The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-05-01
SHIP AGENCY
MARKS PASSING
OF THE CRIMP

Washington, April S0.-Tne Cr1mp, one
of the ugliest figures in the predatory
forces, collectively known as Land
sharks that once preyed unchecked on
the merchant sailor ashore. must give
up his grip on Jack when he Is IN
American ports.
The recent establishment by the u. S.
Shipping board of a government shipping
agency of national scope, to place sea-
men in jobs afloat, will put the crimp
cut of business. The crimp thrived on
extravagant fees. often collected twice
that is, from the ship operator and the
sailor Without them he cannot continue
his activities.
The Shipping board agency. known as
the sea service bureau, aims not only
TO protect the seaman and the ship owner
against etortion, but to stabilize the sup
ply of mariners at various ports, by ship
ping men to ports where most needed,
preparing their fares, and looking after.
their subsistence in transit
This service will be rendered at cost.
and a nominal fee of so much man viii
be charged the ship operator calling for
men. In no instance will the mariner pc
put to expense in getting job.
In bulletin just issued to ship oper-
ators, Capt. /. L. Evans, chief oh the
sea service bureau, states that 1t is the
desire and intention of the bureau TO
reduce the cost of placing mariners in
employment to Minimum. and that the
initial fee of $3.50 a man. to be charged
at first will be reduced as soon as con-
ditions justify reduction.
Ship operators are notified that the
ureau aims to furnish officers and crews
upon request to "any and all American
ships, whether under private or govern
naent operation"
Cooperation OF ship owners and opera
tors in driving out the '-crimp'' is invited
by the sea service bureau in this bull
letin, and owners also invited to make
suggestions looking to possible extension
of the services of the bureau to ports
not now covered by it's branches. Ad-
ministrative headquarters of the bureau
are at the headquarters of the Shipping
Boards recruiting service at Boston, and
its largest shippin coffee has just been
opened at "A to 80 Washington street
New oYrk. Here several thousand Amer
lean seamen, firemen and stewards find
employment every month, including hun
dreds of youSg lads graduated from the
shipping boards training ships and going
to sea their first voyage.
Times Changing For Jack.
The passing of the crimp is the most
recent in a number of changes in con-
ditions affecting American sailors when
ashore that taken together constitute
complete departure from old-ti2ne
standards of what was considered good
enough for Jack.
Into the discard which now receives the
crimp went some years ago the sailors
dance hall, and its attendant sisterhood.
who welcomed Jack ashore, entertained
him until his money was gone. and turn
ed him over to the crimp, who in nine
cases out of ten was a boarding house
keeper.
The sailors boarding house itself. as it
was knowkn in earlier days. has suffered
eclipes by the welfare centers, where, n
a great clean building sailor may get
neat bed for thirty cents night or so,
and meals at proportionate cost, and
where he can play games, attend lectures
and movie" shows and rningle socially
with sober and self Sespecting com
panions.
Net on the list to go will be the
sailors grog shop. which now is on its
last lges. With that gone. the props of
the old system for debauching Jack and
plucking him. win have been sent to Lazy
Jones' locker. Few will mourn the event,
| for a new style of sailor is coming into
the merchant marine-a sailor to whom
old-time excuses ashore would not ap-
peal, and on whom the .sland shark
would not get fat
Crimps Were Artists In Guile
| The crimp viii not go out of business
willingly. He has too recent memory Of
days when to be crimp was to conduct
| business of profit.
There are many crimps in business to-
cay who recall with professional pride
tie days of strong-arm methods in the
Il vr1s- -