DUPING IMMIGRANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 22, 26 January 1924, Page 27

DUPING IMMIGRANTS.

PUOTS OF LAND UNDER THE SEA. Stories which hare i ong circulated In Aew York of the gigantic scale on which immigrants are swindled of their savings were authenticated when Mr. James Wilson, Assistant FnbHc Prosecutor, testified berore the Legislative committee in New York appointed to deal with this eri!. Some of these stories describe how newcomers to America have "bought" plots in Battery Park at the end of Manhattan Island, and how the swindlers have sold them the City Hall and the Woolworth Building, the tallest structure in New York. The information gathered by Mr. Wilson of the tricks played by swindlers on ignorant aliens rivals in sensationalism these popular tales. He estimated that bogus estate dealers—"land sharks" was his char, acteriastlon of them —had in a few years cheated new arrivals of £3.000,000 by selling to them building sites for homes which actually are uuder the sea. He informed the committee that agents speaking the native language of the aliens had sold for -ICO each impossible and nonexistent concessions under Brooklyn Bridge, and even half shares In New York railway stations. Other "agents" carried on ft large bogus business in remitting alien savings to relatives in Europe, while yet others obtained .urns ranging from £20 upwards with which tbey promised to bribe Washington officials to relax the Immigration Laws ln favour c. the wives or children of the victims. It was stated in evidence that 32 per cent Of the residents in New York State are aliens who are without statutory protection. The committee is considering various remedial measures.