New-York tribune., 1909-12-14
STEERAGE HORRORS
REPORT IN SENATE.
Men and Women Inspectors
Recommended for EUery Ship.
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Washington. Dec. I3.-A graphic descr,p-
ton Of actual steerage conditions is con-
tained in a preliminary report OF the i'm
migration commission presented 70 the SEN
ate to-day by Senator Dillingham;
The report is based on information OBJ
tained by special agents Of the commission
who travelled as steerags passengers on
twelve different transatlantic steamers and
on observations OF the steerags in two
others. as well as OF ships of every coast
wise line carrying immigrants from one
United States port TO another This frves-
tigation was carried on last year when i'm
migration was light and the steerage was
practically al it's best
The report describes the horrors of the
old type steerage. and says that unfortu-
nately they are still found in a majority
of the vessels bringing immigrants to this
country This type recognizes he univer-
sal human needs Of space, air, food. sleep
and privacy 10 the degree now made com
pulsory by law. Beyond that, the persons
carried are looked upon as so mucn freight.
with mere transportation as their only
due"
The commission believes that the new
type Of steerage can be made general in
stead Of exceptional. as is the case az
that the new steerage rules prescribed by
the act which took effect on January /
fully conform 10 all that can be demanded
The commission recommends the imme-
date enactment OF legislation providing for
the placing of government officials. both
men and women, on vessels carrying third
class and steerage passengers, the expense
{" be borne by the steamship companies
4 further recommendation is that at in
tervals the bureau Of immigration shall
send investigators in the guise of immi-
grants 70 study conditions
One woman agent says: Every impress
sion was offensive. Worse than this was
the general air OF immortality For fifteen
hours each day I witnessed all around me
this improper. indecent and forced ming
ling OF men and women who were total
strangers and often did not understand one
word Of the same language. People cannot
live in such surroundings and not be in
iuenced''
The sleeping quarters are described as
being in many cases filthy. inadequate and
all that is bad. The average berth is six
feet long and two feet wide with only two
and one-half feet Of space above II. and
that Is all the space 10 which the passen-
ger can assert a definite right In that
space he has 10 sleep and find room also
for his baggage. all Of his extra clothing.
his eating utensils. his towels and other
toilet necessaries- The passageways be
tween the berths are so narrow that none
Of the articles mentioned could BE- de-
posted there.
The floors when iron. are continually
damp, and when OF wood they reek with
foul odors because they are not washed
The open deck available 70 the steerage
is described as very limited. Much space
is devoted 70 the lack Of ventilation and 20
bad conditions in Vashrooms and toilet
rooms
Regular dining rooms are not a part Of
the old type steerags On such ships none
OF the men have places 70 sit when a. their
meals and provision Is not made for all
or the women The food served is described
fair in quality. but usually spoiled by
being wretchedly prepared
The new statute, which IL was supposed
would obviate filth and provide ventilation
for the steerage passengers, took effect
January l OF the present year
Under existing conditions on some Of the
steamships. where the old type steerage
prevails. the report says, il is impossible
for a woman 70 keep even reasonably clean.
Senator Dillingham;. chairman OF the I'm
migration Commission, introduced In the
Senate to-day two bills intended 10 correct
much OF the evil OF which complaint is
made