New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-04
ELLIS ISLAND BIDS.
Lively Competition for Immigrant
Station Privileges.
[FRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

Washington May S.-Bids were opened to-day in
the Office of the Commissioner General of Immigra-
ton for the restaurant. money changing and bag
gage transfer business at Ellis Island. Fourteen
bid the privilege sixteen for
the money changing and six FOR the hauling
Awards will not be made for several days. it being
necessary 10 tabulate the bids received and ascer-
tain the trustworthiness OF the bidders The cater
ers bids all the way from ~ cents 10 80 cents
for three meals a day the money changers from
25 TO so cents a piece for hauling the immigrants
possessions from Ellis Island TO any point in New
York City. 1t rests with the Commissioner General
OF immigration TO decide whether not the lowest
bidders will receive the contracts. The present
holders of the restaurant contract Hudgins K
Dumas, were several notches above the lowest bid
der when they received their contract They are
now feeding the immigrants for 80 cents a day.
although several eating house proprietors offered
to give the quantity of food for 10 Is cents
Robert Watchorn, Commissioner Of Immigration
at New-York. who present when the bids were
opened said;
do not know who will receive the contracts.
but must say that the successful contractors have
restaurant privilege giving first class meals.
nicely seTred, and cooked in a kitchen as clean as
mine at home have introduced one or two in
noVations specifications In the present con
tracts that l hope will improve conditions. For
their employees. At present there are hundred
press company and the money changing firm who
are about the Island at all hours Of the day and
or from visitors who may be walking about the
place Another new specification is that all wagons
brought To the island must have rubber tires
Under the present contrasts all sorts Of vehicles
hnd their way to the station. and besides making
a tremendous amount OF noise rafting about, cut
up the pavements and walks very badly.
I will be very glad. indeed. when We get our
island, with its hospital for contagious dis
think l safe in saying that the mortality
among the contagious will be reduced all
the way from - to so per cent. The way these
poor creatures are dying Oft now is simply horri-
BILE. They have 10 be transported far down in
South Brooklyn. rough streets. in all kinds
of weather and IL is only wonder that more of
them do succumb. 1t seems TO that | am
busy most OF the time signing kilograms informing
their wishes TO the disposition of the bodies.
think that affairs at the island running more
smoothly than ever before. i do not say this In
criticism OF Mr. Williams for he n splendid
Official and | believe the service owes him a great
debt for the good work he did. but the longer
business tbs more naturally learn, and a
good many OF the reforms have inaugurated would
have probably been put in force by my predecessor
down rather hard OF the steamship COM
panles for turning In false manlfeStS. / nned one
company nearly $500 for this kind Of offence, They
made pitiful protest, and asked me TO remit two
punishment. When took my oath. l replied. II
did not promise to enforce but One-third OF the
Law aa saw IT, It's all right all wrong. be-
lieve all the fine should be enforced. and II you
appeal and prove IT." They did not do 80. /
guess they agreed with me that was doing my
duty,
petlitious manner In which the immigrants
passed through the lines. Instead or beginning at
10 or IL O'Clock in the forenoon the Inspection be-
gins ut Sis o'clock In the morning ard keeps up