Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-12-15
NEW IMMIGRANT DEPOT
Features of the Buildings Erect
ed on Ellis Island.
FINE INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS.

Handling the Immigrants by In
spectors-Large Bathing House One
of the Chief improvements - All
The bureau of immigration viii be
transferred from the present quarters
to the new station on Ellis island the
18th of December, says the New York
Times. The transition from the cramp-
ed and badly arranged quarters which
the bureau has occupied since the fire
that destroyed the old station on the
island in 1897 will be marked One
has only to remember the old ram
shackle structure to be able to appre-
ciate the magnificent and admirably
arranged new quarters.
The main building, situated In the
center of the island, is 3S5 feet in
length and 165 feet in width. The
body of the building is 62 feet high,
while the four towers at each corner
are 100 feet from the ground to the
top of the domes. The style is con-
glomeration Of several styles of archi-
lecture, the predominating style being
that of the French renaissance. The
material used in the construction is
brick, with light stone trimmings, har-
monized so as to make the general eff
feet as attractive In appearance as pos
sible
The spires of the towers are copper
covered and In the top of each is an
observatory, from which a splendid
view Of the harbor and city may be
had. On the western and eastern sides
of the building are the main entrances,
massive arches which extend well into
the second story. over the arch in con-
crete work appear the national coat of
arms. while eagles of the same ma
terial make the general effect still more
attractive.
But the interior arrangements are
what. after all, make the station q
model of completeness. Every detail
of the exacting and confusing service
to which its uses are to be dedicated
were considered in perfecting the in
terror plans. The transportation, ex
aiming, medical. inquiry and various
other departments of the service being
assigned quarters that while they are
practically separate in every detail, yet
are so arranged as to follow one after
the other, according to its proper place
in the department. Thus from the Of
fee of the commissioner the doors lead
to the quarters of his assistant, and
then, according to rank. come the med
zeal, financial, examining, railroad, in
quiry and other branches of the serv-
ice. When the immigrant is landed
from the barges, he will pass through
an imposing private entrance, made as
nearly as possible free from the OBJ
servation of the curious, besides pro-
tecting him during bad weather He
then goes to the second floor. the en-
tire center of which is given up to the
examining department, where he is in
spected by the medical authorities and
the officials Of other branches of the
service who pass upon his eligibility to
land. Every inch of space on this floor
Is utilized.
The ratings forming the network Of
the aisles, in which the immigrants are
placed in alphabetical order. according
to nationality, gives the great amphi-
theater the appearance of an immense
spider web Two shiploads can be
handled easily and two more in an
emergency by the inspectors and other
attaches. II Is estimated that 5000
,,o,eo,,s oou 10 tbopo1ohIv examined
with perfect ease, and in an emer-
gency 1000 more by the application of
little added energy on the part of the
examiners. Surrounding this room,
from the third floor, is the observation
gallery, where visitors can watch the
inspectors at work. The dormitories
are entered from doors on the gallery.
There are two main apartments, which
can accommodate about 600 sleepers
comfortably.
The southwestern corner of the sec
ond floor has been assigned to that
terror Of the immigrant" the board of
special inquiry. Adjoining this depart
ment is the dormitory for the unfortu-
mates labeled Excluded" There is
Telegraph ana fdllIOdu ONCE also oH
this floor. the latter service also hav-
ing a large division on the southern
end of the ground floor, where the
principal agencies win be located. lion
stairways lead from the private quar-
tiers of the immigrants to the roofs on
either end of the building. which have
been dubbed roof gardens" and pa
vilion roofs" the former name being
the name given by the immigration
authorities, while the latter is a title
conferred by the construction forces.
The administration offices and baggage
room, together with the railroad de-
partments. occupy the ground floor.
Convenient apartments have been
assigned 10 the bureau of Information
the private rooms of the inspectors,
matrons, clerks and other attaches.
One of the greatest of the improve
ments win be the bathing house. where
200 immigrants can be bathed at a