New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-08
ONLY FOUR IMMIGRANTS.
THE COMMITTEE EXPECTED TO FIND 400.
A TRIP DOWN THE BAY TO MEET THE INDIA
FURTHER TESTIMONY.

FURTHER TESTIMONY.
The Committee immigration began the investigar
ton yesterday with Mr. Colcazer on the stand whose
testimony had not all been taken when the meeting adj
journed the day before. The examination had hardly
begun, however, when Chairman Ford announced that
the meeting would stand adjourned while the committee
and the reporters went down the bay to board an i'm
migrant steamship. Tho committee visited newly
arrived steamer, the Alexandria on Sunday. July 20.
shortly after her arrival, but found only one storage
passenger aboard This time they determined TO steal
march the steamship company and 60 out to meet
the india which ght to have some 400 storage
passengers on board. when the United states rev.
cutter Washington made fast to tho side Of the
India the officers and crew Of the vessel looked cooy
over the ships side and waited for developments 1t
found that the India carried only four STORAGE
passengers and these were Austrans. The committee
returned at once TO the Westminster Hotel, where the
investigation continued
The first witness called a brokendown Irish
man, slxty-two years old, who gave his name as Will
lam Penny He testified that he TO this country
three years ago. The money for his passage had been
sent to him by son and daughter who lived hero.
They met him at Castle Garden, but had never sup
ported him or given him any assistance. He did not
know where either OF them now lived lie had not
done any work since his arrival and for the last three
months he had been In the workhouse on the Island
The case Of James Lees & Son was next taken up.
The hearing had been today but by some mis-
take one OF the witnesses appeared on Monday Inc
committee consented to hear the testimony Oh Albert
bedford then, and to continue the examination yesor
day Bedford tated when examined that he had been
employed as hone-drawer' In worsted factory al
Kiddermlnstcr England He earned four shllings
week and when a Mr. Grcatwich, friend OF his, told
him that he knew of opening in America where he
could earn four pounds week, he decided to como to
this country. He did not como by storage ana pald
his OVID passage. When he landed he was taen 10 the
Custom House answered all the questions that wore
as hed HIM This done he went at once TO bridgeport
to begin work with his new employers, James Lees
& Son.
John webb a worsed worker, OF Bridgeport testified
that the firm of John Lees S had been importing
skilled labor from England for three years at the least
There were plenty OF skilled wooworkers In this coun
try. lie believed that Greatwch was their agent, or
John Lees himself had told him that Greatwoh re-
ceved a salary from the firm. lie had known that
bedford had been sent for to take position IN tho
mills.
Mr. Colclazer stated in his testimony that he hah
called upon Dr. John Lees last Sunday in reference TO
the Bedford case. Dr. Lees had said that he intended
TO get more men from England He would adVeruse
for them Stating the conversation, the witness sao
Did you make q contract with Bedfordl' asked
"Non
Have you ever offered men money to come 10 you
al offered man money once but that was before
the bill in regard to contract labor was passed"
The witness was then examined in regard to the
italian and Hungarian laborers In the coal regions o
described their manner OF living, the amount OF their
wages and their general condition. They were cheated
y their bosses and dcfrauded by the mine operators
by sharp practices against which they were helPnss
James Crcedman was questioned about the IIahdhs
and other foreign labOrers I'm Pennsylvania lie cor
roloraied the ties timOny OF Mr. Coclalcr e wa, tnen
asked Ia describe the tour Of inspection taken Dy INC
committee himself and Others through MulorrrS-st
THIS part OF the examination was confined To d.sclIP
lion OF the degradation and squaOr OF those VINO oc
cupv The worst OF the Mnlherryst tenemeht-ho
The meeting then adjourned until this morning.