New-York tribune., 1902-07-08
CRIMPS AT WORK AGAIN.
THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY WILL PROB
ABLY START ITS TUG ONCE MORE
To PROTECT THE SAILORS

Within the last few days there have been
many evidences that the crimps. the pfratas
who have for years preyed upon incoming sea-
men. boarding the ships as they came into the
port and selecting their victims. are at their
old tricks again a few months ago the LEGAL
Aid Society hired special tug 10 watch this
business. and succeeded in keeping the runners
or agents OF the various boarding house dives
from boarding the vessels. The crimps svvOra
that they would blow up the tug but despite
their threats the vessel continued work until
the business was stopped
A C Won Briesen. the president OF the Legal
Aid Society, who lives Staten Island near
the Quarantine Station, recently had his sus-
piciOns aroused by the sight of a small boat
putting out to incoming ship The ship was
the Danish bark Varida, and with the aid OF a
glass Mr. Won Rriesen plainly saw the men, who
could be identified as crimps, board the ship.
This was on Thursday. similar incident oc-
CURED on Friday with the ship Eifel Tower.
These and other like cases convinced Mr.. Won
Briesen that The crimps at work again
Clark H. Abbott. OF the Seaman's Branch Of
the Legal Aid Society. who was seen by a Trib-
une reporter yesterday. confirmed Mr.. Won
Briesen's statement
1T is Quite likely that the business is on
again /" said he. The only way you can stop
the crimps is TO have boat there all the time
In the days before we started the fight againss
them they used TO go aboard ships and knock
the sailors down and then drag them on board
their boats. The runners for the various houses
would divide up the crew and each tackle his
own men. The sailors were not only robbed OF
all the wages they drew when they arrived. buc
were beaten and assaulted and then shipped or
TO the profit OF the boarding master I regard
IL as most probable that the crimps are taking
advantage Of the inactiOn our part. 7 had
a case called to my attention last week and IN
vestigated il thoroughly"
Mr.. Abbott related striking example OF thu
cruelty shown the sailors and the way taken 20
prevent them from securing their rights A
few days ago a couple OF Nova Scotian sailors
on the Clara Bell brought a charge against tha
first mate who the son OF the captain The
case set for trial the next day in Newark.
and the sailors returned to the ship. That night
after all hands had gone below the captain sig
nailed tug. and when the men went on deck
the next morning they found themselves In ths
midst OF Newark Bay with no means OF going
ashore TO testify in court.
Their blood was up however. and kicking or
their shoes they dived into the bay and swami
ashore arriving in court in time TO testify. but
looking very wet and bedraggled Their ap-
pearance and story saved the day. and the mata
was convicted
Mr.. Abbott declared that this was another ec-
ample Of the difficulties the sailors meet Not
merely the captains turn against them for their
own profit. but in many instances the captains
and the cTimps are in partnership. and the cap
tain receives a pretty rake off, The Legal Aid
Society intends to take immediate steps to check
the return of the crimp abuse. 1t will probably
hire a tug TO keep a constant watch on the
Lower Bay and viii prosecute the lawbreakera
The law fOrbids the boarding OF incoming ships
the ship comes from within the same marine
district