Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 15.pdf/356

 The" Work of the New York Legal Aid Society.

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insurance money or to return the premiums. stantly referred the difficulties which arise be The man tried for several years to get the tween masters and seamen. The ship com company to repay the premiums, but without panies realize his unprejudiced position, and success. Within ten days after the Society they respect his decision because they know, took hold of the case, he had his money. that he is prepared to go to court to enforce it. In this last respect, his readiness to go to Cases of a similar nature arise with great court to enforce what he thinks is just, he has frequency against benefit associations. Many of these companies also have representatives an advantage over the Shipping Commission in Ireland to verify statements as to the age er which has allowed him to succeed where the latter has failed. In protecting the sailors of members. In many cases, strangely enough, these representatives, for some rea on land, in breaking up the old board-house son, are not asked to make their investiga gangs, and in putting a stop to the notorious practices of the crimps, this branch tions until after the member has made large payments. At the present time the Society of the society has met with most satisfactory lias several suits pending against benefit asso success. ciations for the return of premiums and as A great part of the work of the Society is sessments. It sometimes occurs that these in the Surrogate's Court, in getting guard associations, in order to escape the payment ians, executors and administrators appointed, of benefit money, expel a member when he in forcing others to file an accounting, in or his wife or some member of his family securing legacies, and in other work of this seems about to die. The Society sometimes nature. One of the most difficult cases with takes proceedings to compel the reinstate which the Society has had to deal was this. ment of the member, and sometimes effects a A girl who had just come of age applied for good compromise with the association for the assistance in recovering a legacy which had payment of a sum of money. A case of the been left her when a child, and of which her latter kind was the following. A man had father had been appointed guardian. He had been sick, and certain sums were due him as not filed an accounting, and the daughter benefit money. His society heard that his thought that he had squandered the money wife was dangerously ill. They refused to on drink. For several years his family had pay the sick benefit money due the member. not been living with him because of his habits. Two daughters supported the mother He consulted a lawyer who wrote to the as sociation for information. The man was by working in an insane asylum, and more recently in a laundry. The girl was exceed thereupon expelled for "unfraternal" conduct in asking legal advice against the society. ingly good looking, with much refinement in The Legal Aid 'Society later had little diffi her face and manner. culty in getting a good settlement covering The story of the father was pitiful. He was not only the sick benefit money, but also a an old, gray-haired man, with a face that ex large part of the money which should have cept for its weakness of feature, was very been due upon the death of the wife. good. He said that it was true that he had used his daughter's money. He had felt that The Seaman's Branch of the Society is do what was hers was his. He could not resist ing very remarkable work. It is in fact ac complishing what it was hoped that the the appeals of his wife, and although he knew United States Shipping Commissioner would that it was wrong, whenever he had no other do. The attorney in charge of this branch is money he would give her five or ten dollars of the daughter's money. His present re becoming in a degree the recognized arbitra pentance could not repair the effects of his tor of the port of New York. To him are con