Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-11-09
bHE LAUDABLE PURPOSES OF A NEW
YORK COMPANY.
WILL FIND HOMES AND WORK.
WANTS TO ACT IN COOPERATION
WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
Senator Fairbanks. of Indiana, Will
Undertake the Enactment of
Bill to Give the Concern
LOcntiOn on Ellis
Island.

Washington NOV. S.-Senator Fairbanks,
of Indiana has gone to New York for the
purpose of making an inquiry as char-
man of the committee on immigration into
the plans and purposes OF company "hich
was organized in that city last year to re-
lieye the government of its care and respon-
sibiiity concerning immigrants. The object
of this organization is Il mixture OF pusi-
ness and beneyolence 1t proposes 10 erect
a building upon Ellis island. adjoining the
Immigrant depot. which shall be hotel.
hospital, information bureau, forwarding
agency and land Office, and combine all
other necessary aids and agencies for the
benefit of the strangers within our gates.
There are several immigrant aid societies.
associations of phianthropic people who
have agents and missionaries to assist the
ignorant and helpless and protect them
from their own folly and ignorance. And
there are a multitude of railway. steamship
and land agents always on the dock to eX-
tend a friendly welcome in any language TO
the homeseeker. The Italian padrone has
his representatives to meet every steamer
and to draw the willing and the unwilling
into his clutches. He provides them with
shelter and finds them employment. but
they are bound TO him for term of years,
and sometimes indefinitely, by cruel con-
tracts that amount almost TO servitude.
AS long as the immigrants remain under
the shelter of the depot at Ellis island they
have the protection of tho government, and
the United States commissioner has as
sistants who can speak every language to
give them advice and information. but
when they pass the gate they enter an un-
known world. ignorant. credulous and help
less. and a horde OF wolves waits outside
for such prey.
On ha
to was organized for the purpose of pro-
tecting immigrants and aiding them to
find homes and employment. 1t is composed
of some of the best men In New York. and
DR.. Senner who has been the commission
er of immigration at that port for several
years, is said to be the author and pro-
moter of the scheme. He and his associates
impressed Secretary Carlisle so favorably
that he encouraged them to believe that
he would grant permission to establish such
an agency in connection with, the govern
ment depot, and DR.. SeRner was to resign
his oficlal position to become the superin-
:endent of the new enterprise. But, through
a tumble of some sort, the arrangements
were not concluded before the Cleveland
administration expired. and the present au-
thorities have given II no encouragement.
In fact, two other companies have been
formed for a similar purpose, and there
are now three bidders for the privilege,
which promises large profits to the pro-
moters as well as advantage to the immi-
grants.
Secretary Gage declined to grant the per-
mission for the same reason that Attorney
General McKenna advised the secretary of
war not to give a concession for the erec-
tion of a Catholic church on the govern
ment reservation at West Point. He in
formed DIR. Senner and the other promoters
that while he had no objection to the or
raniZation of such a company as they pro-
posed. and thought perhaps 1t might do
great good and at the same time enjoy n
legitimate profit. If its business was con-
drcted in a benevolent and honorable man.
reI. he could not give the promoters any
special privileges upon Ellis Island without
:fe permission of congress. Therefore, at
their request, Senator Chandler introduced
a bin authorizing the secretary of the
treasury to lease Ito such persons as he
Fay deem most trustworthy for term o.
ten years. on such conditions as he sees
proper subject to his control and renewals
at his pleasure, a portion of Ellis Island.
adjoining the main station. for the purpose
of erecting building to be used as land
and labor bureau for furnishing informa-
tion to immigrants without charge. for tho
accommodation of officials of the states de-
string immigration and for other like pur-
poses
Senator Fairbanks has taken the bill in
charge and proposes to make a thorough
inquiry as to the character of the men who
are interested in the movement and theil
plans.
So far as known here the company pro-
poses to take charge of all immigrants
upon their arrival in New York. feed and
shelter them at nominal cost as long as
they wish to stay under Its protection. find
them homes and employment in such To-
calities as seem suitable to their condition
and welfare. arrange for their transporta-
tion and for the purchase of land If they
have means-in short. to stand between i'm
migrants who have no friends 20 look after
them and the rest of the world. The COM
pany will pay its expenses and make Its
profits in commissions upon railway tickets
and land sold. labor furnished and in other
directions. but according TO the representa-
tions made to the treasury department il
does not intend to charge the Immigrant
anything except for his board and lodging
]. is TO act as his friend and protector. as
sist him I'm carrying ont his plans. If he
has any. and TO start him into his new life
under the best possible circumstances
GAME WARDENS UPHELD. ,