The New York herald., 1879-11-23
VOICES FROM THE STEERAGE.

BAD FOOD AND NoN-sEPARATIoN OF THE SEXES
COMPLAINED oF-sTATEMENTs IN DENIAL.
Commissioners of Emigration Kaufman. Starr and
Hurlburt continued the investigation at Castle Gar
den yesterday of the steerage abuses the steam
ship Canada Of the French llne during her last trip
from Aavre to this port. Anton Webber, who swore
that he had been authorized to make the complaints
for other passengers, said that during the voyage
the officers of the ship did not furnish the food speci
fed in their contract. He stated that during two
days only the passengers served with the dinner
and supper described the bill of fare He
knowledged however, that they received plenty of
potatoes and bread and that sometimes boullon
and potato salad were furnished. On three occa-
sions, he claimed, the food furnished was insult
icient but he admitted that at the end Of the voy-
age. when complaints were made to the steward. an
additional supply of eatables was given He
claimed that his party being German. could not make
their wants known to the officers Of the ship. The
passengers never had soup tea for breakfast but
only black coffee. with cognac brandy instead OF
milk. There was no separation OF the sexes and
sailors allo wed to sleep in the steerage apart
ments. He said that families with small children
in the habit OF using lamps to warm condensed
milk, and that these We're taken from them When
they demonstrated they were told to complain
to Bismarck He asserted that woman and two
children very sick. and the doctor did
them for over two hours. The above testimony
was indorsed by seventeen passengers in all par
ticuiars excepting the charge against the doctor.
ANSWER OF THE STEAMSHIP COMPANY.
In answer to these complaints Mr.. Louis de Be-
bian, agent of the French line of steamers said that
the charge of not separating the the only
real ground OF complaint. He claimed that this
the fault of the passengers themselves, because
families asked to be together and brought with them
other persons He said that in the future this would
be remedied. He maintained that the food fur
nished was OF the best quality. He acknowledged
that brandy was given with coffee instead OF milk
and said 1t the custom French vessels.
Captain Franguel, OF the Canada, testified that no
complaints had been made to HIM during the voy-
age Of the non-separation of the sexes. He had
visited the steerage almost every day, accompanied
by the doctor and commissaire. and when he (the
captan) was detained on deck the commissaire
obliged to report to him at nine oclock each morn
sengers. The purser testified that the food was
cellent; that there was plenty Of it, and that
dcnsed milk was furnished to the women aud chill
dren whenever it was asked Tor. The doctor OF the
Canada claimed that he had been very attentive to
steerage passengers. After hearing the evidence the
Commissioners decided that there grounds
for complaints regard to the food They objected,
and obtained promise from the agent Of the line
that this abuse would be remedied.
Johan Keller and fifteen other steerage passengers
natives OF Switzerland, who arrived here yesterday
from Liverpool by the Baltic of the White Star
line, complained of the bad quality of the coffee
and tea furnished them, and SAID that the salt meat
unit to eat. They also complained that they
compelled to 70 on deck In rough weather.
while English speaking passengers were allowed to
remain in their quarters. Keller said that he had
been sick for six Gays during the voyage. and when
ordered on deck he begged to be allowed to remain
in bed, but the steward assaulted him and forced
him to leave the steerage.