Norwich bulletin., 1913-11-08
DECK WATCHMAN WORKED
 GRAFT ON IMMIGRANTS.
James Gilmore Arrested in New Lon
 don-Collected Five Gents for Transportation Fees," 1t is Charged

Transportation Fees," 1t is Charged
 Two petty grafters were apprehended on the trip of the New London line steamer New Hampshire from New ork during Thursday night, and one was arrested on a criminal charge, preferred by a detective disguised as an immigrant. The special agent of 1 the New England Steamship company detected one uniformed employe selling ! bottled beer to fellow steerage passen- gers and another extorting transporta- tion fees from them.
 James Gilmore, 56 years old, deck watchman in the service of the line Tor 5 years. was arrested on a charge of obtaining money under false pre- lenses when the boat arrived. The other employe whose name was with held by officers of the New Hamp- shire, was discharged at once.
 The detective who obtained the evil dence against Gilmore and a grating deckboy is Louis Smith, employed by the New England company as a spe- cial agent and investigator. Smith saw conditions as they exist in the immi- grants cabin; heard one of the crew offer beer for sale and heard Gilmore tell the huddled immigrants before the boat landed: Now l get a transporta- ton fee for taking you across to the depot" Then, according to the detec- tive, Gilmore collected five cents each
 
 others who had bills too large for him 10 change.
 Smith, stepping out of the crowd of immigrants at the union station sig nailed to Special Agent George 0. Vincent and Patrolman Frank How ard, who we're waiting for him. and they arrested Gilmore In police court Friday at New London Gilmore, charged with obtaining money under false pretenses. was held until Tues day, Nov. II. for hearing. He was re- leased in bonds of S100, furnished by a policeman who is relative.
 p Immigrants to Testify.
 According to the arresting officers and Smith. Gilmore admitted his guilt and made oYertures to them for a set tlement of the case. Fifteen immi- grants whose names and destinations are held by Smith identified Gilmore as the man who extorted money from them They will come here to testify against him. Smith went to New Ha- ven Friday to report to the legal de- partment of the New England Steam ship company, and it is possible the Company's counsel may seek Gilmore's arra1gnment on a more serious charge.
 Special Agent Smiths story dates back nearly a year. Inspectors of the immigration bureau, riding the New London line boats disguised as immi- grants. paid to Gilmore transportation fees" They reported the matter to the chief inspector. He sent his report to the bureau head and a copy of the reports was furnished the New Eng land Steamship company. Immigrant protective organizations have recently written to the steamship company that immigrants ignorant of the right to charge them "transportation fees" had paid them and had not learned their mistakes until they reached their more ,l,5 fr~fn Ac i1 rri1 cities.
 Detective Disguised as Immigrant.
 Smith. commissioned to secure the detection of the grafters, went to Ellis Island Thursday morning. There he made himself known to the in- spectors and was allowed to join the band of immigrants which was bound to New London by way of Pier 40 East river and the New London line When Smith got into the rabble he was equipped with the seediest looking gripsack he could find; had frolicked in a coalbin to collect the necessary grime; had dyed his light moustache black, because he was known aboard the New Hampshire. and was sporting one of the most foreign makeups. even to the vivid hued necktie in the entire immigrant band.
 Smith took all the cursing the other immigrants got from deckhandS and was in the way as many times as the rest. He was driven aboard the New Hampshire and his ticket was exam ined. He found the immigrants the wisest competitors he had because he couldn't talk to them. After q while he scared up an acquaintance with @ German who did not suspect his lden- tity.
 peckboy Sold Beer.
 Shortly after the steamer left her h. If af n m A the immigrants quarters and an- nounced through u passenger with whom he could converse in scant Eng fish that he had beer for sale, About ten men said they wanted beer; The deckboy came back with bottles which he admitted buying ashore for five cents in New York and seld them for ten cents apiece. He said he could only carry six bottles under his coat