Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-28
He was bordering on functional insan
ity.

A native OF an European country sold
his COW. a few sheep he happened to be
so fortunate as TO possess and tho little
hut he called home. The sale Melted
him enough TO pay his passage In the
Storage and a small surplus to meet the
requirements OF the United States immi-
grafton laws. While on shipboard he
was robbed of all the money he possess
cd and consequently when he arrived
he had not the necessary sum to enter.
The experience preyed on his mind to
such an extent that he practically was
a mental wreck. A few days rest and
kind treatment altered his viewpoint and
his mental balance returned. He was
then permitted to enter in spite OF the
lack Of funds. He has since become
a useful and respected citizen.
The belief that the wild and woody
west exists just as IL did many years
ago was evidenced I'm a case that came
to the attention OF the health officers
at Ellis Island recently young Ger
man who Intended coming TO this coun-
try was told by his brother in Montana
that the state was dangerous place.
and that he had better purchase a re-
volver before starting on his journey.
On board the steamer. on which ne
travelled In the steerage with his wife
and child, the little family was badly
treated Iudignities were inflicted upon
-
mother for the second time. This III
treatment SO preyed upon the father and
husband that when the ship arrived In
port he was almost in frenzy. Finally
he could contain himself no longer and
he drew the revolver his prudent brother
had advised him to buy. This naturally
got him into trouble and the little fam
ily was sent back whence II had come.
conditions that put aliens in an adverse
frame OF mind and UNIT them for the
ordeal that awaits them on reaching the
examiner at Ellis Island. These cases
amid quiet surroundings and where they
may obtain rational treatment until they
are restored to their normal condition.
Practically all Of the insane that come
to Ellis Island are detected at some point
in the examination, since every one at
the station is doing his utmost to pre-
vent the entrance OF even one unde-
sirable alien. Not very long ago an i'm
migrant, standing at a window remarked
that the Statue OF Liberty was walking
down the bay waving her arms He sug-
gested that some one throw a rope around
her and tie her down. This alien was
promptly deported.
The need for the stringent regulations
health service and the fidelity with which
they are applied In the interest of the
future Of the American race is apparent
Race pollution must be avoided. and IL
can be done only by turning back those
immigrants that would prove a burden
to the country and be the progenitors of
a long line Of mental incompetents.
Aside from the danger of racial pol
luton" said DR.. Knox on this phase OF
the question Of practical eugenics at the
ports OF entry. the cost OF combining
criminals. defective and insane In pub
lie institutions Is an item for the most
serious consideration. During May, 1913.
1Os mentally defective cases were de-
tected at Ellis Island and sent back to
the countries from which they came. In
100 years the average number OF de-
scendants from one mentally detective
will be about $50. OF these at least 80
Will have to be taken care Of by the
state. The average number Of years OF
care, computing from present averages.
will be twenty-five years for each de-
fective. 1t costs about 1880 to maintain
most economical lines. II these esti-
mates are correct. and they probably
are. 1t will be seen that one defective.
more or less. Is very important item.
4 =
THE average number Of years Of con-
f1nement times the number OF descend
ants OF one defective unable to care for
themselves times the cost of caring for
one person for one year. yields the as
tonishing result OF 81. ADS. 900 al the cost
of maintaining the progeny OF one de-
fective for 100 years. Since there were
lO8 of these detectives turned back at
Ellis Island during May this year there
was a saving to the nation OF 1os times
this amount. or $l53.OOO.0oo. which would
be approximately the cost OF maintaining
such progeny for 100 years.
This Is not q theory nor yet wild
speculation. II Is fairly accurate pic
ture OF what is actually occurring and
serves to call attention to the need for
trained men at all ports Of entry SO that
a thorough examination be made OF all
aliens who seek entry into the country.
The pollution Of the race must be avoided.
The children Of feeble-minded parents
will be detectives, and they usually pro-
duce about twice or three times as many
children as normal persons. One feeble
minded and one normal parent as q rule
will have children of whom half will be
detectives and the other half practically
normal. but all will be capable of trans
hitting feeble minded traits to their de-
and is lowering the general standard OF
the nations mentality at an alarming
rate"
Uncle Sans millstones are very effi-
cient. They have to be. Otherwise they
could not remain in the service a minute.
These examiners of the public health
service are picked men and to them IL
due the fact that the insane asylums OF
this country are not more crowded than
they already are. They keep out those
undesirables who would come, but
shouldn't.
Therefore the immigration mills OF
Uncle Sam grind exceeding fine.