They simply could not keep themselves or their children clean. Salt water was all that was available. and that Is almost impossible to wash with. Vermin in abundance is the plague of every woman and child in the steerage and many of the men as well. and no wonder. No pen can describe the washing and toilet rooms. This is a serious matter from a hygienic point of view. The rooms were almost unbearably filthy. During our seventeen days trip the steerage was washed out but once. Driven like cattle In the betweendecks. with all hatches closed but one. the air was unbearable. but our protest did not help. As long as such large numbers of passengers are allowed to occupy such a small space and the conditions are not Improved the steerage will continue to be a disgrace to humanity. Mr. Speaker. I also wish to quote the following from the minority report signed by me: Under the law as it now exists the herding together of people who travel in the steerage has been the cause of untold suffering. misery. and death among those who have to travel that way. Anyone who has ever witnessed the plight of those who have to travel in the steerage of the large steamships bringing people to America is bound to be shocked at the brutal and even murderous conditions under which many of them have to travel. We will give one quotation. from the report of Commissioner Watchorn. who has charge of the station at Ellis Island. Referring to section 42. he says: "It is a matter of regret that that portion of the act of February 20. 1907. relating to improved conditions on passenger ships. was not made operative earlier than 1909.
Keywords matched
steerage