The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-06
STOPPED BY AN INSPECTOR
A Philadelphia Merchant Detained
at New York.
The immigration officials Feared
That nm Artificial Left Arm Might
Make Him Public Charge-The
Passengers Release Ordered Later


NEW YORK, April 5.-Albert Priest
man, Philadelphia dry goods man, well
| to do, and the head of family, all of
! whom, except himself, were born on
American soil, was taken into custody by
an inspector of immigration on his leav
| ing the steamship Germanic on Thursday
| afternoon.
The inspector decided that although Mr..
| Priestman Travelled first cabin and eXhib-
tied a certified draft for $4,000 as evil
! dence of his ability to provide for himself
for little while at least, there was dan
ger of his becoming a public charge be-
cause his left arm had been amputated,
! thus handicapping him in the race for
employment. Mr.. Priestman has lived in
Philadelphia for fifteen years, but is still
British subject.
The Philadelphia man had a lot of bag
gage with him when he got in. With all
other passengers he had to undergo
medical examination as the law requires.
The examination is cursory for American
citizens arriving here from foreign shores,
but for a foreigner it may mean deporta-
ton. The official of the Marine Hospital
Service who examined Mr.. Priestman was
DR.. Stearns.
Mr.. Priestman has been travelling back
and forth over the ocean for twelve years
and is familiar with the legal exactions
which have been gradually piling up at
American ports During most of that
time he has worn an artificial left arm,
because an explosion shattered his own.
On his arrival on Thursday for the first
time in his voyaging the immigration in
spection authorities evolved the suspicion
that his artificial arm VAS a menace to
tic frTfr ~
had completed his examination he turned
his report over to Inspector O'Connor,
who is said to have been in the service
three months.
When O'Connor told Mr.. Priestman that
he must submit to detention and prepare
to go to Ellis Island for examination and
investigation he said some very forcible
things. After a while, he says, he tried
argument on O'Connor. 1t did no good.
Mr.. Priestman protested, the purser of
the Germanic protested and the superin-
tendent of the White Star pier protested,
but O'Connor could not be moved. Finally
it was agreed that Priestman should be
| paroled over night in the custody of
Superintendent John PenneI
The defence of Priestman. as far as the
| White Star Line was concerned. was
turned over to Lawson Sanford Secretary
Mediterranean Steamship Companies The
| conference is sort of pool for regulating
passenger rates.
Early today Mr.. Priestman and Secre-
tary Sanford went over to Ellis Island
Commissioner Fitchie and Assistant Com
missioner Sweeney had both heard of his
detention, and were really anxious to
set him free as quickly as possible.
The interview began with apologize
statements by Commissioner Fitchie He
explained that the Marine Hospital Ser
vice examiner had acted quite properly,
but that the doctor and O'Connor were
new hands. There was a lot of discus
sion, which ended in Mr.. Priestman sub
hitting to examination in an office
adjoining that of Commissioner Fitchie
After the examination Secretary Sand
ford and Mr.. Priestman returned to this
city. Mr. Priestman Immediately started
for his home in Philadelphia. Commits
sioner fitchie and Assistant Commission
er Sweeney told reporters afterward
that Inspector O'Connor had acted cor
rectly and within the law, but should
have used judgment.
Mr.. insolvency said there was an i'm
preston that passengers in the first and
second cabins of the steamships were not
subject to the immigration and health
laws. The impression is quite erroneous,
Mr.. Insolvency. said.
An immigration official said of Mr..
Freshman: We'll it seems to me that
a man who has family in Philadelphia
and who has earned living in this coun-
try for twelve years and refuses to be-
come citizen ought to be held up