MISCELLANEOUS. TREATMENT OF IMMIGRANTS ON STEAMERS IN THE COASTWISE AND INLAND TRAFFIC. ``A certain percentage of the immigrants who are distributed from New York City and other points travel toward their ultimate destination on smaller steamship lines in the coastwise trade. There seems to be no attention whatever paid to the accommodations for or care of immigrants on these ships. On one steamer investigated it was found that steerage passengers were carried in a freight compartment separated from the rest of the vessel only by canvas strips, and that in this compartment the immigrants were not provided with mattresses or bedding. There was practically no separation between the women and the men. On this boat passengers other than aliens who pay the same price as the aliens have regular berths with mattresses and pillows, and a dining room is provided. There is also separation of the sexes. In this compartment the negroes who patronize this line are quartered and receive for the same price much better treatment than the immigrants. This line has carried as many as 200 immigrants on one trip in these freight compartments. On another line, however, which has accommodations for about 50 immigrants in its usual boats, the immigrants could obtain the same food as the crew, but the berths are in three tiers instead of two, as on the trans-Atlantic boats. They are also allowed the freedom of the lower forward deck. On another trip, consisting of but one night, however, the berths for immigrants were in three tiers, and they were given the same food that was served to the crew, and there seems to be care for the immigrants by watchmen and otherwise. On a boat on the Hudson River the description of the cruelties to the immigrants is as follows: ``Forward of the freight, in the extreme bow of the boat, is an open space. I saw immigrants lying on the floor, also on benches, and some were sleeping on coils of rope, in some cases using their own baggage for head rests. Conditions on the other line from New York to Albany were found to be identical, though in neither case was there the excuse of crowding, as there was plenty of room." Of a vessel in the coastwise trade an investigator reports: ``There was no attempt to separate the men from the women, and going into the sleeping quarters found the women and men in all state of dress and undress (mostly the latter). Hot nights they slept on deck, as it was too hot below. Sunday, August 9, 1909, some man crept into the Polish woman's bunk and attempted an assault, but her cries drove him off (this about midnight). Monday night about the same time, presumably same man, now acknowledged to be some member of the crew (sailor)--this information I obtained by talking to some members of the crew (sailors)--attempted or did succeed in assaulting the same woman. The captain started an investigation, but what came of it I was unable to learn, as the matter was hushed up." It is proper to say that this charge was taken up by the proper authorities, but that no further evidence could be obtained. The quarters of that particular boat were clean and well kept and the food fair. It is satisfactory to learn that upon the steamers of the Panama Railroad and Steamship Line, practically owned and operated by the United States Government, the conditions and discipline were found to be good, the only complaint being as to the food, which was said to be of very poor quality and of very scanty allowance on one of the boats. The general comment to make in relation to this class of transportation of the immigrants seems to be that it is left entirely to the companies. If the line is humane and progressive, the immigrants are well treated. If it is not, the immigrants suffer accordingly. In all probability the condition of the immigrants on these ships could be made much better by the enforcement of existing statutes. RESULTS OF THE ITALIAN LAW PROVIDING FOR OFFICIAL INSPECTION. In view of the recommendation that immigrant inspectors and matrons travel on each ship carrying immigrants, the following extracts from a report on an Italian vessel are pertinent. The investigation was made by a woman. ``(a) The food was good, wholesome, and abundant. The water was fresh. Notice was always given before each meal, and the same always served on time. (b) Mothers, infants, and children were supplied twice daily with sterilized condensed milk, and also twice daily with beef tea and noodles. (c) The royal commissioner, the ship commissioner, and often-times the captain, took their places at the head of the line and watched the distribution of the food, to see that the same was served properly. (d) The royal commissioner would always test the food prepared for steerage passengers. If it was found good and palatable, his orders were given to serve same; if not found satisfactory, he saw that it was made fit for serving. (e) The royal commissioner secured special food for steerage passengers who could not eat the food given by the company. (f) Four cooks prepared the meals, two of whom did the service from the kitchen window. Two sailors helped to keep order outside of the kitchen window where the line of men was formed. These assistants were kind, strict, and attended well to their duties. (g) The two entrances leading to the women's compartment were always locked and guarded during the day, prohibiting any who made effort to enter without permission. Passengers were allowed on deck from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. During this time the sailors in charge of the women's compartment performed their regular duties. The compartment was thoroughly washed and disinfected. Two sailors also kept guard at night. (h) Officers, such as the royal commissioner and the doctor, visited the women's compartment only when absolutely needed. On one occasion the captain was called upon to remove a man who wanted to remain with his wife, who was not well. They were given a place by themselves. When the royal commissioner made his rounds he was always accompanied and his interest seemed always for the benefit of the passengers. Without such an officer steerage passengers doubtless would have suffered. For passengers who were not well and unable to digest the foods served by the company, the royal commissioner spoke with the solicitor's approval and enabled them to get something special, such as a piece of beefsteak or beef tea with noodles. Passengers had access to the first-class kitchen and at stated times and with the written permission from the royal commissioner received whatever they could get by paying a regular price for it. Remarks: It was evident that the royal commissioner worked for the interest of the steerage passengers. He was seen very often among them and took the utmost interest to see that they were made comfortable. He administered medicine, arising at night even, to visit extreme cases." A SEAMAN'S STATEMENT. An investigator who was formerly a seaman and has crossed in all classes of ships makes the following comments in regard to third class on one of the newer types of ships: ``I find that all the changes which I proposed to make in the law as stated in my former report are working most satisfactorily on board the -----. I also find that such changes would tend to uplift the average third-class passenger. We had some of the same kind of immigrants on board as on the other ships. I have watched these people closely on the -----, and have noticed a remarkable difference in the behavior and cleanliness of the people on board the steamer. I had a suit of old clothes myself which I wore going out on the -----. I intended to wear it back, but did not dare to nor want to, because nearly all passengers were dressed very well indeed." He also states that he was so well treated that he was really obliged to tip the stewards. Some of the women whose cleanliness, neat clothing, and general good behavior he praises were from the races where the women wear no hats, but do wear boots, and were thus clad."" |
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