The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-04-11
WOMEN'S ACTIONS ON
Liner SHOCK men

NEW YORK, Special.-Attention OF
the United States immigration autho-
rifles was redirected Wednesday night
to complaint signed by Professor
Theodore l.. Neff. OF the University of
Chicago, and other passengers against
the conduct Of women aboard the
North German Lloyd Line steamship
Bremen to this port. ending on March
29th-
Professor Neff says he caused the
detention on Ellis Island OF several
women passengers, pending investiga-
tion OF their character. in consequence
OF their actions at sea.
There were about q dozen women"
said the Professor in Chicago yester-
day, whose conduct was outrageous.
Day by day they became more brazen
in their actions Ships officers firted
openly with them. Every one aboard
ship was forced to witness this.
Had to Let worst One" In.
Finally a group OF us decided to
try to prevent the landing of the ,vo-
men. 1 drew up letter and ten
other passengers signed it, 1t was
given to the United States ImmiRra-
down the bay.
The worst woman OF the group had
passport and the inspector could
not prevent her landing. But after
two OF US had made affidavits that six
OF the other women had been guilty
OF improper conduct they were de-
tanned at Ellis Island.
The chip companies should be
FORCED to refuse passage to immoral
women. i have written to the com
pany at Bremen asking that methods
at least be adopted by which decent
passengers will not be forced TO wit
ness such outrageous conduct"
1t was learned lest night that on the
trip of the Koenigin Luise a woman
passenger, when promenadinR the
deck, looked through q stateroom port
and was shocked by what she said
she saw. On her complaint a man
and woman, passengers, were taken
to Ellis Island for an inquiry as TO
their moral qualifications to land.
When the witness was asked to testify
against them she refused to do so.
and they were discharged.
mo Evidence OF ImDroprietv.,
Assistant Commissioner of fmmi-
grafton Byron II. Uhl said Wednesday
night that because of affidavfts nv
Professor Neff and other passengers
four women and two men had been
taken to Ellis Island for examination
but nothing in the evidence proved
there had been impropriety, and the
men and two OF the women were dis
charged. The other women Will be
deported because they have not money
~ reach lnelr destinations.
Mr.. Uhl said written complaint
had been produced, but il contained
no facts at ALL
Captain Besch, OF the Koenigin
Luise, said Wednesday night:
NO Complaint TO Me'-Captain.
| Professor Men sat at my table on
the way over. saw nothing wrong
In the saloon. He never complained
10 me. Had the professor seen any
thing wrong that was the time 10
make complaint and the man 70
] receive IL.
! Neither by action nor by word did
Professor Nen intimate that he had
seen or heard anything wrong. Al
! night everything was serene in the
cabin. saw nothing out OF the way
nor did any of my officers"
( When Captain Besch was told OF
Professor Neff's statement that some
| OFFICERS had flirted with women the
commanders eyes glared.
That is nonsense" he snapped
! The ships officers know how Sc.
i rious matter flirting and improper
conduct is. They do not take am
| liberties with passengers under any
circumstances i heard Of the six pas
senSers who were taken to Ellis Is
land 1 am not certain that they are
10 be deported, but / know none OF
them is going back on my ship"