Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-01-02
King OF STEERAdE.
STEWARDS BETWEEN DECKS
HAVE GREAT AUTHORITY


The recent arrest of Ernesto Sapel
Ii. a steerage steward of the French
steamship La Gascogne, on the charge
Of attempting to bride a boarding Of
ficer of the immigration Bureau for
the purpose OF landing a half hundred
undesirable immigrants, has led to a
searching investigation of the records
of the stcerage stewards of other
trans. Atlantic lines. II is believed
that the frauds praCtiCed by some OF
these men are widespread, says the
New York Tribune, and that thousands
OF defOrmed and diseased foreigners
have been put ashore VINO have event.
ually become charges on public char.
ity.
There are probably few who realize
the power of the steerage steward. II
: almost impossible for one who has
not made an ocean trip as a Ihird.class
passenger to know the full scope of
this officers duties, and what OppOr.
tunities he has OF exercising almost
absolute dominion over the crowds in
the steerage A college graduate who
recently went to Europe in the steer.
age because of a slender purse, and
also to study the class OF people who
travel between the decks, told a re.
porter yesterday of uts experiences
with the steerage steward, as 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 DunKs. Each
tried to secure one near a portfolio
and as there were twenty.four hunks
Ia a sleeping room, ventilated by only
/ one portfolio, 1t was lively fight. The
hunks were stretched ON four shelves
/ to room. was behind time In
| fighting for a bed, and consequently
found myself with a bunk on the un
der row, more than ten Ieet from the
| portfolio.
The Storage steward saw my dis
appointment and said: you're toe
slow. but II you want n better bunk
might get you one
THE word might was hin, enough
and accordingly | slipped a quarter
into his hand. The steward thcT
promptly eyiCted huge Ilnlandel
who had pre.empted a portfolio bunk
with the words, Get out: tnis is tan
en-. He then motioned me to TAKE
possession. which | did.
"On the voyage my appetite fire
quently reyolted against the diurna
supply of oatmeal and black coffee
which was called breakfast. One da,
| noticed that on coming into the mess
room an hour after .le meal Their
were several of the passengers eatin
steak and eggs. noticed That tn
steward had taken IRON each a col
In return. After that had steak @,
cry morning, for which paid 25 cent
or more each.
When ready TO land at the Eurt
pean port the steward came to me an
said: Are you going back on thi
boat?'
Don't know said. But why d
you ask?'
because II you are was the an
swer, IL won't cost you more than 81
III see that you get aboard for tina
money, and it'll be all right.
He then told me that II | woul
come aboard the ship the night befor
she sailed he would stow me away an
keep me out of sight until after tn
ship was well out to sea. he woul
put me under cover when the ship wa
. near port, and let me out the day afte
the ship landed. as one of his friend
. who had come aboard to see him. II
said that he looked out Tor a half do
, en- men like that on each voyage. an
! that most of the passengers with whol
! ] had steak for breakfast were 'smu
! glers, as he called them. II is sal
tnat by such means many a sharp.wl
} ted steerage steward has retired froI
his place on a competency after to
/. years of service"