The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-27
THE IMMIGRATION INvEsTIa ALTON.
Congressman Oates, of Alabama, Con-
ducts the Examination.

New York, July 26.-Congressman
Oates, OF Alabam, sat with the immigra-
ton investigating committee of Congress
today. Congressman Spinola was the only
absent member Of the committee.
John c. Curtis, who has charge of the
steerage business OF the Cunard line,
was the first witness. The line pays agents
50 a head commission. The line has six
or eight agents here. Their yearly impor-
tations were as follows: For 1888, II ,55S;
1884, s, 427; 1885, 1858; 1886, Is, 66i 1887,
II, 1872 and for six months OF the present
year. 2l,1si. His company employed all
means required by law to prevent the land
ing here OF contract laborers. Last year
the company sold 1900 prepaid tickets.
Ten tickets was the limit of purchaser at
one time. Witness did not know Of any
pool existing between steamship COM
panies to control rates. Physicians under
the English government, who inspected
passengers about TO come here by his line,
confined their labors to finding out il any
person was afflicted with contagious dis
ease. He did not think the doctors both
cred themselves about lame or servile pas
sengers. The object Of the doctors search
was to protect all sailing under the Eng
lish flag.
The Italian vice-consul, Attillio Monaco,
was the next witness. He stated that in
his official capacity he had authority from
his government TO furnish money TO send
back any paupers or disabled countrymen
OF his. There Is no limit placed on tho
amount he shall expend, but il is left en-
| tirely to his own Judgment. He said about
| 80 per cent. OF the Italians coming over
here were farmers, 30 per cent skilled la
borcrs, and the balance day laborers. lie
had about month ago received $1,000
| from his government, TO DO distributed
| among the poor Italians here. This money
was sent TO the consulate by Baron Fava,
| the Italian minister, acting under instruc.
| tons from the home government, and the
money was turned over TO the Italian En-
| igration society for distribution.
SignOr Monaco gave some interesting in
| formation about the manner in which con-
tractors here induced his countrymen 10
emigrate. lie said they would send out
TO Italy TO their agents there to secure a
certain number OF men and send them
over here, paying their passage. Then
the emigrants would agree TO work for him
and pay him anywhere from So to SIS in.
terest for advancing the passage money.
lie said that the men when they arrived
here were entirely ut the mercy OF the con-
tractors, who, as q rule, kept saloons on
Mulberry street. They would put the men
10 work, and all the money for their labor
is paid direct TO the contractor, who would
hold It until they got their money and ex-
horbitant interest back, and then
would get another months pay from them
and then let them go without giving them
any money. This Is not so bad now a II
was three years ago. owing 10 the enforce
ment OF the contract labor law. lie said
that as n rule these contractors kept a
bank, q saloon, n labor bureau and ticket
office oil in one. The Italian people, he
said. were very saving and deposited their
money in these banks, which are under no
supervision whatever. Lately, he said, they
were getting suspicious OF them because
three bankers had within a year past
skipped out without paying up. lie de-
clnrcd that within the past year 1000 10
5000 had applied 10 him for assistance,
aud most OF them were men who could
not get work. The yicc-consul declared
that his government bad repeatedly warned
his counlryincn against the Inducements
held out 10 them 90 emigrate. lie said
that the Italian laborcH saved about IS
cents ont OF every Sl.25 they received.
Commissioner Morrow questioned him
about how the Italians working on the
aqueduct were employed. lie said that
they were employed through the con.
tractor bankers here. Sometimes, he said,
both the contractors who employed the
men and the men themselves paid com.
missions 10 these labor agents.