Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-14

Washington, Dec. 13.-A report on steerage conditions, based on infor- nation obtained by special agents of the immigration commission travelling as steerage passengers in different transatlantic steamers, was made pub lie today through presentation to the senate with recommendations for leg islation to better conditions. Condi- tfcns found on many of these vessels are described as appalling, notwith- standing in some cases the letter of the law was obeyed implicitly. This regard for the law, however failed to bring about the desired reforms. Agents Posed as Steerage Passengers
 The general report of the commits sion contains reports of individual agents, giving their experiences on board steamships where they posed as steerage passengers. Summing up one such trip. woman agent of the inn migration commission, who was her. self miserably insulted and compelled to withstand privations which were yepulsive to her nature, said:
 Surroundings Offended Every Sense. steerage I lived in a disorder and in surroundings that offended every sense. Only the fresh breeze from the sea overcame the sickening odors. The vile language of the men, the screams of the women defending them selves, the crying of children, wretch cd because of their surroundings and practically. every sound that reached the ears irritated beyond endurance. There was no sight before which the eye did not prefer to close.
 General Air of Immortality.
 ~Evsrything was dirty, sticky and +~ 4I-~ h T-y-. pression 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 mingling of men and wo- men 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- nuenced."
 The woman agent had described the mingling of the crew with the women of the steerage and said that the same conditions were true of the associa- ton of the men steerage passengers with the women.
 Male steerase Passengers in Women's
 Quarters.
 Agents of the immigration commits sion say that on many of the steam ships men stewards and members of the crew. as well as male steerage passengers, crowd into the compart- rnents set aside for women and con- stantly pass through the passageways of such compartments so that no wo- man in the steerage had a moment of privacy"
 The women agents of the commits sion say that the women's compart- ments in which they were quartered had but one entrance and exit, so that there could be no good excuse for the constant appearance of the men. It is said that during the hour preced- ing the breakfast bell, while the wo- men were rising and dressing, sev- eral men usually passed through and returned, for no ostensible reasons. Stopped to Watch the Women Dress.
 Members of the crew." says one woman agent, never failed to deal a woman passenger a blow when she was found standing on the framework of a lower berth to get anything from an upper berth. If a woman were dress ing they always stopped to watch her, and frequently hit and handled her. How the Crew Made Free With tho
 Women.
 "One night when I had retired very