New-York tribune., 1890-06-08
THE GOVERNMENT DEFIED.
RETURNED CONTRACT LABORERS PUT OFF
THE UMBRIA
SENT BACK TO THE BARGE OFFICE IN TUG
VERNON II. BROWN MAKES EXPLANATIONS
AND pRoMIsEasATHE MEN WILL BE
KEPT AT THE CUNARD coMPANY'S
EXPENSE TILL THEY CAN
BE SENT TO EUROPE.

DE- SrsNI ~ I~OJNOif"
The seven Belgian glass-blowers who were pro-
hibited from landing here because they were con-
tract laborers probably realized yesterday the
narrowing feelings of the Chinaman who found
himself in the middle of Niagara Falls Suspension
Bridge prevented by the law from landing in this
country, and afraid of setting foot in Canada
because he briclSbats iSing in the air for
him there. Collector Erhardt decided Friday
afternoon that the should be sent back &c
Belgium, and Surveyor Lyon gave the Collectors
ordos to several of his men, who took it and es-
corted the Begans aboard of the steamer Cm-
bria, of the Cunard Line on that day at p. m.
This is the usual method of procedure. Besides
that official notice is sent by the Superintendent
of immigration TO the agent of the line concerned.
Vernon ii. Brown, the agent of the Cunard
Line, says that he did not receive this last and
important notice until yesterday. He spent
the night on the steamers pier. and
early yesterday morning discovered that the glass;
blowers were on the steamer. Mr.. Brown told the
Collector and Colonel Weber afterward that there
was positively no for the Belgians in the
Umbria, because all the first and second cabins
had been sold, and the steamer carried no steerage
passengers that trip. Captain Walker. OF the
Barge Office, says that an effort was made TO
shove the glassblowcrs from the steamer upon the
per- DuU IIub ulS OHlCtlS, luoUbAOio No''Ni "''
Kenney, withstood it. But when the Umbria was
in mid-stream the Belgians to Chamber
down her side into the tug Pulver, which steamed
up to the pier at the Barge Og.ce. There Mr.
Milhoand chief Of the Federal inspectors Of the
immigration Service, recognized the cOntract-la~
borers and warned Superintendent Weber OF their
arrival. Colonel Weber dropped his papers ana
even his eyeglasses, and rushed headlong over
trunks and through crowd of immigrants to the
pier
Hi. there he shouted, gesticuating encr-
cetically TO Walters, the dockmaster Of the
Cunard Line who had the tug in charge, don't
YOU dare to land those contract laborers.'
Mr. Brown appeared just then. lie had come
from his office, where he had read the ofhclal
notice from Colonel Weber about the Collectors
decision He hastencd 10 assure Colonel Weber
that the Umbria could not receive the Belglans
because there was room for them, as all the
cabins had been taken and the steamer carried
10 stcerage passengers on that trip.
But" said Colonel Weber, " have no OBJ
jcc,ions. Mr Brown, if you take these people back
as frst-cabn passengers 1t would be much bet
ter for you to break contracts with seven IN
diyicuals than TO break the law of the United
States Government
Colonel Weber informed Mr.. Brown that
any steamship company which knowingly
landed contract laborers rendered itself
liable TO fine of $500 In
each case and the captain of the steamer became
liable to serving a term of imprisonment of SIX
months. Mr. Brown protested that the Cunard
Line had no intention of disobeying the law. ana
would send the Bel gans back 70 Europe at the
earliest day possible. But there was positively
no room for them on the Umbrla. because ne had
not received word in time. Colonel Weber was
Willing to he charitable and he consented that
the Cuuard Line might board the contracts
on Ellis Island until they could be sent back. IL
Collector Erhardt were willing. Mr. Brown has
tened to see Colonel Erhardt, who was exceedingly
indignant Bat after hearing Mr. Browns state
ment he consented to Colonel Weber proposition.
lie directed Colonel Dudley f. Phelps Deputy
Collector of the Law Division. 10 investigate
tie case, and Colonel Phelps took hold Of IL With
hi, CUSTOMARY energy. The Belglans VIII he sent
back 10 Europe either on Tuesday by the Wis
cousin Of the Guion Line, or on saturday py
the Scrvia. of the CInard Line.
While all this was going on. the Begians W we're
drifting around tie Bay in their tug; They
may hc scasck. or homcsick, for all Know
soij Colonel Wchr " hut they can't land nere
The Cunard company has got t. take care OF 1neIn'
and may board them at the Fifth Avenue Hotei,
or send them OF in first cabins, hui no con,rac.
laborers can he allowed TO land while we are mere