Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 3).djvu/361

 authority to make special regulations, in excess of the law, for the prevention of sickness on board ship during the prevalence of epidemics; that the space allowed under the existing Act should be increased; that it should be obligatory to provide water-closets in the "between decks" for women and children; that a more ample dietary should be prescribed; that no ship should carry more than 500 passengers; that the number of passengers necessary to bring a ship under the Act should be reduced from one to twenty-five to one to fifty tons; that the exemption of ships carrying mails should be clearly defined; that runners should be required to wear badges; and, finally, that the subsistence-money in case of detention should be increased.

Concurrently with the proceedings taken on this side of the Atlantic, the Senate of the United States also took the matter up, but they relied, chiefly, on the answers given to a series of questions framed and addressed to parties competent to give information. Their recommendations, therefore, well deserve notice. Thus, they urged that a space should be reserved on the upper deck for exercise in proportion to the number carried; that a ship's capacity should be limited by tonnage as well as space; that, during the winter months, the number allowed in proportion to tonnage should be reduced; that no passengers should be carried on an orlop deck; that the number of privies should be increased, with separate accommodation for females; that provisions should be issued cooked; that rules should be established for the maintenance of discipline; and, lastly, that the ship should be made responsible to the extent of the