The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-14
Woes OF THE SAILORMAN
His Lot When in the Boarding
House Keepers Hands.
Effects of LAW Passed for the Pro-
lection of Deep Water Tnriners-
Runners and Their InsinuatinE
WayS-Nen Forced to Sen Against
Their wiii-Process of shnnghninE.

laws are passed against them the sailors
life will be a whisky bounded paradise in
comparison The cause of their present
encouragement is a law just taking effect
which prohibits the boarding house run
ners from visiting vessels before they
reach the docks. II this act is enforced
tne whole boarding house system will be
dIsorganized, and the worst OF it is that
the leaders have as yet found no new sys-
TEN to substitute for it.
For years and years the boarding house
fore they got into the harbor. The houses
which are members OF the Boarding House
keepers Benevolent Association have
erected clubhouse on the Staten Island
shore, whence the runners put out in small
boats when vessel passes in They first
find out If there are sailors on board who
have visited this port before. These be-
long to the house lhat shipped them in
the past The new sailors are secured by
the present of bottle of whisky, and
those who accept it are pledged to go to
the house which makes the present. They
may not get ashore for week, but they
belong to the house which sent the whis-
ky, and the runner will fight for his men.
Sometimes a sailor accepts more than one
present, and he is very likely to find him
self the central point in a tug-of-war con-
test when he finally gets ashore.
Ii has also been the custom to take
many men ashore in the runners boats.
The runners tell the sailors OF the fine
times they can have on shore, of unlim
tied whisky and beer which will be sup
piled them. of the pretty girls who attend
sailor dances, of the fine meals that will
be furnished them. II does not take much
of this kind of talk to convince the sailor
that he would 90 well to pay his captain
s. for an immediate release. He may make
the objection that he won't have any
money for four days but the boarding
house men promise to advance all neces-
sary funds and usually carry off a good
portion of the crew This new law which
prevents boarding vessels in the stream
Will DO away with this practice. and this
is another cause Of grief.
If the boarding house. runners have to
wait till the sailors reach the docks there
will be war between the outside and inside
men. The insiders are those keepers who
belong to the association. They have
political pull, it is said. do larger bust
ness, and have better houses. The outside
man is always making an uphill fight. and
will have much better chance if every
body has 20 stay on shore. Already thers
has been one big fight between the two
factions. 1t was over some British sailors
who landed at Twenty Street, Brook
Ign. Some blood was shed before the out
siGers got away with their sailors. but no
one dreamed of calling for the police or
asking the courts for warrants for assault.
1t seems to be part of the business to take
things as they come and keep as far away
from the law as possible. There are sixty
five regular sailors boarding houses in this
city and Brooklyn, and thirty-ive other
places which pay some attention to the
business; between three and four hundred
men are interested in the business.
There Is a difference of opinion among
the officials who look after the shipping
of sailors as to whether the new law will
help them much. About the only good
time the sailor has on shore is during the
few days which he spends under the wing
OF his clearinghouse master before he
has received mis- pay. Nothing is too good
for him II he has three or four months
wages coming to him. He has unlimited
credit at the nearest saloon. He gets a
new outfit of store clothes, and has his
picture taken at places which pay the
boarding house men a commission. A few
dollars are advanced TO him, for which
he pays 100 per cent interest. Most OF
his money IL gone by the time pay day ar
rives. The boarding. house keepers turn
in to help him spend what remains, for.
in their opinion. the only good sailor Is
tbs one who is broke. They keep him
for three or four days after his money is
gene. then take him before the Shipping
Commissioner and have him sign new ar
ticles. The sailor is entitled to months
advance and the keeper always has Dill
for board lodging. and outfit. which COW
ers the full amount. An allotment note
is turned over to the master. which is
paid when the ship gets to sea. The Off
Gals say that the sailors ray will dis
appear just as rapidly if he does not get
ashore till the boat docks as it did when
the runners brought him ashore from the
ship. They think there will be more sail
or robbeTies If he does not have good
time on credit. There is also some doubt
as to whether the law will he enforced.
Some of the runners are still going out
to ships, but the majority are waiting on
shore and swearing at the lawmakers.
The sailors boarding houses in New YORK
centre in Cherry Street, and in Brooklyn in
Furman and Van Brunt Streets. These are
the regular houses which employ two or
three runners. a housekeeper, cook, and
several walters. They resemble cheap hotels
ia a way, but most OF them are kept
cleaner The desire of foreigners to live
among their own people has resulted in the
establishment OF Swedish. Norwe gian. Jap
auese. English. and French boarding
houses. In Cherry Street thsre is. even
Chinese boarding house, where stewards
and cooks are taken care OF while charging
ships. The Filipino sailors stay at the jap
anese boarding houses. of which there are
several in Cherry Street Scattered about
the water front are many irregular houses
which take sailors whenever they can get
them, and do not hesitate to commit out
right robbery II they can get the sailors
money In no other way.
John f. Dunphy, who keeps the New
Sailors Home at 175 Cherry Street is at
the head of the boarding house keepers IN
this city He is president OF their society,
and mas become rich out of the business
He shows great skill In handling the other
masters. and can persuade sailor to ship
when all others fail. He is very careful in
his dealings and has managed to keep out
of the Commissioner court.
The japanese boarding houses have been
doing a wonderful business since trade
with the Philippine Islands began to open
up. Nearly all the ships which go to the
Far East return with mixed crews OF Fill
pinos and Japanese. The men are good
sailors but must have their fling on shore
like their deep water brethren of other
nationalities. They are not SO easily per
Euaded into spending money. however, and
usually get away from { is city with more
money than does the ordinary sailor.
They are great gamblers among them
selves and put in most of their time in
the dingy offices of the Japanese board
ing houses playing strange games of cards
and dice.
Il shortage of sailors is expected during
the coming winter, and many shipping peo-
pie believe that the boarding house mas