New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-15
WOES OF AMERICAN SEAMEN
FOREIGNERS FILLING THEIR PLACES
VESSELS IN THE coAsTINe TRADE OWNED BY

VESSELS IN THE COAsTING TRADE OWNED BY
ALIENs-THE IMMIGRATION INQUIRY.
The Congressional Committee on immigration
got to work in good season yesterday, and a
| good deal of ground was covered during the days
session. A. Packard. the first witness called
| stated that he had been engaged in supplying
ships stores for fifty years. During that time
he had been associated great deal with sea
faring men. American sailors in recent years
were gradually being supplanted by foreigners,
until to-day fully two-thirds Of those sailing In
American vessels aliens.
r. A. Briggs, when examined. said that he
was engaged in the slp-chanders business.
Until three years ago. however. he had followed
the sea for twenty-eght years having commanded
vessels for the last fourteen years. When asked
II he had ever heard Of vessels owned by foreigners
engaged in the cOastlng trade. he said that this
was done, though he had proof Of the fact
Chairman Ford-You say that you arv confident thu,
such IL the case Why you prove the fact II It
a foet7 At Is difficult to ge. proofs bu. could
cite instances that would show beyond question that my
opinion Is correct.
o-Can you givo an example, A.-Tbe ship General |
Mcclellan and bark sold English
They engaged In the eoastiBg trade.
sailing under the American nag
Q-Is no. that a violation OF the law1 At Is an |
evasion.
Of American vessels in many cases for
egncrs. They received hardly nifty dollars
month. They not only threw many Americans
out Of employment, but lowered the wages Of
those who were still retained. He had always
earned 1928 a month captain Of a full-rigged
ship and had left the sea because his employer
cut his wages down TO seventy Ave dollars a
month.
Captain NJ. G. Groce was next called. He had
been captain of various vessels for the last
twenty-five years. Last December he was injured
in the performance of his duties and was forced {
to go TO hospital When he recovered sufficient .
ly to leave the hospital and return to work he !
found his ship, the Gardiner Colby, commanded Z
by Swcde, who, the owners said, gave good /
satisfaction and would be retained in the position.
Since then he had been out of employment,
because he could not support his family on the
low wages offered to him. lie cited several other T
instances where the same thing had happened
Chairman Foriwhat you OF the nationality OF
he crewsl A.-The sailors for the part for
gners-Swedes, Norwegans and Englishmen. The =
'cners and stewards always aliens Some OF them
amt speak English. Within few days an old sea P
aptan told that he had been obliged HIS ship
he Lizzie Moore because a Swede offered command
er for lower wages can mention other cases. Tho H.
'iphony the Andrew Jackson and the Pearl are all com
handed and manned by swedes rlgh. through. m
OTIING DONE BY CUSTOM HOUSE OFFICIALS. fr
The Swede who had supplanted him had since 10
hen manned d rec vessels with his countymen W
t customary for foreign captains to do this
o.-Why have you reported these facts TO the IL,
nIted States ocalsl Al have reported several cases
the Custom House. and nothing ever of IT, 70
ent to the clearance clerk who told no believed
lie had become citizens asked him II he had seen III
er papers lie said tina. he had taken their word FOR
e truth OF their statements When was shipmaster Gle
used TO be forced g. blng responsible people swear
at was citizen whenever took command Of a X
'ssel. ard I Agnc'icsn born Now however | su
ey take foreigners words proof citizenship SV
roe 70 the Collector Boston, asking him TO IN On
stigao the case Of certain captain sailing vessel 10
Tned and manned by foreigners American flag m
received answer that such ship Boston Harbor PHI
knew positively tna she ht1 beer lying thele for two
,eks. s
0-Why did not report the cases to the 70.
Hector OF tho Port Al always tran sacted my
sness with the clearance and thought that he was
man to attend to such case or least 20 call at
ltion to It. AL
o.-What wages do these foreigners receiver A-Mr c
'rse told me that he had Norwegaus and Swedes
mmanding his tug boats who for $40 q month gave We
'r own services and PAID tho wages of three men, be-
es boarding them They live for less than we and
accept such starvation wages We who families -
support cannot live the salaries paid Within 81
rear man into this port captain OF Nova Scotia %
* and went out master American ship lie must Do,
an Englshman ho could no. have commanded the ~
captain Grace called attention to the fact that &
English dredgcr, the State of Alabama COM b.
nded by an Engshman and manned by twenty ~
giish sailors. was lying in the Erie Basin lev
DER contract to dredge Gedney Channel -
SOME WAYS OF INCREASING IMMIGRATION Sc
The afternoon session began with the testimony s.
two young lrishmen who had been induced 70 SC
nc to this country by the glowing pictures of C,
erica which steamship agent had painted for Pan
In They thought that they would make for G eTT
les here in year or two but had not been able sen
get work. B a
Inc Last man TO take the stand was George -e 49,
aschelS He had been a steamship agent in for
ln for six years, and while there had ample
'ortunty to become familiar with the immigra
a question. The Russian and German Govern Nc
ats were aiding Russian and Polish Hebrews nsac
emigrate to America, as those on the Pc
ern frontier of Germany and the western kIn.
lter OF Russia were beyond retaining from ST
miserable state into which they had fallen, Il.
conversations with Russian officials of high Lond
X ne had been told repeatedly that the Rus IL
government would do all In its power TO get '0'
Of this class of citizens They had been shjpted Rio
carloads to the German ports there to be trans for
ed TO America. He had examined the con-
on OF these Hebrews here in New-YorI, and