Shanghai, Apr. 13.
HINESE shippers along-the Whangpoo River and Soochow Greek face "taxation on almost every commodity by organized gangs operating from Shanghai, well-informed quarters told the "North-China Daily News" yesterday.
So far has this form of racketeering gone that the organization, it is alleged has set up an office in the Dah. Loh Hotel on Vu Ya Ching Road, although it makes no pretence of having any official connections.
The racket consists of for 1s shippers to pay squeeze to the gang under threat of interference with lighters and their cargoes if money is not forthcoming.
Chieny affected by the racketeering re Chinese exporters from the city, Although importers, t00,, come In for their share of squeeze. Chinese shipping hongs have bowed to force, and prefer paying the squeeze rather than Tage the, wholesale Uneft of their ships 'The racketeers' method, if "protection" money is. not forthcoming, is to Tle in wait on the siver for a lighter for june Teaving' its berth and. then board it, and simply sail it away to a wharf in Hongkew or Sood Greek. The' owners are then notifed, and: in order to regain possession of their ship, foreed to pay far more In'rangom money than would have iven ald' in squeeze.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.