New-York tribune., 1909-09-11
MORE TROUBLE AT PIER
CuHard Line Threatens TO Hale Gus
toms Men to Court.

Although the customs watchnen d,A not i,tsr-
rere with the hand baggage OF passengers nor 9TH
er"lse noiest them as they left the Cunard Line
pier on Thursday evening. there was a heated
.S .onu"Ve'SS between Captain Roberts. pier super
lhtendent or the lins. and G. c. Wall, who was put
In complete charge recently OF the examination ON
the piers OF baggage from incoming steamers
Inc incident involved the calling IN OF a police
man 10 remove several customs officials from the
section OF the pier outside the customs lines and
the subsequent announcement Of VERNON II rs-
OF the Cunard Line. that the COMPANY would an
peal 70 the courts. II necessary TO find out 10 IL
had tne right to operate its property without
interference from the customs officials
While the Mauretanis was being vrarpsa frto bs-
COCK several customs inspectors or watchmeu gath
cred outside the gate near the stringpiecs where
the longshoremen were passing lines from the
steamer. The customs men, who were said to be
IA the way. We're asked 10 move away by Captain
Roberts. who explained that they were interfering
with the movements OF the 'IongshOremen
According to Captain Roberts, the men became
insolent and Informed him that they were ordered
20 wait at that place get a passenger list which
they said would be thrown from the Maure-
tana- Captain Roberts called a policeman who II
Is said. had authority to act at that part OF the
pier where the customs men were standing After
being made to move away by the policeman. the
men reported the affair TO Mr.. Wall. who went up
to Captain Roberts and Informed him that he had
the right to arrest him.
Angered by the remark Of Mr. Wall Captain
Roberts said: IF you have the power to arrest
me. you had better try it, MIR. Wall 1 have twenty
policemen here and two hundred longshOreman who
will look out for me, so just go ahead
Vernon II. Brown greatly annoyed over the
Incident He said yesterday that. while the Cunard
Line only anxious 10 assist the customs
officials in way. it could not allow them TO
interfere with the docking OF ship. especially E
a place outside the customs lines. He said IL he
found it necessary the matter would be taken TO
the courts
The recent recall OF the women inspectors OF the
immigration service. who boarded steamers down
the bay met them at the piers. responsible
II is said by Cunard Line officials for the detention
overnight the Msuretania Of number OF
women, all OF whom were wives Of American citt-
zens. As pier passes issued 20 relatives or
friends of steerage third class passengers those
who go TO the pier are required to remain outside
the gate.
The women inspectors on finding woman in the
steerage. who said her husband waiting at the
pier TO meet her. invariably went out and brought
the husband aboard the steamer TO identify his wife
and show his citizenship papers. On Thursday
night this duty fell Mr.. Ornstein, the Cunard
Lines landing agent. When he made effort TO
take through the gate the husbands of women in
the steerage who had asserted American citizen
ship. the customs watchmen declined to pass them.
1t was said yesterday by the Cunard Line that
this action caused many women 70 remain on
board the steamer night. while relatives who
American citizens could not enter the gate 70
identify them
Surveyor Clarkson is still at work on his inquiry
into the alleged Ill treatment OF passengers on IN
coming steamers by OverZealOus customs inspectors
Up to yesterday he had heard complaints
from anybody who had had TO submit TO a
search of HIS her person by the inspectors. On
the contrary, half dozen more passengers who
have talked with the Surveyor praised the IN
spection. Mr. Clarkson ia NOT satisfied. however.
and will he glad TO hear from anybody who has
been i'll used