Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-27
TRIALS OF PEARY's CREW.
Short on Holiday Funds-Questions
of the Customs Officers.

NEW YORK, December 27.-The crew OF
Commander Peary's ship were still shy
their pay yesterday and the Roosevelt re-
manned at anchor in the North river, off the
foot Of AID street. Since they couldn't have
their pay in time for Christmas, the men
on the Roosevelt don't seem to care very
much whether they get it now or in week
Everybody agreed that all hands would be
paid tomorrow at the latest, for the Roose-
Welt Is to be drydocked in Hoboken then.
There were two separate and distinct
tales of woe on the Roosevelt yesterday.
One was the piteous story of the four men
who went ashore for Christmas and the
other was a sizzling narrative about GUS
tom house officials and more less red
tape. There were four men on the ship
who had a little money left over from their
landing at Sydney, the two George Clarks
able seamen; Bo'sn Jack Murphy and
Steward Percy These four comrades went
ashore early Christmas morning and trav-
eled just as far as their money would let
'em, which wasn't much. When night
came they were stranded on the 44th street
pier and passed some time wondering how
they could get back to the ship.
1T was cold last night. you know said
Steward Percy yesterday, and L thought
we'd have to bunk on that freezin' pier all
night, but pretty soon q kind, generous
boatman consented to lend us little
money, and we went and got some beds
But the worst Of it was we didn't get back
on the ship here till 10 o'clock this mornin'
Think of it, not till 10 o'clock" And he
shook his head sadly.
At half past five Capt. Bartlett got back
on the Roosevelt. He was hoarse and Shlv-
ering and until he had swallowed three cups
of tea and eaten some of the steward S
newly made biscuits he could only sputter
his indignation. 1t appeared that he had
started out at half past eight In the morn
ing and had gone to the custom house.
did you have to waltz" he was asked.
mo, but (spit, spaD. 1 spent four hours
there 1sputter) and a lot of red tape tspit-
ter spatter) and a bunch of crazy ques-
lions fspitter. sputter, spuO! he croaked
'All the silly questions you ever heard OF
Did we have passengers on board? and
what was the value of our cargo? And
then the customs inspector pointed an ac-
cusing finger at me and said, You have
skins on board and l said yes, of course
but only what the men brought home as
sort of souvenirs, and then he asked me
what was the value of EN-, and told him
1 didn't know.
"Will you have to pay duty on the skins?'
one listener asked.
Il don't know" replied the captain drear
lily, 'but 1 think they're going to make us
pay about $50 tonnage"
There was a custom house man aboard
here today said the bos'n, sympathetic
ally He asked us did we have any Chi
nese on board. and lot of other foolish
questions"
The little launch which takes sightseers
from the foot of 44th street to the Arctic
ship made two trips yesterday with consid-
cradle difficulty. and turned away a great
MANY people who wanted to visit Peary s
vessel Quite number made the trip, how
ever The dogs, which attracted especial
attention, lay on the coal In the open hold
all day, trying to make the most of life be-
fore they strike Bronx Park. Some OF those
who could not get on the sightseeing launch
took the ferry over to Weehawken and
hired rowboats there to take them out to
the Roosevelt.