The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-15
American Merchant Ships Manned
by Foreign Marine Masters.
They Are Employed on Account OF
Cheap Labor Inducements.
Native Americans Discharged to
Give Place to These Men.
An Irish Immigrant Tells His Story
Being Unable 20 Write. He Was
Deceived by Steamship Agents
and Induced to Como Hore.

NEw NoRR, Aug. l3,-1hc congressional
committee today resumed its investigation
into the evils OF immigration at the West
minister hotel. There were present. Con.
gresham Ford, the chairman; Congress.
man Gucnther and Congressman Spinola.
A. Packard, manufacturer ofship stores,
took the stand aud gave evidence OF his
knowledge of aliens commanding Amcri.
can vessels. Witness had hoard Of many
such cases, and said 1t was common talk
among shipping men OF turning out tho
American commanders 10 make way for
foreigners. The reason of this was that
aliens worked cheaper than natives. Their
salaries ranged from $40 to S75 per month.
The natives whom they drove away re-
scycd from 500 Ia Sl2j monthly. Wit
ness went ON 10 say that foreign crews were
usually engaged by these alien captains.
Two-thirds oi the crews were foreigners,
he said, principally English and Nor
wcgan sailor. This was contrary to law,
witness thought.
Capt Briggs now engaged asa travelling
agent for ship chambers, was the next
witness. lie had been master mariner
lor fourteen years, previous 20 three years
ago. Witness knew ol many cases where
American vessels were bought 10y British
ems. Despite these changes, the vessels
always continued To fly the American htg.
This was 80 that the vessels could engage
IN the coaslwisc trade. Witness also knew
oi instances whcrc alien captains took tho
A N..1f la
that the foreign commanders receive no
more than $50 a month. The majority OF
American coaStWisc captains now work ON
shares. but when paid salaries they get
from so to sl2j month. In reply To MIR
Spinola, witness said the foreign captains
were driving Americans from the com.
mnnd oi vessels. Witness himself had 10
give up his ship because his wages wcrr to
bc reduced from sl2j 30 SS1 month. Ills
place WIS taken by a Norwegian.
Capt. Gruso WIS next examined, and
said that lac know Of several instances
| where American captains had to give wav
| 10 Foreigners The vessel hc himself leit
! WAS the Gardener Colby, and his foreign
sucrpss1r sent abroad Tor his brother ana
changed The crW a. men IT his own nation
atty Witness uportcd these facts IN tho
| crsiumhou-c IN this Ciiv and Boston,
nnd was told that the aliens claimed to bo
Americans lie thought that the clear
nncc nnd ship brokers' Werc in collusiun.
llr never appealed Ia the collector OF tho
pUu because hc thought the clerks had
the power,
James llcghncy, an Irish immigrant Of
very recent urriNHl, said that hC had been
induced tu cmlgialc by the stories told
him hy steamship agents IN Ireland. Agent
u. 4 NH.# III.
| him while hu WIS working, driving q ear,
and told him hc could got from SO b. 80,
a week in this country. Ills wages abroad
was from - shIlliug to - shillugs a
| week. nonncly told aim the passaro
would cnst him 60. and witness saved up
until hC got lD shilliurs la excess Oi tlNt
sum. lie had 80 cculs whom hr arrived
| in this country The steamship agents
Ia Ireland were constantly talking of tho
good wages that could be- received here
| Circulars wcrr also distributed around
containing glowing accounts OF the money
that could bc earned in this country.
Wines said hc could neither read nor
write. since hr came hero hu had not
been able a. get any work. Agents, no
said, were in the habit ~ getting up
patches ul forty OF hiy men fuf every
steamer that leaves Ireland Many ui tho
men Who came to this country were
farmers, who would srll or mortgage their
farms to get money to Cmigr,tc. Agents
NJ the White star line we're equally ~
active ~ the Anchor agents.
Patrick Ca,anaugh, who is living at tho
same place ~ the preceding witness, said
that hc arrived In this country a fortnight
ago.
you'd think" said witness, 'that you
could find gold dollars on the street from
the way These agents talked. Agent
Donnelly, Of the Anchor line, told me |
could .gct good work the moment got 10
this country. | know hundred, Who
came here, some Of lhcm scll their lands
30 got here, aud Donnclly IL in auciioncyr
too. aud lac scUs the land iur them aud
then sells them the ticket 10 come here