New-York tribune., 1901-08-22
CRIPPLES SMUGGLED IN.
AN INVESTIGATION OF IMMIGRATION
FRAUDS DISCOVERS MANY UNLAW-
FULLY LANDED.

general overhauling of the books at the i'm
migration station at Ellis Island was instituted
yesterday. This investigation is a direct result
of the accusations that certain OF the officials at
Ellis Island have accepted bribes and been in
collusion with the stewards of the Atlantic liners
for the purpose of admitting diseased and other
undesirable foreigners into this country II is
said that these frauds have been perpetrated for
years, and that many of the deformed beggars
that frequent certain streets of this city have
been able to gain landing by this means.
1t was at first supposed that the wrongdoing
was only confined to the French Line steamers
but it was learned yesterday that undesirable
immigrants have also been landed from German
and Italian ships.
The work of overhauling the books was car
ried on under the direction of Assistant Commits
sioner McSweeney. who is preparing a report to
Commissioner Powderly. at Washington
Mr.. McSweeney said that Ernesto SapeIIi. the
steward the French liner La Gascogne, will
be prosecuted for bribery.
The inquiry brought out another case in
which bribery is suspected. passenger. who
was Syrian. and afflicted with a CONTAGIOUS
eye disease. arrived here two weeks ago on La
Bretagne from Havre. The man was ordered
held by the marine hospital surgeon but when
Fl. H. Moler. boarding officer. applied to the
steward for the sick Syrian. he was told that
the fellow had vanished. The vessel and pier
were then in charge of the customs officials
and the latter were also responsible for the es-
cape. The Syrian has been followed to Buffalo
and If he is not captured the French Line will
have to pay fine If he is caught he may re-
veal the whole scheme and tell how much he
paid TO get into the country. There is no sus-
picion that MoIer was implicated. He immedi-
ately reported the escape and asked for an in
vestigation Of the case. Moer was until recent
ly member Of the Special Board of Inquiry
but wishing a change to outdoor work was
transferred by Commissioner Fftchie to board
ing duty Moler was in the recent Oklahoma
land lottery and il is said he drew a piece of
valuable land. which in few weeks ne is going
to take charge Of
Captain A. Wank, who was for years and until
recently the most active of the boarding officers
whose name has been mentioned in connection
with the exposures. is at present on his vacation
A startling story Of bribery was told yesterday
by Charles Levy. OF No. ia East One hundred
and-twenty- -seCOnd-st Mr.. Levy was for five
years connected with the French Line and for
now connected with the company He was at the
Battery yesterday and talked about the alleged
frauds. Levy says he knows Of about four hun
dred cases In which immigrants not entitled 10
land We're permitted TO leave the pier on pay
ment of sums ranging from 50 TO $40 He spoke
of one case. IN which the boarding officer had
taken 50 from immigrant, and said that the
case was reported 10 the officers on Ellis ISL
and, but that two or three days afterward the
papers were destroyed.
The examiners heard OF a woman who had
never been in this country before. accompanied
by tllegitimate child. who was allowed 10
land. and then left here for Waco Tex.