Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-28
WOES OF The DREDGERS
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST EMPLOYERS
AT THE OYSTER BEDS.
Police of Washlngten In Possession of
Important InformatiOn-The
Herxag Case.

Officials of the local police department are
| unable to understand why the authorities
of Maryland and Virginia have not taken
decisive action against abe men on oyster
boats who are charged with maltreating
those under them, the case of the unfor-
tunate man Edward Herzog being cited as
an example. Happening on the river, and
in many instances miles distant from the
headquarters of the county officials, the
sheriffs and constables cannot always ar
rest the assailants Of the comparatively
friendless dredgers, but it is believed there
are instances where prompt action would
effect capture
those who meet with misfortune along
the lower Potomac and are dumped ashore
anywhere within hundred miles of this
city usually make their way here. Upon
their arrival they are cared for and are
usually given transportation to their homes.
When Herzog arrived here more than two
weeks ago, Major Sylvester took personal
interest in his case, not only to see that
he received the best treatment possible, but
also TOOK steps to have his alleged aSSail-
ants apprehended. Following up the case
captain Boardman has obtained testimony
winch Will no doubt greatly assist the Vir-
glnia authorities in the matter of prosecu-
lions.
Tender of Aid Suggested.
oSSdusc VI tHe manner IN WHICH THESE
cases have been saddled upon the District
1t has been suggested that Major Sylvester
tender the services Of detective or two to
go down the river and assist the Virginia
authorities. Knowing considerable about
the case, 1t is believed they could render
valuable assistance. Governor Tyler, as
printed In The Star several days ago, has
promised to do everything in his power to
lana the guilty parties in court. This is
only one of several similar cases of the
Kind which have claimed the attention of
the police this season
These cases came to attention earlier this
winter than usual. AS rule the first VIC
TINS OF ill-usage do not appear until the
Ice forms, and then they come to the city
a1oot, with frost-bitten feet, ears or hands.
In many cases amputation has followed,
but the police do not recall any cases in
which death occurred. 1t is fortunate for
many of these sufferers that the crews Of
some of the river boats are made up of
men who are willing to lend them a help
ing hand. Men on the river boats fully I'M
derstand how some of the oystermen are
treated. and they also realize that heroic
methods are necessary in dealing with the
captains of some of the craft.
The list of victims of the oyster dredgers
includes many people who have seen better
days. According to the information fur
nlshed by those who have come here to be
cared for, the practice of getting men from
Baltimore to the oyster beds under alleged
false pretenses has been INDUCED In for
several years.
The Men Deceived.
The police have frequently been told
by the victims that they started off on
the boats with the understanding that they
were to be taken down the bay to do work
of an entirely different character, but the
result was coercionSinto the service of the
oyster men. Objection to dredging or Gull
ing oysters was of avail in any case
and from am until 10 p.m, the men were
required to work. sometimes in weather
that was freezing cold. The diet seemed
to be insufficient for a working man, but
a dredger who was caught eating an oys-
ter expected and usually received severe
punishment.
Several Washingtonians have been among
those who claimed to have been shang-
haied, and they showed physical evidence
in support of their assert IONS Only a few
days ago a colored dredger from Balti-
more alleged that he had beenss shot three
times in the chest and side by the CAPTAIN
OF an oyster boat. He said he was as
saulted because he informed the CAPTAIN
that he would work no longer and Shat
he was going to return home.
Several oyster captains have been fined
In the Baltimore courts for cruelty during
recent years. A report from Cambridge
early this week gave information of the
shooting of a colored dredger by the cap
tain OF an oyster boat, but it is believed
10 w