The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-12-29

precious gan- sold he sailors stolen
from the ssar II france for $50 each.
Of which amount these sailors got
but a rew dollars eed fev drinks Of
vile whssEey
To tag WHiniuated it may ne saiG
thai his sort of thing is going Oh in
all the ports where deep-water ships
and the presence OF such
men seems 10 be i necessary evil It
also may be said that mild form OF
the same style Of business has been in
operation in this place ever since the
large ships began 10 come here 10 load
sugar for the Atlantic ports Of the
United States. and this apparently
right under the protecting wing Of tha
local police But there is really no
excuse for such a state Of things in
this snug little island port, If the 20
lice will brace up and do their duty,
by making it so uncomfortable for
deserving sailors that they will
soon find the best place IS on
board their ships.
It is very certain that the we'll
meaning and benevolent persons
who are responsible for the exist
ence of the so-called Sailors Home"
never intended that it should be
put to such vile use as TO
serve as base OF operations for a
gang of sailor robbers. After MAX
ing many enquiries, I am informed that
very few sailors stay there, and only
those who are sent there by their Con-
suls will stay there any time. The
place is not now, nor ever has been,
Sailors Home" Under suitable
management it might be made what
its name implies. 1t should be made
a marine labor exchange. Mates, sea-
men, boys and cooks boarding there
might inscribe their names in a regis
ter kept for the purpose, stating age,
nationality, name of last ship, posi-
ton wanted, references, ii any, and
any other remarks as to qualifica-
tions for the position required. Mas
tiers of vessels could then make their
selections without the intervention OF
any middle-man. and the cost would
be nothing to either party.
The police authorities of this place
are in a better position to protect
ships and sailors than any place | can
think of just now, and, II the local
laws are not sufficiently strong, others
should be added to the statute book.
With that idea in view | would sug-
gest for the consideration Of the law
making authority that 1t be made q
misdemeanor. punishab1 after convic-
ton by fine or Imprisonment, for any
one to aid and abet or in any manner
assist any one to desert from any yes
sci which has arrived in this harbor
from any foreign port.
All foreign vessels and every Amer
lean vessel from foreign ports should
furnish to the Chief of Police or Mar
shall list comprising the names OF
every member Of the ships company
and before any such vessel Is granted
a clearance from the Custom house the
master should be required to exhibit
to the Collector Of Customs a certifi-
cate from the Marshal or Chief of Po-
lice certifying that all OF the crew
which arrived in the vessel are on
board outward bound or in some way
satisfactorily accounted for, and for
each one missing or not on board or
satisfactorily accounted for the master
shall pay no less a penalty than $50.
no one to be discharged from an
American vessel from a foreign port,
his term of service ends here, except
by consent of the Chief of Police; and
no one to be discharged from foreign
vessel except on approval OF his Con-
sui and the Chief of Police.
It is my impression that there are
laws enough in existence here cover
ing the points mentioned if properly
enforced. But the idea of fining the
Nq
duction of any member Of his inward
crew | have suggested for the protec-
ton of the men because the sailors are
not always in the wrong. Some UNI
scrupulous masters, particularly Of for
eign vessels, find it convenient and
profitable sometimes to make it SO in
tolerably disagreeable for the men on
board that they are glad to have the
chance to desert, leaving behind sever
al months of more or less hard earned
wages. A $50 fine would make such
work Improbable.
Now a few words about the Sailors
Home: It Is very favorably situated
for its purpose, and, under suitable
rules, can be made real home for
sailors. The only strict rule which
should be enforced is that requiring de-
cent and respectable behavior. Jack
does not like to be bound by hum
dred petty requirements of no particu-
lar consequence, and he will never
make 1t home If he is SO bound. One
large room might be separate as
reading-room, also supplied with a
few games for their amusement; some
what on the lines of the Seamen's Club.
This, I am told, has proved to be
very gratifying success, thanks to
those good people who have given
their time. talent and their means to
make it. so.
The cause of the lack Of success of
the Sailors Home" is its lack of pow
er~to enforce collection Of its bills. Be-
ing ~.semi-public institution 1t ought
to~have had some official protection
and Encouragement. It's accounts are
what a1ways~must be considered doubt