New-York tribune., 1915-02-01
HOW ELLIS ISLAND COULD HELP
Miss Kellor Urges the National Gov
ernment to Help the Homeless.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: ! have noted in the various
newspapers in the city the statement
that the sleeping accommodation at
Ellis Island are not being used to
their capacity for the unemployed.
This is true; but the reason is that
the number for whom shelter is al
lowed or the island has been limited
to $50 or 800. From 200 to 300 men
are turned away nightly at 130 Broad
st. A petition for the use of more
space in order to accommodate greater
numbers has been pending for two
weeks, and has not been granted. Not
only are from 200 to 300 men turned
away because the national government
closes its doors on them, but men are
ill sleeping on the floors of employ
ment agencies and huddling under
Brooklyn Bridge because we do not
dare ask them to come to 1870 Broad st.
for their supper, knowing that when
the I o'clock boat leaves the gate will
clang in their faces.
| will guarantee TO send 500 addi-
tional men to Ellis Island every night
whenever the government gives per-
mission, and | will get them from the
saloon back rooms and streets and
employment agencies, and not from
any other institution.
Il has also been said that the Immi-
grant Guide and Transfer Relief Sta
ito. at 1870 Broad st. is unnecessary,
and that 1T is duplicating work. | will
tell you why it is not.
do 1,
the municipal lodging house is or can
be filled every night, but so per cent
of the men we care for are foreigners
the same people we are sending hun
dreds of thousands OF dollars TO Eu-
rope to help.
The foreigner in this country will
not go to a city institution. If he
does he becomes a public charge, liza
Bile to deportation at any time within
three years. Wherever he goes. there
FORE it is with fear in his heart, under
an assumed name. He will not run
this risk.
Second, no business man wants to
employ man whose address is the
municipal lodging house. and will not,
except in rare cases and under per-
suasion. 1t is known that the city's
own municipal employment agency
gives the preference 10 other men.
Therefore self-respecting young work
men really looking for jobs shun the
city institution as they would pesti-
lence. Do you blame them?
Third, no man may stay there more
than seven nights a month, and there
are twenty-three other nights he needs
shelter.
Fourth. man is turned out OF the
municipal lodging house if he has %
cents. If he has it he cannot very
well hide it, since all his clothes are
taken away. Shall we say when a man
has earned his first quarter in weeks
that he must spend il on a lodgng
when he may need il for food and sim
pie article of clothing to help HIM
get job?
The federal government should open
Ellis Island wide for the unemployed
aliens who are frowned upon by the
cities. In summer they do the work
for this country, far and wide, in the
construction camp, in the work Of high
way building and reclamation and for
cstation. But in the winter the city
says to them: you do not belong
TO US"
Has the national government no re-
sponsibility for the alien who has not
yet become a citizen? We thought IT
had recognized such a responsibility
when Commissioner Howe opened Ellis
Island but we doubted again when the
gate was closed halfway. BY whose
order? FRANCES A. KELLOR.
New York, Jan. %, 1915.