The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-14
Stories Of immortality and Filth
on Board Atlantic Steam
ers Are Appalling
WOMEN TREATED LIKE
DOGS BY SHIPS CREWS
Special Agents of the immigration
Commission Make Report Which
Is Presented to the Senate
To Secure Relief.

Washington, December 13.--A report of
conditions based on information obtained
by special agents of the immigration
commission travelling as steerage passen-
gers on different transatlantic steamers
was made public today through presenta-
ton to the Senate with recommendations
for legislation to better conditions Condi-
tions found on many of these vessels are
described as appalling.
The general report of the commission
contains the reports of individual agents
giving their experience on board steam
ships where they posed as steerage pas
sengers A woman agent who was her
self miserably insulted and compelled to
withstand repulsive privations, said:
During these II days In the steerage |
lived in a disorder and in surroundings
that offended every sense. Only the fresh
breeze from the sea overcame the sick
ening odors The vile language of the
men, the screams of the women defend-
ing themselves, the crying of children,
wretched because of their surroundings,
and practically every subject that reached
the ears irritated beyond endurance. There
was no sight before which the eye did
not prefer to close.
everything was dirty, sticky and dis
agreeable to the touch. Every impression
was offensive. Worse than this was the
general air of immortality For Is hours
each day | Witnessed all around me this
improper indecent and forced mingling
of men and women, who were total stran-
gers and often did not understand one
word of the same language People can
not live in such surroundings and not be
influenced.
The woman agent had told of the ming
ling of the crew with the women of the
steerage and said that the same condi-
tions were true of the association of men
steerage passengers with the women.
Agents of the immigration commission
saw that on many of the steamships men
stewards and members of the crew as
we'll as male steerage passengers, crowd
into the compartments set aside for the
women and constantly pass through the
passageways of such compartments so
that no woman in the steerage had a
moments privacy
Imposition on Women.
members of the crew." says one wom-
an agent. never failed to deal woman
passenger a blow when she was found
standing on the framework of lower
birth to get anything from an upper
berth. If a woman were dressing they al
ways stopped to watch her and frequently
hit her and handled her.
'.One night the chief steerage steward
entered our compartment. but not notic
ing us, approached a Polish girl who
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 sea sickness, de-
Tended herself as best she could but soon
was struggling to get out of the mans
arms. Just then other passengers entered
and he released her.
The writer tells of repelling advances
on the part of the crew and steward with
n hard unexpected blow in the Offenders
face. She says: 1.-THE manner in which
the sailors, stewards, firemen and others
mingled with the women passengers were
thoroughly revoiting. Their language and
the 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 oc-
currence. was their handling of the wom-
en- and girls
Poor Accommodations.
Concerning other conditions in the old
type steerage, which still exists on many
mission are just as severe. In the intro
duction to the report it is stated '4The
universal human needs of space, air. food,
sleep and privacy are recognized to thef
degree now made compulsory by law,
Beyond that the persons carried are
looked upon as SO much freight, with
mere transportation as their only due
The sleeping quarters are described as
being in many cases filthy, inadequate
"a all tof fo ,oA
described in connection with investiga-
tions of some steamships, and 1t is de-
clared that competition was the most
forceful influence that led to the devel-
opment of the improved type of steer
age.
Under existing conditions on some of
the steamships, where the old type steer
age prevails, the report says 1t is inn
possible for a woman to keep even reas-
onably clean. OF this condition one agent
SAYS mo woman with the smallest de-
gree of modesty, and with no other con-
yenience than a wash room, used Jointly
with men, and q faucet Of cold salt water
can keep clean amidst such surroundings
for period of 12 days and more 1t is
forbidden to bring water for washing pur-
poses into the sleeping compartments, nor
was there anything in which to bring 1t.
ION different occasions some of the
women rose early, brought drinking water
In their soup pals, and thus tried to
wash themselves effectively, but were
driven out when detected by steward;
Others resortinE 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 being made for landing.
Even hair was washed with these ves-
sells. No soap and no towels were sup
plied.''
Senator Dillingham;, chairman Of the i'm
migration commission, introduced in the
Senate today two bills Intended to cor
rect much Of the evil OF which complaint
y made.