Denver labor bulletin., 1916-09-23
(By DANTE BARTON.)


citizens and workers begins at Ellis ISL
and That is New York's greatest port
of entry for Immigrants. Thru that
gateway have poured the greatest num-
Der of those men and women and chill
dren from Europe who have peopled this
great republic, titled its fields, opened
its mines, established its factories and
made them productive, made its laws,
elected its public servants, and created
here nation distinctive and great in its
achievements and more distinctive and
great in its promises.
To have charge at this gateway and
to safeguard the rights of the people al
ready here and to safeguard in equal
measure the rights and interests of the
new workers and citizens and their fam
lilies, President Wilson appointed Fer
eric G.. Howe. It was one of those ap-
pointments, like the appointment of
Louis D. Brandeis to the supreme court,
that was hailed everywhere among the
plain people as pledge that the admin
istration intended 4 government of the
right kind of men to carry on govern
ment of the right kind of laws. Among
all informed and forward looking peo-
pie, and especially among the producers
and toilers, many of whom had passed
thru Ellis Island and knew from expe-
rience what was wrong with it and what
should be made right with it, Mr.. Howe's
appointment gave the chiefest satisfac-
tion.
Attacked by Congressman
The finest and greatest proof that in
his place of trust at Ellis Island, Fred
erick c. Howe vindicated and upheld
the national and International reputa-
tion he had earned as writer of fun
damental democracy and as an official
and unofficial servant in action of the
public has been given lately by MEM
ber of congress. named w. s. Bennet,
of New York This congressman was ir-
responsible because he was privileged
to make the most unfounded accusations
against any public or private citizen
without any responsibility in a court of
law or in any other tribunal for his
statements.
This congressman exercised this priv
ilege against a public official, who had
not the privileges of the floor of con-
gress. as result of the action OF Com
missioner Howe in having advised that
the government should not continue a
contract with firm of former clients
of the congressman for feeding the i'm
migrant men, women and children con-
fided to the governments care. Mr..
contract, involving the expenditure of
$500 900 a year, in time of normal i'm
migration, and being very profitable,
should not be renewed, and that. instead,
the authorities at Ellis Island should
purchase the food and prepare and sup
ply it to the immigrants at cost.
Moral Cleanliness Prevails.
For this Mr.. Howe was assailed. For
h hio daJ nf Hirpr fxyS'
among the thousands of men and women
of all nationalites who are detained at
the island were misstated as facts. That
they were misstated was proved by an
investigation begun at once by the COM
mittee on immigration of the house of
representatives co-operated with by Mr..
Howe himself and the department of
labor. The report of Secretary Wilson
and Solicitor Densmore, adopted unani-
mously by the committee of congress,
after inquiry, proved that notable con-
dition of moral cleanliness prevailed
when it was considered that the ext
gencies of the European war and the i'm
possibility of deporting many of the un-
deisrables had crowded the islands
grounds. hospitals and detention rooms
far beyond any provision that had been
made for ordinary or foreseen occasions.
The acts of kindness and humanity and
necessary common sense in the emer-
gency which Mr.. Howe had done, and
which had been approved by the secre-
! tary of labor. were misrepresented in
themselves and distorted from the sur
rounding facts and conditions which in
spired 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 pri-
vate life who has stopped exploitation
immigrants as Commissioner Howe has
stopped it could escape such an attack.
Howe's Splendid Record.
From this attack Commissioner Howe
energies not only completely vindicated,
but with this statement of the secre-
tary of labor made to congress concern.
ing the things he had done:
"The following substantial achieve
ments in the efficient administration of
the station have been effected by Com
missioner Howe
81. A thoro investigation with ex-
perts was made of the cost of hospitals
which were alleged to be lf-sustainine
The commissioner found that the hos
pitals were losing over 100000 year,
which loss was being paid by the gov
ernment for the benefit of the steam
ship companies. He secured an increase
in hospital charges to steamship com.
panies witch has increased the earnings
of the hospitals by approximately $780,
900.
"2. He reinvestigated requests for
money for permanent appropriations and
after investigation reduced such request,
in 1915. by 100000.
"3. He reduced, in response to war
conditions the oneratinp salary costs of