The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-18
INFESTED WITH TRAMPS.
Chaplain IVerSOn RepudiateS a Charge
Against the Port Society.

It Was Claimed That Partially Was
Shown Norwegian Sailors While
Americans Were Denied the Privi-
Ieges of the Rooms-Mr. Iverson Says
the Charge is the Work of a Tramp
Who Was Refused Free Lodging.
He Denies That Any Partially is
Shown to Seamen of Any Nation.
1t seems that the Port Society and Sail
ors' Home, on Bay street, has had some
trouble with tramps of late, and as re-
suit a notice was posted in the halls of
| the society on Bay street yesterday
warning loafers that they would not be
tolerated around the ooms.
The writer of an anonymous communi-
cation to the MORNING News, states that
it is his belief that the Port Society free
reading rooms is resort for Scandina-
Wan loafers and deserters of Swedish
and Norwegian vessels. He says they
enjoy the privileges of the place, while
distressed American sailors are regarded
there with mistrust and suspicion.
The communication said that the chap.
lain agreed to make a fire one day last
week for a party in the rooms, provided
all but these foreigners are refused lodg-
ings in the building when they are asked.
1t goes on to state that there was a
luncheon there New Years day, from
which Americans were excluded, and that
the American sailors believe they are NAL
treated because the funds of the soci-
ETY. are raised by Americans, while they
do not enjoy the same privileges as the
| foreigners.
SAYS 1T WAS WRITTEN FOR SPITE.
Mr.. H. Iverson, chaplain of the Port
Society, was asked yesterday about the
statements contained in the communica-
ton. He laughed when told about the
matter and said it was the attempt of
| some tramp who had been denied the
privileges of the society to procure re-
venge.
1--WE have been annoyed by tramps for
some time past" MIR. Iverson said, ''by
tramps who insist on coming to the
rooms and last night l brought the mat
ter to the attention of the board of di-
| rectOrs, who are in session. They put
the matter entirely in my hands after di-
recting me to post notices in the halls,
warning tramps and loafers that they
| were not allowed.
Il have allowed them all the latitude
possible, but they went too far, and l was
compelled to put a stop to it. These
tramps are dirty, lousy set, without a
change of clothes, and they come here
and settle down on me and try to beat
| their way.
'Ihaveh had three Norwegian sailors here
| lodging for several days, but they have
all paid for their lodging, and this money
goes to the support of the So
ciety. I haven't given free lodg-
ing to Norwegian for some
weeks, but have given free lodging to
Americans several times this year.
| have turned out within the last two days,
an Englishman and German, who had
| been here month and who didn't pay a
cent for their lodging.
THOSE CHRISTMAS AFFAIRS.
THAT is the work of tramps," reiter-
! ated Mr.. Iverson, who have been re-
| fused free lodging here The sailors who
came here are generally respectable
class and they can't put up with so many
tramps and loafers. The society has left
! the matter in my hands and will surely
put up the notices today. The vessels
are troubled in the same way
with these tramps. They go down on
| board and beg their meals when the sail
ors are eating. These tramps are of all
| nationalities Norwegian, German, En-
| glish, American and others, and they beat
| their way from place to place without
| working for what they get.
Il certainly show no partiality against
any nationality of sailors. There are few
| American sailors, but they all know they
are as welcome here as Norwegians or
any others. Christmas day the ladies
prepared dinner for over $50 sailors. l
went down along the wharves and invited
| those from every vessel and steamship
in port to come up to the rooms of
! the society, and all were given a dinner
! New Years day small box of presents
| arrived from Norway for some of the
| sailors of that country who were here,
and they were distributed in my private
room to those for whom they were sent
| One of the sailors treated his comrades to
coffee on that occasion, and that was all
| there was of it,"
Mr.. Iverson was very indignant that
! such a complaint should have been made,
and said it could easily be accounted for
! by the explanation he had given.