New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-01

pense TO the county, feel sure that the
public has been greatly benefited. and |
desire to add that ! firmly believe the
public is probably more courteously treat
ed in the County Clerks office than In
any other public Office in the city or
county of New York.
1t would require considerable time to
enter all of the details regarding the
changes that have been brought about In
the County Clerks office, but | VIII con-
tent myself with what | have heretofore
stated by repeating the remarks made py
the chairman of the committee on SIM
pified practice of the Bar ASSOCIATION
He said to me a short time ago that the
system under which we were working at
the present time was far in advance OF
that used in any other County Clerk
office in the United States. and that we
were al least ten years ahead OF the time.
Probably there was no part OF the once
that needed greater care and considera-
ton in REORGANIZATION than the Naturali-
cation Bureau. Doubtless there are num-
DtTS OF TeducTS WIN VIII icuitIipSis NNA
ing the latter part of 1909 and early IN
1910 frequently reading in the papers ar
ticles headed somewhat similar to this:
THE breadline at the Naturalization Blu
reau OF the Supreme Court Increases. No
effort made to improve condition. HOW
much longer are the people going to toll
crate this condition OF affairs?" I read
these articles with great deal Of inter-
est and I found that In no instance were
the statements exaggerated. In a room
calculated to hold comfortably about ten
people, fully one hundred would try to
crowd in every day in their efforts to OBJ
tain that valued -"citizenship."
There was only one clerk allowed by
the United States government for the pur-
pose OF accepting declarations OF inten-
lions. or first papers, and also petitions
for naturalizations. / found the first
thing necessary would be to secure larger
quarters and then additional clerical help.
Again through the kind Offices OF Judge
Giegerch and President McAneny, l Sc
cured in the County Court House a room
that would comfortably hold $50 people,
and which | had fitted up with steel file
cases and also benches, so that In the
event of an unusual number appearing.
they could be comfortably seated while
waiting.
After the room was fitted up. | appealed
to Secretary Nagel of the Department of
Commerce and Labor for the additional
help, and was gratifed to receive letter
on April |, 1910. wherein ] was advised
that | could employ four clerks at an an
nual salary OF $500. These four clerks,
instead Of lessening the work, brought on
additional work. because 1t soon became
known on the lower East Side, where the
greater part OF the allen population re-
sides, that now was the time TO apply for
papers. IL was not long before | found
that even with the increased force.
could not adequately handle the business
that was coming TO the bureau and
made another appeal TO Washington. with
the result that four more clerks were al
lowed The benefit Of these TO the gov
eminent was shown by the fact that
whereas the receipts for the year 800
amounted 20 only 5000, the very first
year that had taken charge, 1910. showed
net revenue Of $1,000. and whereas only
7O2 aliens had been admitted TO citizenship
in 1893. over 500 were admitted in 1910
The work in the bureau has continued tC
increase yearly. and In 1911. 1900 aliens
declared their intention and 5000 were
admitted to citizenship, receipts OF the bu
reau amounting to $500. In 1912 the mum
Der Of those declaring their intention was
over 1900 and over 900 admitted 10 citi'
zenshlp. the receipts aggregating $4,000
For the month Of January. 1913. the mum
Der Of those declaring their intention wa:
1900 and OF those fling petitions for fina
papers. 100; those admitted TO citizen
ship over l.l00 and the receipts for tn,
month $500. IL will doubtless surpris,
you 10 know that II all the aliens now II
New York County were 10 be admitted I,