Bisbee daily review., 1915-03-26
Friday Morning, March 26, 1915
nrAEoRYo ON ELLIS IslAnp

For twenUthree years Ellis Island has been the chief landing place for the nations immigrants Up to a few mopths ago it was always run-and run pretty wen-by practical men" The newcomers from the ends of the earth didn't receive particularly enthusas tic welcome, and during their detention at the Island they weren't made particularly comfortable Why should they be? It was privilege enough for them to get into the country all And as for entertainment recreation--vhy, they could look at the Statue of Liberty.
 Then Frederick C. Howe Immigration Com. missioner and took charge The old staff smiled toler- antly. He was said to be sort Of socialist. He had been university settlement worker or something of the kind. He had slept in municipal lodging hon. to learn what they were like Obviously he vas $. "theorist" impractical troube-maker.
 But little did the suspect the full scope of his theories"
 The immigrants had always been kept virtual pris. oners within brick walls The first ming the new commissioner did to turn them out on the lawns, which beautiful and smooth as green carpet
 Why, they'll tramp down the grass sir" protest ed the English gardener.
 Undoubtedly" replied Howe Tt may be bad For the grass. but it will be good for the immigrants
 The gardener then proceeded to stew away the flower plants and bulbs the cellar for the winter es usual
 "Nonsense!" cried Howe. Put 'em in the windous of the main floor So now where there used to be on. ly an ugly array of steam pipes there is the luxuran beauty of conservatory to cheer the immigrants they herded past doctors and inspectors
 Pretty it struck the "theorist" that something ought to be done about Sunday. It was drcary day the Island. After 1 D. there was no access to th, place, nothing to do, nowhers to Commssiner Howe decided 10 series Of Sunday afternoon concerts He invited the New York Police band the Ciyu Service Employe band the Letter Carriers band the Railway Employees band and other of good soloss string quar- tets and various other of entertainers professional and amateur. And they came willingly
 He also invited the public It was a great treat for the aliens and good outing for everybody else. Late, y these concerts have been so popular that thousands of outsiders have been turned away.
 Mir Howes next step to brighten the dreary interval between Sundays He has started moving pig ture shows, concerts and O. forms entertainment covering almost every night in the week
 Still the immigrants held in unaccustomed idle ness pued for occupation The commissioner got pub csprited to provide materials for knitting and sewing for European soldiers men, women and chi- dreu fell to work eagerly,
 Still there lack There were no games to play. The commissioner dds down into his own pocket bought footballs handbas and other paraphornala of sport
 It happens that Uncle sam's immigrant hotel is no. patronized so well as this year. so few immigrants are arriving. The commissioner decided that wasn't right that many comfortable beds should be unoccupcd when hundreds Of homeless men were sleeping in draughty recosses under Brooklyn Bridge or walking the all right. He got from Washington and started housing roo men a night and sending them away in the morning with hot breakfast inside them.
 Irs all absurdy theoretical" of course. And pos siby it's an wrong codde and entertain bunch Of crude immigrants. Possibly it gives them a false idea of he hospitality Of this Promised Land wnich O. them find rather hard and bitter when they the Island
 But Commissioner Howe maintains that immigrants arc PEOPLE which is a idea, and perhaps worth ponderng.