The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-23
THE LA GAscoGNE BRIBERY.
SapcIii ArrniEned in New York. But
the Hearing Postponed.


Regarding the charges of bribery at the
New York immigration Office, an official
at the Bureau of immigration said yes
terday that Ernesto Sapelli the steward
on the Compagnie Generate Trans-Atlan-
tic steamship La Gascogne. who was ar
rested on Monday. charged with br;bing
on Sunday Inspector William Junker. of
the United States immigration Service. to
pass nine alien Italians, was arraigned on
Wednesday before United States Commits
sioner Alexander. In the commissioner $
court were Assistant Commissioner OF
immigration +. F. McSweeney and the
counsel for the bureau, DR.. Lorenzo Ullo;
Inspector Junker. and Assistant United
States District Attorney Houghton.
Sapelii opposed an examination on the
plea that he had not secured counsel he
exhibited a letter from b. Bertini. pro-
prietor of the Hotel Campigdolio, who
said that he would have a lawyer in court
when he was examined and said that he
did not know why his friend had failed
to keep his promise. An adjournment was
not opposed by Mr. insolvency and DR..
Uilo and the case went over until this
afternoon.
Sapelli insisted that he was the victim
of his good nature. He had made but one
voyage on La Gascogne, and on Sunday
a man, a Storage passenger, asked him
to see If he could facilitate his getting
ashore. Sapelli then asked Junker, VINO
appeared to be so easy" that when the
steward was asked to do more favors OF
this kind he complied and handed over to
the inspector the money. at the rate OF 30
head, which the aliens gave him. Sa-
pelli denounced the steamship company
for leaving him undefended, but denied
that he would retaliate by telling how the
steerage passengers Jared on their YES
sells.
There is also under Investigation the
case of Syrian afflicted with conta-
gious eye disease. who arrived at the
New York port two weeks ago on the
steamship La Bretagne from Havre. The
man was ordered held by the Marine Hos
pital surgeon, but when Boarding officer
III. H. Moler applied to the steward for
the sick Syrian he was told that he had
vanished from the pier. The vessel and
pier were then in charge of the customs
officials and the latter were Responsible
for the escape. The Syrian has been FOL
lowed TO Blns,io, and II he is not cap
tured the French Line VIII have to pay
fine. If he Is caught he may reveal the
whole scheme and tell how much he paid
to get into the country. There Is no Sus-
picion that Boarding Officer Moler aided
the escape G.. the Syrian. He Immediately
reported the escape and asked for full
investigation. r1-1.-s'
Moler was until recently member OF
the Special Board of Enquiry. but wish
ing a change to outdoor work was trans
ferred by Commissioner Fitchie to board
ing duty.
Charles Levy, of ia East Twenty-see-
end Street who for twenty-five years was
connec ted with the French Line and for
four years acted as landing agent but who
is not now connected with the company,
was at the Battery yesterday. He talked
about the alleged frauds. Levy said he
knew of about 400 cases in which immi-
grants not entitled to land were permitted
to leave the dock on payment of sums
ranging from 81 to $40. He spoke of one
case in which the boarding officer had
taken s. fror, an immigrant, and he said
that the case was reported to the officers
on Ellis Island. but that two or three
days afterward the papers were destroyed.