Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 January 1894 — WASTE ABOARD BIG SHIPS. [ARTICLE]

WASTE ABOARD BIG SHIPS.

Knlvee, Dishes, Table Linen & China Thrown Overboard. A msn came overon the big Cunarder Campania last trip who, being of an inquiring turn of mind, used his eyes and ears to good advantage all the way, and he expressed to a reporter the most unqualified amusement of the constant wholesale waste of valuable material. “ I don't think so much of the stewards’ selling saloon faro to the steerage,” he said, “ because the food wonla be thrown overboard anyway, aud the stewards, or 'flunkies’ as the seamen call them, may well make something off it if they can. Their pay is small, so the transsotion results in substantial benefit to them. A great many persons oonie over in the steerage because they don’t care what their accommodations ore so long as they get good food, and they are pretty sure of being able to buy that from the stewards. Of course, it isn’t the square thing to do; but what I wondered the most at was tne utter disregard for the ship’s outfit, ‘‘For lnstanoe, a steward would take down to the steerage a dozen dishes and plates of choice food in a large bucket, carefully covered so the contents would not be seen. Of oourse the btfeket oonained sliver forks, spoons, knives and very often sliver vegetable afad dessert dishes and individual chocolate and coffee pots. When the food was eaten the china and sliver went back to the bucket and the whole business was quietly dropped into the refuse chute ana down into the sea I I've seen as many as ten buckets taken down by the same number of stewards three and four times a day throughout a trip, and in every case the crockery, silverware and bucket went overboard. You may take my word for it that anything a steward carries below never gets back; to its proper quarters again, not only beoause of the risk of detection but because of the trouble. ‘‘l doubt, though, if the risk is very great, for some of the oflloers are themselves exceedingly careless and destructive. I’ve seen large, brand new, handsome blankets taken into an officer’s room for him to use as a rug whilo taking a bath. When he finished the blankets were rolled up and quietly dropped down the chute. And that happened a number of times during the voyage, too. No, I can’t suggest a remedy, and the company wouldn't extend me a vote of thanks if I could, but it seems to me it would pay to have those things looked into a little and a responsible man plaoed in direct charge of affairs. A steward’s pay is very small, ranging from $5 to S3O a month, but never exceeding the latter sum. In many cases they get no pay at all, but, instead, not only work without a stipend but also pay the company for the privilege of serving it.—[St. Louis Post Dispatch.