New-York tribune., 1901-08-22
ELLIS ISLAND FRAUDS.
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT PROM
ISES PUNISHMENT FOR ALL
GUILTY PERSONS.
rRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

Washington Aug M--Offcials OF the Treasury
Department are much disturbed the grave
developments the Ellis Island emigrant station
in the last few days, indicating that frauds have
occurred there recently similar in many respects to
those practised by employees at the Barge Office
before March, 1900. when special committee ap-
pointed by Secretary Gage made a sweeping in
vestigation of the outrageous conditions permeat-
ing the bureau Nevertheless, action will be
taken by the department here with a view to ascer-
tanning TO what bribery has prevailed until
the Commissioner Of immigration at New-York has
submitted official report of the local investiga-
ton now in progress. In due course the depart
ment will endeavor TO determine which of the Ellis
Island employees have been guilty of fraud. and
promises that appropriate punishment will be ap-
piled all offenders Assistant Secretary Taylor
declares his willingness 10 deal literally with
Ernesto Sapelli. the steward of La Gascogne. who
arrested yesterday. if he be induced to
turn States evidence and assist the department in
prosecuting the guilty government officials.
When Secretary Gage asked this afternoon
whether the department intended TO act the
published reports intmating that bribery has been
fragrant Ellis Island, he replied:
The depsrtme.nt .r will go risht on with It's work
what is going without paying any attention to
the accounts in the newspapers, which are often
muddled
He explained that for soms time there had been
reason to fear that such evils existed and inti-
mated that the department habtuay kept a sharp
eye the New-York immigrant station. because
oS the many abuses that had occurred there.
Assistant Secretary Taylor, Commissioner
Fitchies immediate superior declares that some
OF the published statements about the bribery are
part Of job designed to discredt the present ad-
minstraton Of affairs at the station, and will be
found to be unWarranted. He said:
Treasury officials cannot be responsible for the
me from the Civil Service COMMISSIONS eligible
list and l unable TO tell from these which ca n
didates are honest and which dishonest. As soon
find out that is dishonest we bounce
him.
Mr. Taylor refeTred 10 his official register to SEQ
just what employees were appointed under the Civil
Service regulations. and found that majority Of
the boarding officers the chief clerk of regstra-
ton were appointed several years before the Civil
Service law extended to the New-York immi-
grafton station. The disclosures resulting in the
arrest Of Sapell. which were made II IS said with
in a comparatively few hours after the relief OF
Albert Wank, regular boarding officer were ap-
Parently not wholly unexpected in the Treasury
department Yesterday Assistant Secretary Tay-
lor when asked if he had any personal knowledge
Of Mr. Wank's record, replied:
Oh, wasn't he dismissed some time ago? Well
ne ought 10 have been l know that | had an i'm
preSslon somehow that he a rascal.
In March. 1900. special investigating committee
was sent by Secretary Gage look into the com
plants Of immigrants OF the treatment they re-
ceived az the immigration station then at the
barge once The committee consisted Of Immigra-
deIphia, and J. K Campbell Of Washington Their
oflcial report, which published the following
for accepting bribes II IS understood The recon-,
mendations Of the committee for dismissals and
u9ent AooDp otboru lsilored hy the depart
-,S--o, <a-ioIlS oleIs tnen recommended for dis
ih4ssal was Assistant Commissioner McSweeney