The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-18

t0O War.
 New York, Sept. 17.-A little grass plot, a talking machine or two, a few swings for the children-itt1e things like these can go a long way toward | relieving the hard lot of the inani- grant detained at Ellis Island by the war, in the opinion of Frederick c. Howe. the new Commissioner of Inn migration. There are today about 300 men and women ordered deported, who have now been cooped up in the great halls of the Ellis Island build ings for a month or two, waiting until ship service with their native coun- tries may be resumed.
 The present European war has an immediate advantage of permitting me to try out some new ideas as iEnmigTa- ton is at unprecedently low figure said MT Howe. During this last August, for instance, we handled 29,- GOO immigrants at this station as com pared to 102.O00 for the same month a year ago. At the present time we have only 165 men and 181 women and Children here. Practically all of them are being detained for deporta- ton. but we have received an order from Washington not to- deport people of countries with which the regular ship service has been suspended. About a. week ago let all the i'm I migrants go out on what little grass space We have here. Many of them cried all the first afternoon simply from the joy of getting out on some soil again Most of the Immigrants are peasants and they had been copped up within the buildings for a month or two. The handling of the immigrants here is a mighty human proposition Most of them have saved up enough money from their meagre wages at fr1r her no idea that they would be detained right at the gate of the new country. To them, this detention is a calamity which is almost as gneat as a death in their family.
 Hence I am trying to work out plans for making them as contented as possible during their stay here. pr. Tinker, of the New York Prostestant Episcopal City Mission society, has given us a talking machine and some records. I hope to collect records of the dance music of all the countries represented here. Given opportunity to dance and play, the immigrant may be able to throw off some. of sthe de- pression caused by the enforced deten- ton.
 Space For Playground.
 "A day, or two ago received per mission from Washington to turn the vacant space around the receiving sta H1On Into a playSTOQIAO- 44CA A9 OoAA[ siderable waste space where we can at least put in sand pits and swings for the children. There is also a fine, big porch on the northern and western sides Of the receiving station. and it's going to be my mainstany for recreation in indictment weather
 seThe results of even the simple l things which I have been able to do so far have been most encouraging. Not only do the immigrants look brighter and more cheerful, but the matrons and attendants have entered into the playing and dancing. too. Ey- cry one is smiling now. There are still many improvements to be made, how i ever At the present time. for instance, the married men detained here can 1 see their wives and children only at meal times That seems to me to be Iunnecessarv. I have already sep arated the unmarried women from the I mothers. as there is a certain amount of nervous strain in being in more or less crowded quarters with children
 ss.But if the war is giving me a l chance to try out new ideas now on a l few people, there will be many diff I cult problems, which will arise when l peace is declared War always means 1.-the breaking of ties and the creation 1 of a. wanderlust. This was true after I our Civil war, and even after Ine I short Spanish-American War. Many
  I down in their homes, although it is to I be expected that the European coun- Jstries involved will make strenuous ef- i forts to socfaIize their in dustries and l to keep all the aible-bodied men al l home in repairing the losses caused by
 the war;.
 .-rhen there will probably be a swarm of naimed and crippled men Fl and of widows with children who vii
 come over here as soon as peace Ii E declared. In cases of diseased persons
 criminals, and a few other types we are bound in our rulings by the stat utes But there is considerable latitude | allowed to our inspectors in 5udg1ns who are apt to become public charges Here we shall have may difficult ques tions to decide.
 tsThe problem of the immigrants af ter5 passing out from Ellis Island vii in the future be somewhat lessened IT have just received permission u
 start here a. branch office under fh' I Bureau of Information. which vii
 help in distributing the irnnni nigrants q 1 places where there are jobs for them This office will have reports from tn
 various employment centers through out the county, and will be able to ad
 wise immigrants where togo. It vii
 help to relieve the frightful congestioi | of unskiIIed workers in New For I city,
 Canadian Pacific is the larges
 owner of dining cars, having 1O
 straight diners and tWenty-four caf
 parlor cars in it's service.
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