16,618. What would be the consequence if they did not pay at that time?-We would just have to take steps to get payment; that would be the only consequence.
16,619. If a man declined to pay at that particular time, would you have any objection to get him a berth next year?-We could not refuse him, if the master chose to take him.
16,620. But would you help a man to get a berth if he was in debt for the previous year?-I would not care much for that,
16,621. Could you not prevent him from getting access to the captain along with the other men?-No. The place is open for any one to come in, and I could not prevent him.
16,622. But he would have to apply directly to the captain?-Yes, he would have to apply to the captain for a berth; but they all do that.
16,623. But I understand the captain only takes the men who are secured by you?-No; I never said that. The men come to the place themselves, and they know the place as well as we do, because it is always crowded with men, and the captain chooses from among them, what men he wants.
16,624. Are there usually more men than berths?-Yes.
16,625. And I believe there is often a great crush to get into the presence of the captain?-Yes, generally.
16,626. Do you tell me that a man who is in discredit with you, and who has not your good word, or rather who is in your black books, has any chance of getting a berth from a captain?-We never had any experience of such a case, because the men have always paid their accounts.
16,627. Don't you think they have done that under the apprehension that they would not get a berth in the following year, if they did not do so?-I don't know that.