New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-13
THE OFFENCE OF THE UMBRIA
A LETTER FROM VERNON H. BROWN TO
SECRETARY WINDOW
CAPTAIN M'KAY ACTED UNDER THE ORDERS OF
THE AGENT OF THE cUNARD COMPANY
Mr.. BROWNS REASONS FOR RETURN

THE AGENT OF THE cUNARD COMPANY
Mr. BROWNS REASONS FOR RETURN
ING THE GLAssBLowERs.
The following letter has been written by Vernon II.
Brown agent of the Cunard Steamship Company at
this port, to the Secretary Of the Treasury
New.York, June ~, 1890.
The Hon. William Window, Secretary OF the treasury
Sir: | learn from the Washington correspondence OF
the NewYork papers that resolution has been lhtro
duced in Congress requiring you TO inform the House
whether the Cunard Steamship Company had refused 70
obey orders OF the United States officers reiat'e 70
the return by steamship Umbria of certain passengers
alleged have been landed at New-forK III 'o"0o vi
the so-caled Contract Labor law
In view OF the introduction OF that resolution deem
1t duty myself well to the Cunard Company 70
make the following statement OF facts: 30 lar as the
company and Captain Mckay, OF the Umbria' are con-
cened permit me say they in nowise response
bic for the that was pursued with regau 10 ee
particular passengers Captain Mckay, in Whatever nc
did acted under orders and subject TO my urecoh as
his superior In the premises Although agent luz INC
Cunsrd Steamship Company, am citizen oil the ohiteo
and take deep interest In the enforcement Oh
It's laws and in unfolding the integrity and honor Oh the
nation any other citizen who is impressed as am
with his absolute duty be at all times not only law
abiding determined give assistance 70 the ocefs
the in the enforcement OF that law whatever IL
may be. The facts briefly stated are these;
/ ascertaned at O'Clock SATURDAY morning, Ino
18th inst that alleged contractabo passengers with
their families had been put the Umbrla at New
York the evening Of the 6th under charge OF Gus
officers with the demand that such passengers should
be returned Liverpool by that steamer. No notice
whatever given either the captain 10 Inc
agent Of the Cunard Steamship Company, previous to
placing OF said passengers and their families on board
In the absence OF any such notice provision had been
made the accommodation Of such persons, and
under existing circumstances it was at that time
i'm 10 max
accommodations whatever, which fact had been adj
vertsed for sixty days in advance Of her sailing
date. Every available room in the ship had been
Sold and people be carried it must be on
they would be exposed for eight days
the ycssitudes OF the weather The ship adver-
sed to sail at 80 OF the morning following the night
these passengers put on board Between the time
the put board and the hour sailing 1t
impossible for communicate with the Collector Of
port the Commissioner Of immigration
especially call your attention to the fact that the
gers put board after official business hours were
ended the 9th and before official business hours began
on the eth. These facts l personally explained to the
charge Of the passengers, and no
that in OF their preventing these people
from rclandng at the DOCK should be compelled to re-
land them from before the ship sailed the officers
threatening that any attempt made to roland the
passengers the ship while lying alongside the wharf,
they would prevent 1t force furthermore stated that
under the ship sail until the pas
scngers had rcladed and the ship did not sail until
officers that would be dangerous to disembark the
and children from the steamer to the tug. where
upon the and children relanded at the wharf
without any further protest the officers the
naming on board. l then directed Captain Mckay to
move his ship into and lie there until the tug
alongside and take of the passengers, which
DONE after which the ship sailed. Immediately
called upon Collector Erhardt and Commissioner Weber and
explained to them the facts The Collector received me
cautiously listened aentvey and apparently salts
fed with my explanation The only question which APP
peared to discussion to the custody OF
tho passengers pending their being returned under the
statute claimed that whatever might be the power OF
the United officers, the Cunad Steamship Company
right restrain them Of their liberty Where
upon arranged that the were to be held at Ellis
Island in custody Of the officers until they should be re-
turned to Liverpool Cunard Steamship Company max
ing necessary provision for their maintenance while
there.
Two days later at the expense Of Cunard Company
the passengers put board the GuOn steamship
Wisconsin sailed for Liverpool the Collector having
issued the necessary permit This believed at the Time
and believe all that the law required. There
any intention my part TO violate either the
letter the spirit OF the law, and fail to see that there
has been in fact any violation in the present
/ may permitted let call your attention 10 the
phraseoocy the statute is follows THE expenses
of the aforesaid persons not permitted to
land shall by the OF the vessel in which
they came" with regard TO this particular provision
understand IT, these passengers technically
landed and that far the expense is concerned that
expense been borne by the Cunad Steamship Company
nhe provision OF the statute is follows: The
such expense shall not thereafter be
permitted land clear from any port OF the United
States and such expense shall be lien the said vessel
With regard TO this beg say that officer rcprescn-
tatve OF the Cunad Steamship Company has refused
pay expenses and It Is the desire OF the Cunard
Steamship Company we'll my purpose a citizen,
all times conform both TO the letter and spirit OF the
law
have necessarily been Obliged 10 Inform myself as to the
legal meaning and purport OF this statute and have been so
informed from the time OF its passage am advised by
counsel that the statute does not require that such psssen
should be returned by particular ship but simply
they should be returned and at tho expense OF the
bringing This has been done in the present
case.
apparent circumstances arise which would
physically impossible return passengers by the
ship as I'm the present case and that under such
circumstances shat be done return them
the earliest possible thereafter and that such
turn at later injury to one, provided
the object OF the law accomplished namely. that the
are returned and that the Government is put
10 no expense whatever the premises 1t might have
been possible had been informed at proper me to have
provided for these passengers but not notified
A. matter o, fact official notice not received
BY me until after the ship had actually sailed.
now respectfully submit the foregoing statement and
request that in Of the passage Of such resolution
md your rendering O report to the House in conformity
with its terms that may have the opportunity OF being
heard and producing my before such report be
sent In have the honor remain your obedent
want. NEhNON H. BhOWN.