Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-26
ARREST SHIPS CREW
Transatlantic Officers Charged
With Violating Alien Laws.
ALL UNDER HEAVY BOND
Alleged to Have Systematically
Struggled in Aliens.
TRIAL TO TAKE PLACE MARCH /
Case Worked UP by Field Agent of
the National immigration
Bureau.
TRIAL TO TAKE PLACE MARCH !

NEW YORK, February 25.-Federal Of
fcers swept aboard a transatlantic liner
when she made her pier this afternoon
and arrested every man in authority
from captain down. All are charged
with conspiracy to violate the United
States immigration laws.
The steamship is the Athinai Of the
Hellenic Transatlantic Steamship Com
pany, whose general agent here also
was arrested. The government charges
that the company has been smuggling
them disguised as members Of the crew,
others hidden about the ship until there
was no danger Of search.
Heavy Bonds Required.
Nikolas A. Galanos, the agent, was re-
leased under $4,000 bonds, and his con-
fidential secretary in $4,000. Capt. Gekas
Ko!ouras was released in $4,000. as were
his first officer, the chief engineer and
DR.. Gerasimos Diakovatos, the ships
surgeon. Three other officers were held
In $4,000 bail each, and each of the
eighteen members of the crew in $1,000
each. In all, the government required
s195, 900 bail {,
Judge Chatfeld, sitting in the United
States circuit court, before whom the in
dictments were read, set trial for March
/. The penalty for conspiracy is $4,000
and two years imprisonment, either or
both, and for violating section eight
of the immigration laws, $1,000 and two
years, either. or both.
Field Agents List of Names.
A field agent of the immigration bureau
at Washington who worked on the case
had seventy-six names on his list, but
only twenty-nine of them could be found
on the Athinai when he boarded her at
quarantine. No arrests were made until
the ship moored in Brooklyn. The pas
SengerS We're taken Off without fuss, and
federal officers then searched the ship.
arresting those wanted who could be
found.
The government expects to prove that
when aliens were rejected at Ellis Island
it was possible for many OF them by a
payment of from $40 to $50 to enlist as
members Of the crew, or else to take
passage. and when the ship arrived. to
evade inspection either by hiding or by
appearing on the ships muster. Women
were passed off, ii is charged, as stew
ardeSseS.
The Hellenic Steamship Company has
been in trouble on similar charges be-
fore A.. G.. Cass, counsel for the COM
pany. said tonight that out OF misun-
derstanding of the previous case grows
the present prosecution.
Says It's Spite Work.
1--WE shall show" he said, that this
whole case is piece of spite work. and
an attempt on the part OF the district
attorneys office to bolster up legislation
now pending at Washington. There un-
doubtedly have been desertions from our
ships. but that is q trial which all steam
ship companies have to contend with.
1--WE shall also show that. a man dis
missed from the service of the company,
on recommendation of Commissioner Will
liams of the immigration bureau, for
swindling immigrants. has been employed
by the government to furnish much of
| their evidence in this case