New-York tribune., 1901-09-01
A STEERAGE AUTOCRAT.
THE PASSENGER WHO STANDS wELD
WITH THE STEWARD HAS MANY AD-
VANTAGE5AT A PRICE.

The recent arrest of Ernesto Sapen a steerags
steward Of the French steamship La Gascogne. on
the charge Of attempting to bribe a boarding off,
Ger Of the immigration Bureau for the purpose OF
landing a half hundred undesirable immigrants,
has led 70 a searching investigation Of the records
of the steerage stewards Of other transatlantic
lines 1t is believed that the frauds practised by
some OF these men are widespread. and that thou-
sands of deformed and diseased foreigners have
been put ashore who have eventually becomes
charges on public charity There probably few
Tribune readers who realize the power Of the
steerage steward. 1t is almost impossible for one
who has not made an ocean trip as third class
passenger TO know the fun scope OF this officers
duties. and what opportunities he has of exer-
csing almost absolute dominion over the crowds ir
the steerage. A college graduate who recently
Europe in the steerage because OF a
slender purse also to study the class OF people
who travel between the decks told reporters
yesterday of his experiences with the steeraga
steward, follows:
More than an hour before the ship started from
her pier in North River the steerage passengers
were ordered down in their compartments. There
was A grand rush for hunks. Each tried TO secure
one near a portfolio, and as there were twenty-
four hunks in a sleeping room, ventilated by only
one portfolio. 1t was a lively hgnt- me ounkS
were stretched on four shelves, six hunks to a
shelf and four shelves to room. I was behind
time in lighting for bed. and consequently found
myself with a bunk on the under row. more than.
ten feet from the portfolio. The steerage steward
saw my disappointment and said;
you're too slow; but if you want better bunk
I might get you one
THE word might was hint enough, and accord--
inEIy I slipped a quarter into his hand The
steward then promptly evicted a huge Finlander
who had pre-empted a portfolio bunk. with the
words, Get OUT this is taken He then motioned
me 10 take possession, which I did
"On the voyage my appetite frequently revolted
against the dfurnaI supply OF oatmeal and black
coffee which was called breakfast One day L
noticed that on coming into the mess room an hour
after the meal there several of the pas
sengers eating steak and eSgs. | noticed that tho
steward had taken from each coin IN return.
After that 1 had steak every morning, Tor Wncn =
paid % cents each time. The steward SAID
he paid half OF il the cook. When ready TO ands
at the European port the steward came to me anu
said:
Are you going back this boat?
Don't know / said. but why do YOU ask
'' Because If you are was the answer 1t Won e
cost YOU more than s.. III that YOU get aboard
for that money. and it'H be all right
He then told that II / would come aboard
the ship the night before she sailed he would stow
away and keep me out OF sight until after the
ship we'll out to He would put me under
cover when the ship was near port and let me OUT
the day after the ship landed. or his friends
who had come aboard TO see him He said that he
voyage. and that most of the passengers with
whom had had steak for breakfast We're SNUG
glers,' he called them Ii is said that by Such
means many a sharp wittedsteerase steward has
retired from his place on a competency after ten
years of service