New-York tribune., 1901-09-26
MR.. GAGE TO PROBE FRAUDS
BRIBERY SCANDALS AT ELLIS ISLAND
WILL GET HIS Personal
ATTENTION.
10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

Washington. Sept 25.-The report on the bribery
scandals discovered a the Ellis Island mmigra-
tion station last month which was received by
Secretary Gage on Saturday, will be thoroughly
examined by the immigration authorities at the
Treasury Department. In fact. already the ofh-
cals have plunged into the great of evidence,
which covers about one hundred typewritten pages
Assistant Secretary Taylor, in charge of rlmigra-
ton matters is still inclined to minimize the ac-
counts Of the frauds, and refuses 10 discuss the
report.
It is definitely ascertained that the same Ellis
Island officials who accused Of offences and
recommended for dismissal by the Campbell-Rogers
Investigating Committee appointed by secretary
Gage IN March 1900. to examine the affairs of the
Barge Office, which occupied by the immtgra-
tion officials while the station at Ellis Island
in course Of construction. appear again as the
chief offenders. In point of fact Commissioner
Fitchie's report merely goes TO show that the same
outrages have been practsed at the immigrant sta
uon in the last year that were reported by Messrs
Campbell and Rogers to have existed for several
years prior their investigation.
In all likelihood the department will request
supplemental report in regard to certain charges,
and Secretary Gage has already determined to re-
quest more Information about the assignments of
Albert Wank and the responsibility for his trans
fers. 1t is admitted that the registration clerk.
who was recommended for dismissal by the Camp
bell-Rogers committee. is mentioned in the new
report. 1t - alleged that unworthy immigrants
could not Illegally be entered in considerable num-
berS without the cooperation OF some one In the
registration clerks Office. When foreigners of the
excluded classes illegally admitted in consider
alton Of $ a head. offered by a steamship steward,
for instance their manifests could not be recorded
on the registration books If they indicated that
immigrants We're not entitled TO admission. The
manifest would have TO be altered first and then
recorded.
OF course. if an employe of steamship and a
boarding officer at Ellis Island worked together 1t
would be possible cajole the immigrant before
ne reached New-York by informing him that for s.
he could get into America without undergoing the
terri pie examination ahead. likely to result In his
forced return. The fee for waving examination
might be quietly collected and the immigrants who
should properly be detained be passed through
the piers a scheme similar this has been prac-
used extensively by the New-York immigrant off,
ca's, according 10 4 well Informed exnert: but TO
operate ii sucCes sfUlly all boardi officers must
cooperate or an enterprising steamship empoye
VIII innocenty expose the fraud, done last
month when steward on a French steamship line
endeavored TO brihe immigrant inspector tenn
porarlly duty. When this substitute reported the
affair the steward arrested and the practice
exposed
in view of the sensational exposures developed
year ago, instead of referring this matter the
Solicitor of the Treasury Secretary Gage will per-
sonaly undertake the examination of Commissioner
Fftchie's report.