Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-12
TRANSPORTATION OF IMMIGRANTS
Observations OF Assistant Secretary Spaslt
ing During His Recent Trip to Europe.

Observations OF Assistant Secretary Spasld-
ing During His Recent Trip to Europe.
O. L. Spsulding, assistant secretary Of the
treasury, has returned from q trip to Europe,
where he spent five weeks in investigating the
compliance by steamship companies with the
law in regard to the transportation of
immigrants from foreign countries to
tho United States. In addition to
returning increased health. Mr.. spaulding
brings back with him Q store Of information
touching immigration matters obtained by per-
sonal observation. During his absence Mr..
spaulding visited Hamburg, Antwerp, Rotter-
dam, London and Liverpool, at all Of which
ports he made personal visits to
the immigration depots and OBJ
steamship transportation companies in the
handling OF immigrants. He found as a rule
little to criticise in the present systems now
IN force by the steamship companies. These
transportation companies, Mr.. Spaulding said,
had a wholesome dread Of the law and seemed
to be anxious TO comply with all the re-
quirements. and exactions imposed by United
States through its officials. Not only this, but
from prudential reasons selfish to themselves,
these transportation companies did not want to
bring infected or pauper immigrants to the
United States. in the former case for the reason
the latter instance because such pauper immi-
grants would have to be returned at their own
expense.
At Hamburg (Mr. Spaulding said it was per-
haps the Port from which the largest number of
immigrants coming to the United States were
shipped) the transportation companies had
built large and commodious building. run by
the companies, and at which the immigrants
previous to their embarkation were lodged.
There the immigrants were examined by medi-
cal oficers Of the company with view to
aseertaining il any OF the immigrants had an
infectious disease. This examination was very
thorough. All immigrants there had also prior
to their departure to thoroughly cleanse them
selves in the bath rooms Of the build
ing, and while they were in the
bath their clothes were taken out and
thoroughly fumigated and aired In addition
to this as the immigrants boarded the ship they
had to undergo a further inspection by two
medical officers approved by the United States
consul and in the presence of the United States
vice consul All this expense is borne by the steam
ship companies. The same state of affairs praca
tically exists at Bremen, Rotterdam, Antwerp
and Liverpool.
Mr.. Spaulding on his return trip in the Spree
visited the Storage of that vessel, which had
on board about 400 steerage passengers.
He found that they had ample quarters, fresh
air and good food. well cooked. His
observation in this direction extended no
lurtncr tlai tue Spree. anu ne cOUlu not say
whether the same conditions existed in all
steamers transporting immigrants. His i'm
preston and belief from what he heard from
United States officials abroad was that the
reputable steamship lines provided proper ac-
commodations for immigrants. and that the
crowding of the steerage with immigrants,
causing poor ventilation, giving them poor and
unwhOlesome food, were confined, with few ex-
ceptions, to what are known as tramp steam
ers. As a result of Mr.. Spaulding's observations
abroad he will formulate a series of
rules to regulate the transportation
OF immigrants. tramp steamers and others. so
as to bring them all under the supervision and
control Of the Treasury Department Mr..
SpauldiAg says that he has no doubt that the
Secretary OF the Treasury has this authority I'M
der the general immigration laws. and in
forming the rules he will incorporate
many of the suggestions contained in the bill
introduced in Congress this session for the
betterment of the immigration laws. but which
failed to become laws, together with such prac-
tical suggestions as he gathered himself in the
course Of his recent trip.