New-York tribune., 1902-04-06
BAGGAGE INSPECTION EVILS
SECRETARY SHAW REPLIES TO Pc
TITION FROM WOMEN-RE-
FORMS PROPOSED.

Washington Apru 5-Secretary Shaw has sent
letter TO each Of the women who recently signed
paper addressed TO him complaining Of Ill treat
nent at the hands Of baggage inspectors AT the
mort OF New-York The Secretary says that On re-
ceipt Of the petition circular letter was sent 70
each signer asking more specific statement and
the facts on which the conclusions recited IN the
petition were based. This circular was sent to
400 women whose addresses were given IN the pc
tition A little 500 were returned for the want
OF sufficient addresses Of the 200 remaining the
department has received 1S5 answers on the follow
ing grievances That receipted bills not accepted
as proof of value; that duties are often imposed
on old clothing: that trunks emptied on the
wharf that impertinent questions are asked ana
remarks made which are humiliating. The answers
the Secretary says may be summarized as follows:
Number who report Illegal demand by officer. o
Number who claim to have paid on 'e non-on'iao.e g
NambeF who report having had receipted bills a. -
NaSer RnGe Who say receipted bills accepted
NanbeT proc. Who say reoepted bills accepted
San6er p5Ss who say their emped on the
NsnSer who say they were personally Inundated by
Nunaber who complain of dscourtesy ......--- Z
complain Of DISCRIMINATION 6y oosGs SO
Number who complain Of delay @
Number who have other sPech9 sTeyslfss Iaefs5r 4S
Humber who they have had no personal experience
E,.n1Ser who report having representations
who signed general principles
object making any declaration
who object 10 the 500
Number having bribed inspectors
S1nfer who reiterate declaration contained IN the
original petition. favoring the enforcement OF the
Number who object TO departments letter OF in
Qury
The want Of definite charges, the Secretary con-
times renders Il well nigh impossible to conduct
speci1c investigation The department, he says
viii do all in its power reduce legitimate causes
OF counpIatnt to the minimum. The Secretary says
he is surprised that the women who signed the
petition report so little personal inconvenience
Continuing he says:
r, the piers were the property OF the United States
very Important changes might be made. have re-
ouesed that the several steamship companies pro-
tide a specal room, that they allow the govern
menr 10 construct presentabe, and II need De-
variable counters. with screens about them. so as
m ladies' who have so courteousiy called my at
terion 10 this evil join in soliciting the steamship
cornnanies 10 cooperate in remedying the same
II is gratifying recall that the original petition
directs attention to the fact that the signers are
desrous Of the enforcement of the law quite
the responses to the departments cir
c,1ia- letter recommend strct enforcement OF the
statute against such persons as attempt TO sfnugsle
The Secretary then quotes the law regarding
declaration and examination. and says that in
the face Of this statute he does not see how either
the declaration or the examination can be omitted
In conclusion he says:
And now with regard TO remedies: 1t is the inten-
-,on Of the department to prepare circular con-
tanning suggestions to travellers the same TO De
given them they are leaving our ports, ana At
Is hoped this will be OF assistance in preparing a
correct schedule for examination on their return
In addition a deputy viii always be In attendance
IN whom any ncivity can be reported Other
will be made from time TO tlrne as
they found practicable.