New-York tribune., 1901-07-23
ELLIS ISLAND TROUBLES.
ISLAND PURPOSELY MADE a DUMPING
GROUND. SAYS MIR. TAYLOR.
IBy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE-l

Washington. July Flames X Taylor the su-
pervising Architect Of the Treasury Department,
who controls all contracts pertaining to the i'm
provement Of Ellis Island, endeavored to explain
today the conditions which have occasioned criti-
cism. We have purposely made it dumping
ground" he said. and were fortunate in
securing the earth from the Bowling Green site
of the new Custom House, so that at the proper
time the ground surrounding the main building on
the island may be raised about three feet This
will probably be done in October or November.
when the surface Will he properly graded and we
will carry plans for suitable park ana
for beautifying the entire site. All this Will be
done when the proper time comes The construc-
ton of all the auxiliary buildings is not completed
yet. there is advantage 10 be gained oy
leveIling and sodding the ground now IT Woutd
all have to he done over again We could not
fence I'd the debris just because il is unsightly
All Of that material Will be gathered up and some
Of IL will be sold when the workmen are ready
10 GO"
Mr TAYLOR when asked If he expected to dispose
ot the ashes and rubbish. other than old building
material that have accumulated there, replied;
'Oh that will all be covered up next fall when
we begin 10 raise and grade the grounds The
place is free and open. where the sun shines
all day. so II is perfectly healthy" When asked
If the contractors were not largely to blame for
The condition OF the grounds Mr. Taylor remarked.
with warmth: We'll If the people don't like II
they can do the next best thing; that is, kick
No record could be found to-day of any COM
plant about the con0lriGn OF the
ton grounds received the department from
Commissioner Fitchie's office at New-York Con
sress In 1897 authorized expenditure Of s25oo'9
for rebuilding the immigrant station at the port
OF New-York- In June. 1897. four sets Of plans
were submitted Secretary Gage by architects
IN competition. and the same month Boring &
Tilton Of New-York City. were awarded the con-
tract, which they sublet TO the R II. Hood Com
pany. Of New-York. II was a year afterward be-
fore the cornerstone of the Ellis Island station was
off he FTTfl1
on. with the supervision Of a special Treasury
inspector. who finally dropped from the ser
vice owing to the exaspeTating lack Of progress,
and Edward Roberts. one Of the regular inspectors
of the supervising architects Office, was detailed
the job in the spring Of l9a with instructions to
hustle the work
Not long after this change reports came 70
Washington that unsuitable material had been used
in the iron construction. and much had to be torn
down and replaced Other material was reported
as falling TO comply with the specifications, Con-
Architect Taylor and Assistant Secretary Taylor
efter an investigation were forced 10 recommend
g thorough Verhaulng Of the poor workTaa nshlp:
ne +b ~ rt;n of the main b1iIdng was exhaust-
ed and work suspended for a short time, until $500
600 more allowed for the auxiliary buildings
These buildings expected to be ready for oc-
cupancy about the time the main building was com
pleted. Notwithstanding me aeIaEs i when pre- e.
vented the authorities from taking possession OF
the eoStraot Time the auxiliary budings were not
ready; For the delay in completing the main build
penalty As late as March last an add additi9aa fa
gress. 30 be expended for the erection Of ferry
house surgeons house covered Walk ways. IN n
cluding the glazed porch of the main build
ing: laundry. and a new power plant rebuilding
cribs together with the parking. grading, etc.
Out Of the total appropriations aggregating s. 500
ep1 TO date there is about S5oftt} uneXpended.
part of which may be used for incidental expenses
Connected with improving the grounds and ap-
proaches Mr.. Taylor admits that the contractors
have been slow in the Ellis Island work. but r.
says the gSvernent was at little expense duTing ,s
opinion by October or November everything will
be entirely satisfactory.