THE RED LETTER PLACARDS OF CHINATOWN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 75

THE RED LETTER PLACARDS OF CHINATOWN.

Visitors to the Chinese quarters of San Francisco are attracted! by red letter placards on the dead walls of some, of the (principal street corners. Occasionally a placard is posted) unusually high, like laws of the Medes and Persians, which they desired should escape the attention of the populace. But the Chinese Tiave a different object— they desire the placards to be read, fcnt ijost them high so as to be beyond the

reach of policemen or the person who is lampooned" The red placard is a drastic way to collect bad dabts. Instead of employing a collector and paying him a large per cent., the 1 creditor writes upon a sheet of paper: — j "Wun Lun owes me lOdol for money I i entrusted to him. I respectfully asked him , to pay, and it is always that he has not ' the money. Nobody should trust Wun Lun."' > Sometimes this warning is signed, but more frequently it is not. The notice is posted late at night, the-injured creditor using a step-ladder for the purpose. Every one passing is attracted by this red letter black-list notice. The crowd grows, and all are talking as if it were a declaration of war by one of the tongs. ( This plan of exposing delinquent credij tors is effective in most instances, and the ; bill is paid that the debtor may "save his - face" and his credit. Until the bill is paid ! no one else will give him credit, and even i then he is placed in the doubtful column, ! for it is known that he paid only upon { compulsion. The police discoxirage this free advertising, and where two or three excited Chinese are gathered together discussing the j meiits of the case they are urged to "move ! on." The Chinese do not think this posting libellous, but seem inclined to justify the creditor in his expose of the delinquent, and are glad to get the news for selfprotection. A new arrival whc wants to find his poor relations or friends posts a notice that he has arrived, and requests them to call o»i him. in his alley, three flights up, back rcom. Another placard that attracts attentioa is that of the "boss" who wants workmen. If he desires a gang of grape pickers to go to "Fleshino" (Fresno) he puts up a red' placard, but lower down than the one advertising the fraud, Wun Lung. Other "want" uotices are pasted on these splotched and spotted corners, and there is usually a crowd there all day "reading the handwriting on the walls. Those who do not wish to incur the expense of a "want ad." in one of the Chinese papers also disfigure the walls with notices. There rre, of course, many Chinese who do not take a paper, and street corner advertising is the onlj way to reach tbem. When a family celebrates a birthday or gives a yearly feast notices of the forthcoming function are posted, inviting all members of that clan. It" is the custom for each of the Six Companies alternately to lease a. theatre and give a free exhibition for members of thot company. The officers of the com- \ pany send tickets to each member, and no one else is admitted. Notice of this free entertainment is posted up, and attracts great attention. The reason that Chinese use such heroic measures to compel delinquents to settle is that most of the debts are contracted upon hor.our. Money is loaned without security, or even without a note ot promise to I pay. In the 1 absence of written evidence ! or witnesses the Chinese court is, of course, largely governed, by the reputation of the contestants for truth and honesty. It is only when one refuses to abide by the decision of this arbitration board and becomes a general "dead beat" that he is placarded upon the dead walls. This is one of the humorous phases of Chinatewn and affords much amusement, for the sti'eet idlers and business men are never in too great a hurry to stop and read about. the • bad Celestial who has "lost his face." The placard form of advertising has spread beyond the dead walls, and occupants of business corners have r.esorted to ihe American style of warning by pasting low down, within the view 1 of all, in large Chinese characters, soinethinsr similax to

our "Post no bills, under penalty of the law !v! v According to a Chinese custom which is as rigidly adhered to as a statutory law, everyone must pay his debts before the first day of the- new year ; otherwise he is refused further credit. Notice of his failure to do so is noised around in about the same way that American business men !earn that a person is slow pay and not sure. The delinquent debtoi finds it difficult to get employment and is ostracised socially. In cases where it is impossible to meet his debts, and be so satisfies his creditor, the matter is arranged by eomj.romise But the creditor must be paid or a satisfactory arrangement made with him before the new year begins, or the debtor goes to the wall like a protested note. The general way, however, of settling disputed accounts is by arbitration in what is called the "Meeting Hall of the. Middle Kingdom." This board is composed of members selected from the Six Companies, and it acts as a. court of justice in the settlement of debts, quarrels, disputes about wages, and other business troubles. Of course, it has no legal power, and uses only arguments and "moral suasion." Some writers state that this "government within a government" punishes criminals and exercises the powers of criminal courts. This is denied by the Chinese. The court or board only has advisory powers. The creditor notifies the | court t.list Sing Hi owes him some "cash" and will not pay. Sing Hi is requested to appear and "save his face." The complainant makes his statement, and the debtor attempts to justify himself for not paying his debts. If either disputant is dissatisfied with the decision he can take the matter to the American oourts. This arbitration is not binding upon them, but generally they consent to accept, the decision of the board before the case is tried. It is rarely that an appeal is made to the American courts, for the contestants arc informed that they must pay lawyers' fees and court costs, and, besides, ma\ have to wait a long time, as either can continue a case almost indefinitely.