New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-01
Agents Agree to Let Them
Meet Incoming Liners
as Men Do
CLIMB SEA LADDERS
AT THEIR OWN PERIL
Ci1ivairOus Frenchman,
Leader of Opposition, Is
First to Grant Concession

May women reporters go down tire
bay to board incoming liners and take
chance on being hurled into the sea
from treacherous ladder?
They may
1t was so decreed yesterday at the
Custom House by dozen steamship
agents, who were invited by Collector
Dudley Field Malone to meet a small
army OF women writer's who had been
deprived Of their rights in the pursuit
of happiness and news by these same
steamship men.
This was the first time Mr.. Malone
had sat as an unofficial trial judge IN
a case OF Suffraglst VS.. Iceberg Bust
ness Man, and his diplomacy might have
failed had it not been for NJ. Oscar L.
Cauchols. representative OF the Com.
pagnie Generate TransatlantIque and
WHIP Of the steamship agent majority.
II. Cauchois entered the Collector
Office determined that no one, male or
female, should hereafter beard a
French liner from the coast guard cut
ter in these days Of war.
at isn't even up TO the captain
whether they shall so aboard or not
he remarked gruiiiy 20 William Hart
field. of the Italian lines. 1T is what
say that goes"
Canary Is Banishcd
This observation came a few min
utes before the Malone conference
opened and while the women writers
were struggling IN.
Presently Mr. Malone announced that
he would receive the factions IN his
4 hon .sI
by Mrs. William l. Colt, walked ~
ahead Of the steamship agents.
Mr. Malone explained that ne Wa
neutral: informed the women that the
steamship agents had come as court
esy and must not be grilled, and then
ordered the removal of his pet canary,
which had sung too loudly throughout
his Introductory remarks.
Mrs Rheta Childe Dorr, one CT the
writer's. said that women were COM
RELIED these days 10 compete with the
men IN the pursuit OF news; that they
were physically able 20 handle them
selves on sea ladders and were as will
ing TO risk life and limb as a mon.
". Cauchois tapped impatiently upon
the chair with the collectors ebony
ruler. but when the speaker told OF the
great male tasks the women of France
and England we're taking up for the
good of the land the man from the
French Line gave close attention.
VI. Cauchois Capitulates
Other women spoke along these lines
and when they had finished the sollec-
tor asked if any cared 70 speak for the
steamship agents. Instantly VI. eau
chois was on his feet, Deaming upon the
writer's who had come 20 oppose his
rulings. lie was for them now, 70 the
limit; he was prepared then and there
10 permit any woman writer 20 board
any of his ships. although a momeri
before he said the United States 90
eminent had requested that all persons
not passengers be kept of the vessels
81 appreciate deeply what YOU ladie.
have said about the women Of the wal
declared VI. Cauchois. In behalf 81
the women Of France / can say that
appreciate how much you all Will DO
for an ideal It would be discourteoUs
Of me, indeed. if I did not break down
all barriers and give you an equal
chance with the men reporters
IF they would waive liability for
death or injury he was prepared 70 49,
sue all worthy women writers an an
nual pass giving them permission 10
board all steamships coming IN and go
ing out of port.
One by one the other steamship
agents followed the action OF VI. eau
chois, but Thomas stead Of the Cunard
Line. said the question would receive
further consideration with the heads
Of his company.