New-York tribune., 1907-06-05
ELLIS ISLAND CHARGES
Immigration Agent Says Austrians
We're Held There Illegally.

More trouble bobbed up yesterday between the
officials of Ellis Island and Frank Zotti. former
owner of the steamship Brooklyn. who tried 70
run an Italian line between Naples and New York
and charges the officials with OBTAINING illegally
twenty-four immigrants for three days on the
island without cause.
The twenty-four Austrians arrived at Ellis Island
on Saturday and were passed by the inspectors
and. according to Zotti, they should have left
the island the same day. He further charges the
officials with trying to force the immigrants 10
purchase railroad tickets their destinations when
they had orders for the tickets TO be exchanged at
his office at No 108 Greenwich street These orders
Zotu says were purchased by the immigrants at
Base, Switzerland The officials said that these
orders were no good, according to Zotti, and that
island before they could leave it.
Zott said yesterday that after the inspectors had
TO his office but the authorities refused to allow
must bring the tickets there he said but he cx-
planned TO them that the orders they possessed
on the two days following with the result
his office with the immigrants trailing after him.
Iotu said that during the three days the Aus
tTians We're ill-treated by the railroad men and
the officials, who. he said. took from the immi-
by the physician on the steamer. He learned from
the the mmgTaa[s rants m that other things occurred there
In theT adavt ali the 20 Austrans s swore that
men in uniform said that their orders We're no
good and that they would have to telegraph TO
zotti said that the immigrants were compelled
he said. was put up in boxes, and contained two
pieces of bologna end loaf of bread, worth about
80 cents in al. Each one had to, buy a box, The
receipts of the food counter for these 81 uncheons
averaged $4,000 year. said Zotu
II am aUthor zed by these people will take
action at once against Commissioner Watchorn for
illegally OBTAINING them the island for three
days after passing in manner satisfactory TO tho
officials he said
THE trouble in the matter Is that Mr. zotti is
trying TO advertise himself said Commissioner
Watchorn last night "The fact is that the United
states government is trying 10 protect the imm-
grant. and think the United States government
= bigger than Mr.. Zotti. Why does Mr. Zoui
want these immigrants to go to New York 20 get
the tickets. which they have already paid for and
which are their property? Why does he not give
them their tickets on Ellis Island. as do other
agents?
The government Tor some time past has been
E&glnS war against those agents who have per
sisted IN taking their charges New Yorl, and
lhen eNacting from them money for passapc
across the North River the railway stations
when they could just well have them trans.
ported by the government directly to the railway,
without cost 10 them. The requirements fnnosed
uDon that shall lsarn the destjna tjn,s
OF immigrants and transport them accordingiy
with as little cost as possible. Frank Zotti is The
oniy agent who has refused comply with thiS
ii rue ana has made us considerable trouble In
ness IN this respect do the others