New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-26
LEDERHILGER DISMISSED.
INVESTIGATIONS AT ELLIS ISLAND
SHOW THAT RECORDS WERE
INITIATED

Fresh lie hi is thrown on the way the immigration
Brreau on Ellis Island conducted before the
present Commissioner was appointed by Inc papers
in the case of John Lederhilger, whose dismissal
from the position of Chief Clerk OF the Registry
Division was made public yesterday Commits
sioner Williams in his investigation of Mr.. Leder
hilger's case made careful search of the records
in support of his charges. Among other Things ne
found that the files of the Bureau had been mu-
tiIated and many documents removed. He is now
investigating the disappearance or the papers ana
/ the reas Sons therefor
The evidence submitted to Washington in sup
mort of the charges shows that q boy rot con-
nected with the immigration service was used TO
convey what apparently were gifts from steam
ships TO officials the island The boy, whose
,arna is given as Giovanni TaIirnine is permitted
to sell peanuts and fruit TO immigrants on the
barses while they being transferred from the
steamships the island. He is known as Pea
rr+e,. or ..Doughnuts" In a statement which
he made to Commissioner Williams he SAID tnat
Albert Wank an immigration inspector, who was
dismissed from the service a year ago for re-
leasing aliens the pier. often gave him pack
ages at the pier TO be delivered to persons on the
island According to the boys affidavit. Wank
would say: Take care of this package for me-
or This package belongs to Lederhilger Then
he would add, Look out: don't let anybody know
about this" Hide them and be careful Ihese
packages, the boy said. contained bottles ana
drinks" In order that the packages might be
gave the boy a key This key the boy has given
UP to Commissioner Williams.
The papers also show that the holders or the
restaurant privilege were in the habit of impress
ing detained immigrants into their service to do
mental work about the kitchen.
Some of the charges made against Mr.. Lederhil-
ger were:
or placing men in sole charge Of the work
of inspecting. registering, and passing upon upon
inmiGrants who not qualified 70 perform
such service and giving them detention blanks
signed by himself for them TO fill out.
ing steamer through Albert Wank. packages
containing bottles of wine. etc
Pairing no attention TO the repeated charges
that Wank at that time wrongfuily defraud-
ing the government by accepting money from allens
consideration of their dfSchafee AZ the piers aS
United States citizens. -
on the rnanifests that such aliens were citizens
discharged at the pier.
Gross Violation of duty as an immigrant IN
spector in permitting immigrants against their
will to he impressed by Emil Schwab & Co, into
service in their kitchen and restaurant while
under detention. refusing to take action when his
attention specifically called to II.
NegIecting properly to perform MS duty by re-
porting abuses known TO exist at the station
in connection with feeding immigrants. /. e %
Filthy condition of dining room. ~ Immigrants
cornpelled to eat without knives forks. 90 One
compelling Immigrants to purchase food against
their will and in larger quantities than necessary,
under threat that they would be sent back to the
detention room if they did not comply.
There were eighteen charges In all Mr.. Leder-
hIger. in his reply. either denied the charges,
tried explain them. placed the responsibility
for his failure act some one else