Telegram-herald., 1888-08-15
WHY SOME IMMIGRANTS COME.
steamship Agents Actively at Work
Among the Foreixnsrs

ctennshfp Agents Actively AZ Work
Among the fereixnsra
Nxw YORK, Aug. 1.-The Congressional
Com mittee today resumed its Investigation
Of the evils of immigration. Several wit
nesses gave evidence of knowledge of aliens
commanding American vessels at salaries
ranging from so to S75 msnth, while the
natives whom they displaced received from
500 70 Sl25. An IFfsn emigrant of recent
arrival, testified that he vas induced to
emigrste by an agent of the Anchor Line
who told him be could get from SIC to Sl4
in this country. The steamships agents
in Ireland are constantly talking of wages
that could De received here. Circulars are
also distributed around containing glowing
accounts of money that could be earned in
this country. The witness said that he
could neither read nor write. Since ne
came here ne hId not been sble 10 get work.
The agents be said, were in the habit OF
getting up patches Of forty or fifty men for
every steamer that leaves Ireland. Many OF
tbs men who came TO this country were
farmers, who would sell or mortgage their
farms to get money to enigrats. The agents
OF the White Star Line were equally as
active as the Anchor Line agents.
Captain Briggs, now engaged as travel
ing agent for ship chambers. was the next
witness. He had been . master mariner for
fourteen years. previous to three years ago.
Witness knew of many cases svhereAmericRn "
vessels were bought by Britisaers. Despite
these changes. the vessels always continued
to Gy the American flag. This was so that
the vessels could engage in the costwise
trade. Witneis also knew of instances
whsrs alien captains took the places of
natives. de felt safe in saying that these
foreign commanders received more than $50
month. The majority Of American coast
wise captains now work on shares. but
when paid salaries they got from s75 to
Si25 a month. Ia reply TO Mr.. Spinola,
witness said the foreign captains were
driving Americans from command of
vessels. Witne-, himself had to give up his
ship because his wages we're 70 be reduced
from slZ5 TO $50 . N onth. His place was
taken by a Norwegian.
Captain Gross was next examined and
said that he knew OF several instances where
American captains had 10 give way to for
signsrs. The vessel be himself left was the
Gardner Colby. and ais foreign successor
sent abroad for his brother and changed the
crew 70 men Of bis own nationality. Wit
ness reported these facts in the Custom
House in this city aud in Boston, and he
vas told that the aliens claimed TO be
Americans. He thought that the clearance
and ship brokers we're in c0liusion. He
never applied % the Collector of the Port
because he thought the clerks had the
power
Patrick Cavsnsugh, Who 10 living st the
sane place a. the Irish s1ljSrant sad that
hs arrived in this country a fortnight ago.
'IoG'd think, nid witness, "th.t you
eould ind gold dollars IA TIE street from
the way these agents sslrss Agent Dom
nelly Of the Anchor line, told me I could
gst work tas moment got 70 sais country.
[ xnew hundreds who came hsrs. Some Of
them sell their and % get here snd Don
nelly = an auctfoaesr. too. and be sells The
ncket TO come here.