The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-05-08

IVA GINS4E1NS AL Ian 4SA~ANy -
order to escape the exorbitant charges
of the butchers guild. two hundred for
eign families in Kobe organized what
is known as the Kobe Meat Club, and
started market of their own. The
foreign residents OF Yokohama took
similar action IN providing steam
laundry when the washers guild be
came unreasonable in its charges.
Another large source of profit to the
cooks of Yokohama is the control of
the supply of green groceries. 1t was
found that nearly all the cooks insist
ed upon patronizing a certain market.
The reason for this preference was not
because the manager offered special in
dueements in the way of liberal COM
missions, but because the cooks them
selves owned most of the stock in the
business. Owing to the many forms of
graft radiating from the Oriental
kitchen, the East is cook IS paradise.
Five of the richest foreigners in Korea
are men who went there in the humble
capacity of chefs, yet who profted so
well by the practice of high finance IN
the cuisine that they are now rated
among the bloated plutocrats of the
land
The Grand Hotel in Yokohama is the
best stand in Japan for jinrieksha men,
and the guild that controls the work at
this place is the closest of corporations.
While the rates are higher from here
than from other portions of the city,
the men realize additional profit from
generous tips Rich Americans will
frequently give five or ten dollars when
the tariff is not more than seyenty-fv
cents or a dollar. The guild puts up
deposit of 200 yen with the hotel man
agement to guarantee good service, and
elects one of its members as doorman.
If at any time member leaves, he is
permitted 90 take down his share of the
deposit money, and to realize what he
can from the sale of his membership in
the guild, provided there is no objec-
tion to the successor and that he can
produce his share of the deposit money.
1t is said that coolies pay high for the
privilege of joining the little band that
gets such fat pickings from the tourists
who frequent the Grand, but the exact
amounts that have changed hands in the
sale of these memberships are not
known.
There are upwards of four hundred
different kinds of guilds in Japan and
the long list includes, among many
other novel occupations, thieves
union. The robbers organization does
a hourishing business, but it is sup
posed to confne its operations exclu-
sively to the lower classes. When one
of it's members preys upon person of
official position or high social standing,
the police send for the boss of the guild
and demand that the booty be returned.
In such cases restitution is generally
made without delay. That the japanese
thief is not wholly lacking in sense of
courtesy, when called to task, was IL |
Illustrated in the case OF a pickpocket |
who snatched watch from lady's |
belt. The chain ring was broken by |
the violent jerk. When the watch was
returned, it was found the culprit had
not only gone to the expense of having |
the damage repaired, but had sent a
note of apology for the poor workman
ship and the delay occasioned by hav-
ing it fixed.
Sometimes the thieves make their I
own terms when the police call upon !
hem to disgorge. A clever rogue pick |
ID the pocket of the American Consul |
General while that distinguished gem
.leman was taking a journey on the /
rain. The matter was reported to the /
police, and they of course sent word /
o the guild that the money, amount |
ng to quite a sum, must be returned |
1t once. In the course of time the re-
port came back that the thief had al |
'eady invested the proceeds of his haul /
o good advantage, but would return
he exact amount if allowed to keep it |
or three months. His guild stood as
security to the police, who in turn gave |
heir pledge to the Consul General, and /
It the appointed time the money was
While the police exercise power over
he members of the thieves union in
certain circumstances, the officials DO
lot come into personal contact with |
he culprits When some stolen article
s to be returned, it may be enclosed
n package and thrown over the wall
1t the police station, or it may be left
secretly where the owner can find it.
rhe thieves are organized to the ex-
ent of wearing distinguishing apparel.
This fact was brought out on one occa-
ion when an attempted robbery was
frustrated by the approach of some
The footpads made off in
UGH haste that one of them lost his
hoe. The policeman attracted to the