New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-07
FOR FERRYBOAT REFORMS.
WOMEN CONFER WITH PRESIDENTS OF
THE VARIOUS COMPANIES.
LILLE DEvEREUX BLAKE. MRS. P HACK
STAFF AND HARRIET A. KEYSER AMONG
THOSE WHO TOOK PART IN
immortal Isis.
THE CAUSE

The office of James J. CooGan president or the
Borough OF Manhattan. presented an unusual ana
animated appearance yesterday afternoon wheh
large body Of women. headed by Mrs. Lille Dew
ereux Blake president of the Civic and political
Equality Union Of the City Of Network. mar,hed
IN 10 confer with the presidents OF the various
ferry companies and the local Board OF PUBIC
improvements Of the Tenth and Twentieth DIS
tricts The conference was called at the instance
Of the union which represents about one thousand
women to protest against the present manage
rnent Of the ferry boats and demand redress Mrs
Blake voicing the grievances of the women. said:
You gentlemen know perfectly we'll the disgrace
ful conditions Of .he cabins supposed TO be occu-
pjed by the men. We do not ask great things or
extensive things: but beg you to make the
mems cabins clean. decent and At for respectable
men. and then insist that shall not be allowed
10 sit in the women's cabin while the women have
70 stand. We also ask that eXpectoration be pro-
h!bited in all parts of the boat. and that smoking
be allowed only in the rear part Of the main deck
Mrs Priscilla D. Hackstaff. Of Brooklyn. In be-
half Of her sisters the other side OF the river
begged that some provision be made so that the
working women might find seats curing rus"
hours.
Miss Harriet A. Keyser also took up the cause
Of the working girls OF the city Women don't
ike 10 make fuss" she said. but we have TO
be disagreed BILE sometimes-perhaps ] am to-day.
But plead for these economic factors OF the State.
give I'D their seats in the mems cabin. but | DO
ask that seats be reserved for women in the wom-
EMS cabin and that men shall not sit while women
stand I believe'that you viii do what we ASK
for l have confidence in men. and think they VIII
DO what is asked Of them" ,.
Mrs. Graham. of Queens. and Mrs Margare.
Rayenhil agreed with the previous speakers. ana
again demanded. Clean up the mems cabins. ana
then they will he willing 10 give the women
chance 10 sit in their own. " co.
The complaints being all IN. President Coosan
gave chance 10 the various ferry presidents 70
speak for themselves. The Pennsylvania repre-
sentative thanked the women present for excepting
his line Of ferries Joseph Reilly OF the BROOK,
Ign ferry, looked most unhappy put sa'u ne "ouin
make a report to his company. -,
Hope IL will be effectual.' added Mrs Blake
Walter C. Foster of the College Point Line
when asked TO speak declared his company was
only TOO anxious to accommodate the women; ana
that he was there listen and see II he could ma
what they wanted. -. 49,, 10000, o,a
This elected great applause from the women ana
The approving words from Mrs Blake-"Your cab
ins are perfect
Lawson \ Fuller characterzed the cars and
terrvhoats a. a disgrace TO civilization, ana oe-
clared II he wore dresses. as women dln ne shouin
hold them high. - .1,-ou w.
form - said he turning to the men present and
cont make il necessary for these women 10 Coi"e
Mrs blake then announced. in behalf OF the
union that memorials had been sent 10 the dliier-
eni ferry companies. and that matters Would pc
left their hands. hoping for better coholtiohs III
the future ,--..,... raw,
II was later announced that the Executive CON-
rojtea az The Board had passed favoraoly upon the
memorial and that II would he submitted 10 the
Nunicinal Council next Tuesday.