Evening star., 1904-02-29
MOST CHARGES UNTRUE
ALLEGATIONS IN REGARD TO Ell.
LIS ISLAND.
It is Reported That Immigrants Ar
Not Treated Unkindly-Larger
Quarters Desired.

The report of the special commission ap-
pointed by the President to investigate the
conditions existing at the Ellis Island i'm
migration station, New York, has been
made public by the Secretary of Commerce
and Labor.
According to the report the most seri-
Gus charges of Irregularities at Ellis Island
which the commission had to consider were
made by a New York newspaper in a Sc
ries of articles. and included such allega-
tions as Ill treatment of immigrants. wrong
full deportations and unwholesome condi-
tons in the buildings there. After exam
lining many witnesses the commission de-
clares that 1t is forced to assume that the
person who wrote the series of articles re-
fiectfng upon the Ellis Island administration
had been misled by the person who furnish
ed him information as to nearly all of the
charges made by him against the govern
ment officers.
The commission, nevertheless, makes sew
erai recommendations looking to the bet
terment of the system.
Say Treatment is Kind.
The findings of the commission include the
following conclusions:
That the charge that there has been i'm
proper detention of large numbers Of i'm
migrants for special inquiry is unfounded.
That the charge that immigrants have
been refused permission to leave Ellis Is
land until their relatives are heard from Is
true. in so far as every effort Is made to
protect immigrants from falling into evil
hands.
That the charge that there has been de-
portation of large numbers of immigrants
who should have been allowed to land is
not supported by any evidence, the commits
sion finding the contrary to be the fact
hat "a there OVerCrOWd-
ing in the detention rooms Is In many cases
well founded, but as long as larger quarters
are not at the disposal of the authorities
this difficulty cannot he overcome.
That the charge that there are unclean
conditions in and about the buildings at
Ellis Island has not been supported by the
proofs. That the charge that there are too
severe an Interpretation of the law by the
officers at Ellis Island is not sustained by
the proofs. That the charge that the build
lngs are inadequate in their appointments
and extent Is fully sustained. That the
charge that children and women and others
who are detained at Ellis Island or in the
hospitals thereof are required to do menial
work Is not sustained, although II would
probably benefit those who are detained IL
they were given some work to do.
Finally the commission reports, upon the
evidence. that the immigrant Is not treated
unkindly. but, on the contrary, with every
possible consideration, so far as the mad
equate facilities at Ellis Island will permit.
Commissions Recommendations.
Among the recommendations Of the COM
mission are the following:
That aliens who are charged as coming
under the contract labor law be held. when
ever practicable. until the alleged con-
tractor be heard or proceedings against him
be instituted and completed by the Attor-
ney General or other proper officer. and
that IL in such proceedings the contractor
Is not held liable the immigrant be allowed
to land II otherwise not Ineligible. II the
law would permit. the contractor should be
charged with the expense OF deportation
and the cost Of maintenance Of the alien.
That the contract labor law be not con-
strued to apply to aliens otherwfse eligible
who through relatives or other proper
sources of inquiry have ascertained before
coming that reasonable opportunity for
finding work exists
That an immigration inspector be appoint
ed for service at each port OF departure,
whoss duty Il shall be to ascertain. a. far