The Washington times., 1904-12-10
STMAS AT
ELLIS ISLAND

How woald you like 10 be q stont.
dumpy little Hungarian mother. with
five wee tads clinging to you, and
crying for Chrismas. when Christ
mas had 10 be spent in the detention
rooms on Ellis Island, with the lev
river rolling between YOU and the
dearest one in the world, and Uncle
Sam was busy measuring out yards
and yards OF red tape to be sure that
nc wanted you and the FIVE wee tads
as staying guests?
1t IS bleak and cheerless out on the
island, but back OF the red tape Uncle
Sam has a soft spot in his heart for
even his immigrant babies, and in the
midst OF the measuring he finds time
10 bring food of Christmas happi-
ness and merriment into the great.
bare, brick buildings that brave the
winter seas between Liberty Island
and the hills of Jersey.
In the north end OF the largest.
building is Registry Hall. The I'M
migrants are taken here first of all.
when they leave the barges that bring
them to the island from their respec-
tive vessels. and full statement OF
each case IS recorded The hall Is
bright and spacious as a ballroom.
with broad gallery around it. Up
stairs IN the gallery are rows and
rows Of movable wire cots, arranged
berth fashion one above the other.
where the male immigrants sleep In
the main hall downstairs are desks
and modern auditorium seats instead
OF the old-time benches, fenced in
with iron enclosures, where new
comers await examination
But or Christmas Day the whole
aspect OF the hall is changed. EachH
year finds the babies OF the world =
congregated here 70 receive their first
Christmas gifts from Uncle Sam
here IS a broad stairway at one end
OF the hall \ platform IS built across
this Tor the tree TO stand on, and it
IS Well-laden tree, too. Everybody
on the island from the Commissioner =
down, chips in 10 make the pack Of
Santa Claus a heavy one There are.
besides, many presents from the city
friends who remember the detained
lonesome ones, and nearly all of the
CT various denominations
and societies IN the city JOIN forces TO
make the celebration = memorable
one
IL IS pathetic as well as comical, to
watch the expression Of amazement
and rapture that transfigures a dark
little Polish face, or chubby, blonde
oVenska tot when the owners fingers
;lose Tor the hrst time over a really
truly tram OF cars, or a dropsical,
vOolly lamb that sQueaks.
And the mothers are as delighted
IS the babies. There was one pretty,
-osy-eheeked Magyar madonna who
promptly deposited her two-year-old
burden on the floor while She her
self played ecstaticaliy with a little
wooden mouse that did a jumping
ack somersault on a wooden stick.
There IS plenty OF music. The ISL
ind possesses an automaton piano OF
Is own, and organ as well, and every
year WeH-knOwn professionals from
he musical and theatrical worlds
volunteer their services AT this inter
national festival But, after all the
celebration would seem only part OF
he wonders OF the new, strange coun-
~, were 1t not for the addresses BIZ
he chaplalns OF the various natiOnali-
les. Italian, Polish, Scandinavian.
herman, HungaTIan-each hears in
rs own language the familiar words
u the tatheTland church, and the old
OF Isaiah finds fulfiment.
And the glory OF the Lord shall be
Old among The nations even unto the
-ttermost parts Of the seas
The ( fhrtefr ffvr7a- -
10 trst-class hotel throughout the
ountry could show a more bountilul
neal than that served IN the big de
entlOn dining-hall in the east side OF
he building. There are over a dozen
windows, commanding a splendid
lew OF the harbor, and Manhattan
nd Long Island shores. II NAV be
.lld and stormy outdoors, but with
n every modern facility for comfort
nd convenience has been introduced
within the past year or so. The whole
lace IS warm and cosy with steam
eat The corridors are broad and
lstetully decorated IN dark green and
ard wood. Evergreen and holly are
ung around III the dining hall, the
right red and green making a bril-
ant and striking contrast TO the
now-whIte walls, and dark mission
,bles and benches.
The walters are alert, white clad.
nd as courteous as though each OF
le strangely garbed, uncouth guests
,presented a quarter tip.
The dinner that j. served from the
hlte-tiled pantry Is an abundant one
CUP, turkey, cranberry sauce, turnip
Neet potatoes, mince pie and pud4
all makes a fine and temptingk
lOwing before the eyes OF peasant
no bet lately lived on black bread
nd bean soup, and the probabilities
'e that while the celebration does
ot entirely rob a detention Christ
as of all its loneliness and disap-
still, 10 those who are the
nests, il makes 4 joyous and promis-
g welcome 10 their adopted father
nd