Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-12-14

We're improvised after the vessel
| commenced her voyage. and were
wholly unfit from all standpOints
Although the vessel crossed the
equator twice on the voyage. no
! bath rooms We're provided. and up TO
within few weeks OF the compile
ton OF the voyage the only way in
which bath OF any kind could be
taken was in the public washrooln
, \ short time before the vessel ar
rived at Honolulu waterpipe was
fixed ~ in such way that some
thing resembling shower bath
could be taken. but there was little
privacy even as TO this
No attempt appears to have been
made to muster the passengers on
deck when weather permitted as re-
quired by law: or To air ar clean
the bedding during the entire vow
age, and when the vessel arrived AT
Honolulu il became necessary To burn,
all the mattresses. The grand Jury
stated that no opportunities were
afforded the passengers for keeping
clean and that il is To be wondered
No more deaths occurred than actu-
ally took place.
The master of the vessel. James
Findlay attempted to explain the
existing conditions by stating that
shout 10 DAYS after leaving Gibralter
there was riot between the Portu-
gese and Spanish male passengers. re-
sulting in a pitched battle with
knives, clubs. cleaVers and pistols.
To prevent further trouble the Por-
tuSese passengers were placed aft.
while the Spanish passengers were put
in the forward part of the vessel
This resulted in the cOmmingling OF
the sexes. He mentions the refusal
of the passengers to assist in keep
ing the vessel clean and states that
the lack Of cleanliness on their part
had much to do with the conditions.
The ships doctor stated that he
would not permit the compartments
10 be washed as this would have re-
suited in unavoidable dampness
which would he detrimental: that all |
accumulations were rendered harm |
less by disinfectants: that the sleep |
ing compartments were scraped with |
shovels every day and swept. and
that the parents concealed the ILL.,
ness of their children and refused |
medical attention.
Commissioner of Navigation Cham |
berlain described this case as the |
worst which had come To his atten- /
ton and expressed his concurrence in /.
the following paragraph of scath- |
ing arraisnment by the grand jury.
We cannot emphasize too strongly |
the necessity for the observance Of /
regulations requiring vessels to be /
kept in clean and sanitary condi-
ton. When poor immigrants, per-
hsps unaccustomed to modern
methods OF sanitation are brought
Hawaii. not only their own good but
the good Of the community in gem
eral is subserved by a rigid insist
ance on compliance with the law"
The Passenger Act Of 1882 aims to
safeguard on steerage ships the COM
fort and health both moral and phys
ical Of future American citizens and
10 prevent their being landed in a
weakened and perhaps disease-in-
fected condition because Of Improper
ventilation or sanitation on the voy--
age. When a vessel enters a port !
of the United states with steerage
passengers she is boarded by customs
officers. under the direction of the
Bureau Of Navigation. Department of
Commerce and Labor. Before the
passengers are landed every portion
OF the steerage is examined: the
space allotted each person is noted-
the number and size of the berths:
the manner and extent of ventila-
zion, lighting and the amount and
quality Of food furnished: the size
and equipment OF hospital spaces
and that a doctor is on board: that
reasonable privacy and the separation
Of the sexes both from each other.
and also from the officers and crew.
has been secured; and that the Of
Iicers have maintained discipline and :
cleanliness Of the vessel throughout .
he voyage. These examinations d.
nave brought about great improve
ncnts i'm steerage conditions. and on .
rams Atlantic liners violations are :
are