The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-18
What Congress Has Done for
Him in This Vicinity.
Captains OF Vessels Don't Like the
Condition Of Affairs.
Difficulties Attending the Getting Of a
Crew I'm This Port.

1t is said that the present state OF mari
time affairs at this port is not conducive
to an increase in shipping trade, and the
better care OF "poor Jack Tar" are in a
manner the prime cause for this condition.
During tho past two weeks more than
one captain has said that he would not
come to this port again il he could get
charter elsew here, because it Is so hard to
get crew.
Persons ashore are not generally aware
Of just how the laws stand at present, but
II the Same state OF affairs exists in all sea-
ports the merchants and boards of trade
would do we'll to look into the matter.
One of the new laws does away with the
payment of "advance money" This
would not seem to affect the captains or
owners OF vessels, but il worries boarding
house keepers, and should such harbor
sailor for any length of time he can by
law collect but 81 OF the amount due for
board. In consequence ii is not always
% easy for a sailor to secure lodgings as
in the past, so that unless he has money
he is but little better than tramp, and n
sailor with money few hours after being
on shore Is something of a novelty.
Another new law Is that sailor need
not 20 aboard OF q vessel after he has
signed articles unless he feels SO disposed,
but before the new law was passed he was
liable to arrest if he did not go. On the
other hand he cannot be discharged by
tho captain for any cause unless q sum
equal to round trip is paid him. This,
the owners and captains claim, is not
equitable or just.
Here is fair sample of the working OF
the new law: On Monday, April s, Cap
tain Frankenberg engaged a crew of five
men for his schooner, Elm City. The
captain expected to get away every day,
but did not get his cargo disc charged until
the following Saturday. Just before he
got ready to sail the five men left the
boat, called upon United states Attorney
Charles f. German, and told him that
they had left the vessel because they were
sick. Then the captain received the fol-
lowing communication:
Office of the L. S. Attorney
District of Rhode Island
Providence, Il. l., April l3, 1895.
Captain Fankcnberg:
The bearers say they are sick and cannot
go with you. If they are honestly sick they
should be paid for the time they have worked.
Yours, &C.,
c. L. GoRMAN.
U. ). Attorney.
"Now," says the captain, "what do you
think of that-when five men
are taken suddenly i'll and go TO the
the United States Attorney and he sends
such letter TO you? All thare is about it,
must pay them; for IL don't tbcy can
libel my schooner. ! must give bonds,
and they can go where they like, for they
have nothing at stake. Why not make
them do as they make us do-give bonds
that they will appear at the time the
case comes TO trial? But no; the sailor
has no money and us poor devils must
pay the bills. This sort OF work will
drive every decent man out of the busi-
ness, and it does seem as IL that is lust
what the present administration is trying
10 do.
Again" continued the captain, "if
60 up to your hotel and stay week and
don't pay my bill there will be trouble,
but sailor can board just as long, or
longer, and when he gets ready to go he
eau hand the landlord 81 and walk out.
ii would not seem so hard II sailors were
Americans. or even American born, but
the majority OF them are the scurf Of the
earth.'"
The captain also said: III like your