The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-07-21

women have been given instruction In sewing and
provided with material to make clothes for them
selves and children. school has been temporarily
opened to teach the children, and the New York
city public library authorities have donated num-
ber OF books printed In German and other foreign
languages for the use OF those who have IA desire
10 read
The men and womens are permitted TO mlngle
more freely In the various detention wards, and as
a result of these innovations the feeling which
prevails among those who have been long detlined
at the station is more cheerful than IL was during
the first few months OF the war Attempts 20 es-
cape, which were frequent at one time, have come
to an end
ELLIS island is the greatest portal In the world"
said Doctor Howe. There never has been any por-
tai like II for human beings. In normal times
ly n million persons enter the country through IL
each year. They come largely from countries
where the government means only militarlsm and
taxes; they come to escape the feudal landlord
from Industrial and social conditions which have
become intolerable They come with hopes OF n
fresh life, of fresh chance, of opportunities for
themselves and their children. They carry with
them the visions Of America which have been In
deliby printed upon their minds from the letters
which have gone back TO Europe from friends and
relatives already In this country.
"And the immigration laws of America have, In
effect If not In so many words, said that America
welcomed those who did not fall within the exclud-
ed classes those afflicted by disease who are
likely 10 become charge upon the community. IL
held out an Invitation to the strong and able
bodied 10 come and share In the making OF n new
nation free from abuses and expressions Of the old
world
"And Of those who come over % per cent are
admitted. The rest rejected because they fall
within the inhibited classes. And IL seemed to me
when became commissioner OF immigration that
the first contact Of the alien with America should
be one that would impress upon his mind the thing
a.. al. al
should receive, the experiences they should pass
through and the contact they had with officials
wearing the uniform Of the United States should
be those Of Kindness assistance and courtesy. They
come for the most part with fear In their hearts; {;
they fear government rather than love It. And
their instinct Is TO expect something very like what
they received at home
First impressions are lasting, and IL has been
our effort at Ellis island 10 make these Impressions
as democratic as possible, and to aid In as many
ways as could in protecting the immigrant and
assisting him TO his final destination. For the Inn
migrant IS imposed on he is exploited To prevent
this as much as possible offices have been opened
I'm New York city, one at the Barge office at South
Ferry and the other at 2f0 East Seventynlnth
street 20 which the immigrant can go and procure
aid assistance and advice about matters that
cern him. Through these offices he is directed TO
schools and to the naturalization offices. The Off
ces cooperate with the police department and with
all the many agencies In New York which have
been created TO aid the immigrant. At these offices
there are employment agencies which find work
for men and women, and which aim 10 distribute
them 30 farming positions % relieve the congestion
In the cities.
"Simar protection has been accorded the alien
In transit 10 the West In securing the best trans
portatlon facilities and otherwise relieving the i'm
migrant from the dangers which beset him while
reaching his ultimate destination.
"War conditions brought probably 800 men,
women and children TO Ellis island who for some
reason other had 10 go back 20 their native land
they were not admissible 10 the country. Each Of
these cases has been investigated personally their
friends and relatives have been looked up, and In
mitted on bond 10 some person willing 10 be
sponslble FOR them Positions have been found for
hundreds from whom periodic reports are required
as 10 how they are getting along. Only In very
cases have they failed 20 make good In many
Instances they have risen rapidly and ore
ing very substantial salaries.
"Slmar Efforts are being made to promote edu-
cndonal advantages for the adult mmlgrant-to
encourage night schools. For the last year the
81 all children Of school age have been
copied and sent TO the superntendents OF educa-
ton all over the country. In order that they might
Immediately place children In school upon their
rival at their destination. By these means the gov
ernment comes In Immediate contact with the
ond generation Of immigrants and begins its as
smilation process they reach this
country"