New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-28
GAINS 1T ELLIS ISLAND.
Place for Immigrant Children to
PLAY to Their Hearts Content.
EFnoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.l

washington, Aug. -'l-lnere Is, perhaps IiO
branch of the government service where greater
improvements have been effected IN the admin
stration of President Roosevelt than IN the inn
migration service. although SO quiet have been
he methods pursued and SO transformations the
Erection of the service that comparatively few
gersons aware OF the improvements accom-
ylished
To speak Of Ellis Island is almost 10 include
the whole immigration service. so far the
,andinS OF immigrants Is concerned for at that
point close to 80 per cent OF the newcomers TO
The United States inspected and pass mus
ter Last year out OF total OF ST5oiG immi-
grants admitted to this country. G3l $50 landed
at Ellis Island. without going into trcsome
details regarding the improvements in the ad
ministration OF this important function Of the
government, It may be said that never before
the laws so conscientously and thoroughly
enforced and yet never before the comfort
Of the immigrants so carefully considered or
their welfare so effectively provided FOR.
1t was little more than TWO years ago that
Frank p. Sargent was appointed Commissioner
General OF Immigration. and only a few months
before that Commissioner williams placed
IN fun charge of the Ellis Island station In
the interim the entire appearance OF the island
has changed. and many inexper sive. but not the
.ess effective. devices have been installed all Of
which make for the comfort and the health OF
ne future citizens of the United States
When Commissioner Williams took charge of
die station Ellis Island presented n most I'M
attractive appearance. There were ample and
excellent buildings. II is true but utility only
iad been considered, and orderness and at
ractiveness. noticeable. were consplcu-
only by their absence. Mr.. Williams. with the
hearty encouragement and cooperation Of the
Commissioner General has worked WODdprful
changes and to-day the exterior OF the station
Is attractive as n well kept country place
while the interior is characterized by a cleanli-
ness and neatness formerly believed impossible
Il attainment
To Commissioner General Sargent belongs tho
credit OF one OF the latest and most attractive
.eatures introduced on the island-the children's
playground Thousands OF children dom
iciled at Ellis Island for weeks. sometimes for
months at time. Arriving after a week or
mnre OF confinement In the fetid atmosphere OF
tho steerage they usually pale and ustless.
and when. often occurs their parents are
necessarily detained for some time In the station
hospital their lot is not a happy one. or rather.
II formerly not Moved by pity for these
little ones Commissioner Sargent sought a
remedy for their condition The grounds did not
furnish an appropriate place for a playground.
but diligent examination revealed an ideal
place on the large. fiat roof OF the main building
There. by the erection Of awnings and the rails
ing OF the parapct. the children could play to
their hearts content. There they could enjoy
the sea breezes OF New-York Harbor precisely
the sort OF tonic needed after their passage
There they could run and romp and laugh and
shout without disturbing any one or doing In
jury TO themselves their surroundings. Com
missioner Sargent's suggestion joyfully re-
ceived by Commissioner Williams. and the re-
suit is an amply equipped play place. where the
future young Americans recover from the ef-
fects OF their voyage and learn their first les
sons In liberty.
One of the long needed improvements recently
provided for by Congress at Commissioner Sar-
gents earnest solicitation is the ferryboat,
which went into commission on July ]. taking
the place of the old Carlisle and Mr. Sargent
hopes before long to get new boarding boat"
to take the place of the Chamberlain. now In
use. A dining room has been recently
added at the station. 1t is constructed on tho
most approved plans. with tiled floors and every
appurtenance which conduce to conven-