The Washington times., 1910-11-02
Against Ellis Island EXten-
sion Only on Account of
Immigrants.
STEAMER LINE
OFFICIALS HEARD
Visit White House and Are Told
Why Chief Executive Is Opposed
TO Making Bigger Port.

President Taft is standing firm
against increasing the immigration
facilities at Ellis Island, after his re-
cent personal survey Of congested con-
ditions, but, while in favor of divert
ing the tide of immigration to other
ports, he does not feel that he should
do anything that will restrict the i'm
portation of goods and merchandise at
New York.
This distinction was drawn at the
White House today in considering the
complaint of a Philadelphia steamship
company, which declared there had been
a concentration of exports and imports
at New York to the detriment of Phila-
deIphia and other ports. The President
holds that immigration and importation
are separate matters. He opposes en-
Iarging the Ellis Island station and thus
encouraging further congestion at this
norway as regards immigration. He
does not care to interfere in any way
with the present scheme of importation.
Stand Is Endorsed.
The attitude of the White House. as
made plain today, is substantially as
follows
The President has been receiving many
Endorsements of his stand against IN
creasing the immigration facilities at
Ellis Island. a steamship company or
Philadelphia has brought to his atten-
ton a point Of similar sort: namely, that
the trunk railroads and TRANSATLANTIC
steamship companies have been concen-
trating IMPORTS and exports at New
York 20 the detTiment of other ports.
and to an undesirable extent The phil
adelplda firm declared that II had great
difficulty in getting business IN that
The reason assigned for this state OF
affairs was that the customs mousse con-
ditiOns at New York, as regards the as
sessment Of duties, classification OF
merchandise. sampling, testing, weigh
ing. and adjustment Of damages, were
in time past much more favorable al
New York than elsewhere. me customs
frauds the writer believed. were due 10
this concentration.
purtation would not only help. Philadel-
phia. but eliminate cheating elsewhere
Cases Are Different.
The President believes that the ship
pers are sufficiently advised as TO the
economy Of transportation. so that they
NAV take the cheapest route, and that
II does not, under these circumstances.
seem wise to introduce any artificial
He wants to see all differences in the
enforcement of the customs law re-
moved. Absolute uniformity. he holds,
should be obtained so that only legtd-
mate circumstances viii affect the place
of importation. The President believes
further that the steps now being taken
by the Government will remove the mo-
tive suggested for importation and
trahsshipment at New York.
The President has directed that the
entire matter shall be investigated by
the customs division Of the Treasury.
Meanwhile. Mr.. Taft will not favor
any legislation that viii encourage a
greater influx of immigrants al the port
of New York He wishes the immigrant
entries divided among the different
ports, but the President is maintaining
an attitude Of hands off so far as
freight shipments for Philadelphia. New
York, and other ports are concerned