New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-07
SEEKING FOR MORE FACTS.
SENATORS EXAMINE HEALTH OFFICERS.
THE IMMIGRATION COMMITTEES CHAIRMAN
TELLS OF THE RESULT

consultation held at the Fifth Avenue Hotel
last evening between the chairman of the Congress
committee investigating immigration matters here
one or two of its MEMBERS and some Of the immi-
grafton officials The conference lasted about four
boure and n full account Of the recent discovery
Of typhus cases made known to the members Of
the committee. senator Chandler the chairman took
notes during the conference, and what information
hc secured last evening will doubt be given to the
subcommittee which is to be appointed to continue
the investigation This subcommittee will thoroughly
famiarize itself with the present system OF handling
and landing immigrants. and if any improvement on
il can be made il will be recommended In the com
mittee's report. The conference held last evening
was behind closed doors, but after the gathering had
adjourned Senator Chandler told Tribune reporter
what information the committee had learned.
1--WE wished TO know all about the typhus cases.
said the Senator, and just what the
present situation really is and that IS what the
immigration officers were here for. From what we
have learned, there three deaths on the Massia,
but typhus not what killed those passengers One
died. from consumption. another from dphthera, ana
the third from bronchitis. The ship arrived on Jan
uary 80. and it February IL before the first case
of typhus was reported The doctors who were here
say that they do think anybody was to blame for
any Of the getting through, yphus in It's early
stages Is likely deceive the best physicians As 1t was
twelve DAYS after the ship landed before the first case
reported. it is easy 10 sec That the snip surgeon
blamc-at least mat IL tIe ophlIou vi al
the doctors There is doubt that the most udicous
methods 10 prevent the disease from spreading were
taken rs soon as typhus discovered. The lnforma
ton was sent abroad, and the steamship companies
were warned to exercise great In handling passen-
gers bound for this country We are Informed that uie
New-York City health officers acted with great Ngor'
and that the thoroughly Isolated ana that
although there were 100 of yphus. there have
been only six Deaths and the doctors say that there
&c ems fOr
1--WE had talk about the methods OF the ouaran-
tine officers and if they can be improved, or simpihed
the subcommittee will make suggestions, no doubt, In
that direction. Under the present law. ships are com
PEELED to carry a surgeon only where there are fifty
passengers or more on board. This. THINK, should
be changed SO compel every passenger ship, no
matter II only a dozen passengers are on board, TO
carry a surgeon. The disease Is Just as likely to
break out among few passengers rs among many.
The typhus which brought on the Massilla was
probably In the baggage and tie disease DID not taae
here. The disease may have been in the bag,
gage brought from Odessa or COnstanunopie' anu
and cities on the European side OF the Atlantic II
the authorities on the other side WIZ not take the
trouble 10 see that emigraniS coming over here are
free from disease. then it is about time for decisive
measures TO be taken In 1sos or dSs5' we % yrcIe
Hamburg. The disease was not discovered until II
reached here and when an investigation was made it
house in Hamburg. The authorities the other side
should be just as vgihnt those mt this port, or
We win get than share Of European diseases
The members Of the committee who did not return
TO Washington saturday night will start for the
Senator David b. Hill, member Of the committee
was conspicuous by hi; absence at the conference at
utes' walk OF the hotel at the time of the gathering
but. It is said he had some important personal mat
fers 10 attend TO- and therefore could not come Sen
ator Chandler apolozed the nonappearance Of the
junior senator nom Newiork but said that Mr. I'M 1,I
had been attending more TO oher matters tan 10 'e
business Of the committee.