The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1916-09-22

workers begins at Ellis Island. Tha
is New York's great port of entry TO
immigrants Through that gatewa
have poured the greatest number o
those men and women and childrel
from Europe who have peopled thi
great republic titled its fields, opened
its mines established its factories ant
made them productive, made its laws
elected its public servants, ant
created here a nation distinctive ant
great in its achievements and NOR,
distinctive and great in it's promises.
To have charge at this gateway anC
to safeguard the rights of the people
already here and to safeguard in euua
measure the rights and interests o.
the new workers and citizens and
their families, President Wilson ap
pointed Frederic c. Howe. 1t was one
of those appointments like the an
pointment of Louis D. Brandeis to the
Supreme Court, that was hailed every.
where among the plain people as a
pledge that the administration in
tended government of the right
kind of men to carry on a government
of the right kind of laws Among all
informed and forward-looking people.
and especially among the producers
and toilers many of whom had passed
through Ellis Island and knew from
experience what was wrong with it
and what should be made right with
it, Mr.. Howe's appointment gave the
satisfaction.
The finest and greatest proof that
in his place of trust at Ellis Island
Frederic c. Howe vindicated and up
held the national and international
reputation he had earned as a writer
OF fundamental democracy and as an
official and unofficial servant in
action of the public has been given
lately by a member of congress,
named w. S. Bennett of New York.
This congressman was irresponsible
because he was privileged to make the
most unfOunded accusations against
any public or private citizen without
any esponsibility in a court Of law
Or in any other tribunal for his state
ments This congressman exercised
this privilege against public official,
who had not the privileges of the floor
Of congress, as the result of the action
Of Commissioner Howe in having ad-
yised that the government should not.
continue a contract with a firm of
former clients of the congressman for
feeding the immigrant men, women
and children cOufided to the govern
ments care. Mr.. Howes recon-
were that the contract,
involving the expenditure OF half a
million dollars a year in time of nor
NAL immigration and being very
should not be renewed, and
hat, instead, the authorities at Ellis
sland should purchase the food and
prepare and supply it to the immi-
grants at cost.
For this Mr. Howe was assailed
For this unfounded rumors of i'm
morality among the thousands Of
men and women of all nationalities
Who are detained at the island were
nisstated as facts. That they were
nisstated was proved by an investiga-
ion begun at once by the committee
IN immigration Of the house Of repre-
co-operated with by Mr.
Howe himself and the Department OF
Labor. The report Of Secretary Viii
son and Solicitor Densmore, adopted
by the committee Of con-
5ress, after inquiry, proved that a
notable condition of moral cleanliness
prevailed when it was considered that
the eXigencies of the European war
and the impossibility Of deporting
many of the undesirables had crowded
the islands grounds, hospitals and
detention rooms far beyond any pro
vision that had been made for ordi-
nary or foreseen occasions. The acts
Of kindness and humanity and neces-
sary common sense in the emergency
which Mr.. Howe had done, and which
had been approved by the secretary
Of labor, were misrepresented in them
selves and distorted from the sur
rounding facts and conditions which
inspired or compelled them.
No public servant who steps on the
toes" of takers of profit where there
should be no profit; no official who
takes seriously the laws mandate to
safeguard the weak and oppressed
who are in his care; no man in public
or private life who has stopped ex-
ploitation by greed of the poor and