New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-29
Gee YoO concealed Weapons Robert p steinbeck' George
DEyoUNCIyG THE SHIPPING ICE.

MAss-MEETING OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF TUE
COMMISSIONERS OFFICE CRITICISED.
m1ss-meetng of sailors was held at CosmopoIl-
tan Hail at East Broadway and Catharine-st' yes
terday afternoon, at which the Shipping ACT Oh
1872 was denounced. There were present aoo"'
125 sailors. all sober and well-behavcd. stephen
Donnely acted as chairman. aud introduced James
j. Ferris. wbo in the course of his remarks, sa'u
81 hoped that the Shipping Law of 1872 would turn
out well for the sailors, butt did not. Underline pres
ent law you cannot get berth on ship without
sacrificing half months pay. All these abuses
have grown up under the law am now awaiting
Mr.. Blss's order to 90 to Washington and argue inc
amendment to that law. which is now before COM
mttee of the House of Representatives. ms
amendment is known as the Cox bill' Ii provides
for the appointment by the Secretary of the Treas
ury of Shipping Commissioners, at salaries not eX-
ceeding $50, 800 each per year. 1t reduces the fees
for shipping and discharging sealnen 10 One-nnall
their present rates and transfers the shipping Once
TO the Custom House. 1t also provides tla' ~, :"
the wages and effects OF deceased seamen, II uh
claimed for six years. shall be credited to the Innd
for the relief of sick and disabled seameh Oh INC
merchant service. If this amendment Is phsseu
IL will mt an end TO the absorption ny Commas
sioner Duncan and his sons. who are drpuiy
commissioners, of from $4,000 10 $1o,OOV yearly
The unclaimed wages and effects OF deceased seancn
will then go for shpwrecked seamen, ana nor ln.o
Mr.. Duncan's pocket. If you are dlssatlshe1 WIN
your treatment bv deputy. there is no relief ~ an
appeal TO the commissioner for 1t isn't likely that
father is going to override his son. Again, abuses
will never come 10 an end until the shipping Once
is moved off of Cherry-st. In Washington Mr.. Dun
can admitted that he was president of tue assocla-
ton which leased the building 10 the Government:
In other words lac transfers 50 800 from one pocket
to the other for the rent Of the building Mr. Dun
can claims that in 1878 he paid 5000 INTO the Treas
ury-thc unclaimed wages and effects OF deceased
sailors According 10 the United States treasurer
however, only $40 90 paid IN. The CHARGE. TOO
hat unfit a m -
absurd. The sailors boarding-houses pay n license
of 500 each 10 the Board of Commissioners Tor
licensing Sailors Boarling-Ilouses, and the proceeds
of these licenses, which have Ostcnslbly gone LOT
the relief Of sick and destitute sailors as matter
of fact have been absorbed by the members OF the
board. No sailor has received Q dollar OF II, ana
there are traces in the County Clerks office OF only
S92 70. When ! learned these facts was APP
pointed the board by the proper authorities as
liz man to reorganize it. / bounced these two
'kingpins.' Duncan and his ally. George w. Blood
Two Others worse than they. If possible, were APP
pointed. and left III disgust
Resolutions were adopted dcnouncing the act OF
1872 and approving the Cox amendment ana IN
trusting the management of the case ut Washing
ton with Mr.. Ferris, after which the meeting ad-
Journcd.