The evening world., 1891-11-17
Mr.. sCHUl1E|s's CHARGES.
immigration Commissioners Hear
Them Behind Closed Doors.
An Oflcial's Experience in the
Steerago OF the Servia.

The sQuall that blew over the Battery this
morning, scattering angry waves over the
seawall and making things generally disagree
able was like summer calm compared to
the mental disturbance caused In col. Weber's
headquarters at the Barge ONCE by the
sweeping accusations made by Special lmmi-
grafton Commissioner Herman j. Schulteis.
The Commissioner went abroad last sum-
mer with Commissioners Judson n. Cross, OF
Minnesota; Joseph Powderly, OF Pennsyl-
vania, and DR.. Walter n. kcmpster to ex-
anime the European system of gathering
paupers, criminals and helpless children in
Great Britain for shipment to America.
Col. Weber Joined the Commission later, and
all excepting Commissioner Schulteis re-
turned some time ago. The latter who had
been travelling in Holland Italy and Russia
rs well as Great Britai instead OF returning
as saloon passenger on an ocean liner, MS
his colleagues had done, decided to do little
detective work on board ship, and his arrival,
in the guise OF a dirty, unshaven immigrant
on the servia, yesterday, is the cause OF the
present commotion at the Barge ONCE.
When Inspector Lee boarded the Servia
down the bay, Commissioner Schulteis made
himself known and requested him to ask Col.
Weber to hold oil the Servia's 225 steerage
passengers until he could make himself pre-
sentable and appear at the Barge ONCE.
Commissioner schulteis hurried to the
Astor House ana changed his clothes, and did
not reach the Barge ONCE until go III the
afternoon.
schulteis had, he says, previously informed
Inspector Lee that he, himself, was an " as
sisted immigrant, Fart OF his passage money
having been paid by the London Society for
Assisting Friendless Foreigners. He told Col.
Weber, too, that thirty-eight OF his fellow
passengers had their passages prepaid by
people on this side.
Col Weber replied that so per cent. OF the
immigrants had their passage prepaid by
friends and relatives here, and he considered
that TACT evidence that the immigrants were
not likely to become public charges.
Schulteis scrutlniZed the immigrants as
they were landed. but could not prefer
specific charges against any OF them, alleging
that many Immigrants. whom he desired for
witnesses. had been allowed to land, contrary
| to his request.
For this reason, he, said Commissioners
Schulteis, was unable to substantiate his
sweeping charges OF immortality and dissolute
| association OF the Servia's crew with many OF
the scandinavian and Swedish Immigrant
| girls In the steerage.
1t is said that he did, however, point out
| 1ngelborg Petersen. pretty eighteen-ycar-
| old girl, as questionable character, which
| charge she Indignantly denied.
Rev. A. b. Liega, swedish missionary at the
| Barge ONCE, was convinced OF her innocence,
and told an EVENING WORLD reporter that he
| had engaged Lawyer Swanstrom, or lao
Nassau street, TO prefer charges against
Commissioner Schulteis at Washington for
his alleged allegations against the young
| Swedish girl.
Commissioner schulteis denied this MORN
| ing that he had accused any particular girl OF
immortality or mentioned any names.
He declined TO say more until alter he had
made his report to Col. Weber at the meeting
OF the Commission.
The Commission convened at II O'Clock
and previous to the arrival OF the Commits.
| sioners Col. Weber announced that the pro
| ceedings would he conducted behind closed
doors. What would be done he could not say
Col. Weber declined to discuss Commits.
| the latter had exceeded his authority.
| "Iie was not appointed to take passage as {
steerage passenger and pursue his investiga
tions In that manner" continued Col. Weber
| land 1t Is not the province OF the Commission
to notice these allegations that he makes.
"The meeting To-day Is simply an ad
Journed session from that which we he'd last
| Summer In London"
Col. Weber admitted that the object OF tho
Commission was to investigate the system o.
shipping undesirable Immigrants to this
country from Europe, and II this be true II II
| considered an open question by many whether
Commissioner Schulteis has exceeded his au
| thority.
covering that the steerage was In an unsani
tary, not to say tilthy condition; that only
| twenty-five minutes was consumed In vaccl
mating all the steera2e passengers.