Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-14

early with a seve1v cold the chief steer age steward entered our compartment, but, not noticing me, approached a Polish girl whom was apparently the only occupant
 She spoke in Polish, saying: My head aches-please go on and let me alone But he continued and soon was insulting her. The girl, weakened by seasickness, defended herself as best she could, but soon was struggling to get out of the mans arms. Just then other passengers entered and he re- leased her. Such was the man who was our highest protector and court of appeal.
 T cannot say that any woman lost her virtue on this passage. but in making free with the women the men of the crew went as far as possible without exposing themselves to the danger of punishment. But this limit is no doubt frequently overstepped. Several of the crew told me that many of them marry girls from the steerage. When insinuated that they could scarcely become we'll enough ac- quainted to marry during the passage, the answer was that the acquaintance had already gone so far that marriage was imperative"
 Compelled to Submit to Insults.
 LCcCAlO111S lltl lAlCl llOW OlCCA age passengers were compelled to sub init to insults, the report says of the passage just referred to that not one young woman in the steerage escaped attack The writer herself was no ex- ception and tells of repelling advances on the part of the crew and stewards with a hard, unexpected blow in the offenders face. She says:
 1.-The manner in which the sailors, stewards fiTpraaT1 and nfhnra min clad with the women passengers was thor oughly revolting. Their language and topics of their conversation were vile. Their comments about the women, and made in their presence, were coarse. What was far worse, and of continual occurrence, was their handling of the women and girls. Some of the crew were always on deck and took all man. ner of liberties with the women, in broad daylight as well as after dark"
 Cleanliness Impossible.
 Concerning other conditions in the old type steerage, which still exists on many of the steamships, the agents of the commission are just as severe. Un- der existing conditions on some of the steamships where the old type steer age prevails the report says 1t is i'm possible for a woman to keep even reasonably clean. Of this condition one agent says.
 "No woman with the smallest de- gree of modesty, and with no other conveniences than wash room, used Jointly with men, and faucet of cold salt water, can keep clean amidst such surroundings for a period of twelve days and more. It was forbidden to bring water for washing purposes into the sleeping compartments, nor was there anything in which to bring it. On different occasions some of tEe women rose early, brought brinking water in their soup pails and thus tried to wash themselves effectively, but were driven out when detected by a steward. Others, resorting to extreme measures, used night chambers. which they carry with them for the children, as wash basins. This was done a great deal when preparation was made for landing. Even hair was washed with these vessels. No soap and no towels were supplied"
 Bills Introduced in Senate to Correct
 Conditions.
 Senator Dillingham;, chairman of the immigration commission, introduced in the senate today two bills intending to correct much of the evil Of which com plaint is made