New-York tribune., 1901-04-06
HAD HONEY, But HELD AS POOR.
INEXPERIENCED IMMIGRATION
INSPECTOR.

Albert Priestman a subject Of Great Britain.
who has lived in Philadelphia for number of
years had considerable difficulty getting into the
country when he arrived as first cabin passenger
on the steamer Germanic on Thursday night The
trouble was due to the loss OF his left fifteen
years ago and literal Interpretation Of the la "
by an inexperienced immigra ton inspector named
O'Connor Although Mr.. Priestman has crossed
the Atlantic Ocean several times since coming TO
this country to live. and although he was able to
produce certified check for $4,000, he detained
by the inspector for examination at Ellis Island
10 determine whether he was subject to the opera
ton of the law which provides for the exclusion
of manned aliens who might become public charges.
Mr. Priestman was taken to Ellis Island yester-
day afternoon by Lawson Sandford secretary of
the steamship conference, representing the White
Star Line who looked after his interests for the
company. 1t is said that although Mr.. Priestman n
was able prove that he had bought a round trip
ticket in Philadelphia before sailing for Europe
and could show a certified check tor $l0o"' an
examination us his physical condition was still
persisted Ia by the immigration ohlclais' lie was
Commissicner Fitchie and Assistant Commissioner
NcSWeenev both acknowledged that a mistake haG
been made OBTAINING Mr.: Prestman and that 1t
due 70 a lack of Judgment on me part 81 u
only three months. The thing might not happen
again IN tMenty od Eek anois 70 GET home by Good
Friday.
Philadelphia. April 5.-AIbert Prestman lives
with his wife and three children in handsome
home in Germantown He is the American partner
also vice-president of the Frestman Engine Com
pany.
Mr. Priestman was by reporter at his
nome this evening. In telling of the incident in
York ne evinced great indignation, hut ne
could not help laughing at times at what ne called
the absolute absurdtty of the insult.
IL have been back and forth five times since first
coming to the United States, ten years ago, he
said "and l have never had any difficulty. This
time | came back usual among the cabin pas
sengers When the Germanic was about half way
between Quarantine and port | was taken in
charge by the immigration officials and told that
because I was minus my left hand, which lost in
a cunning accident many years ago, must go to
Ellis Island until ! had proved that | was not
likely TO become a public charge.
II didn't have the opportunity to explain mat
ters but was turned to the custody of John
PennelI superintendent OF piers for the White Star
Line ! was told that If | went away without per-
mission ! must consider myself under arrest AS
my wife and family were waiting for me In Ger
nantown / came over to Philadelphia on Thursday
night promising return to Ellis Island the next
morning and submit investigation
This morning / returned to NeW-York, having
received legal advice that / could not possibly be
detained. At Ellis Island l was made TO answer
the question, Have you ever been in jal?' and
such other interrogat tions Finally they passed
me and was permitted to come back to my fam
iy and business, a free man..