The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-09-23
WILSON'S 5APPOINTEE
MAINTAINS RECORD
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facts. That they were mis,tated was
proved by an investigation begun at
| once by the committee on immigra-
ton OF the house Of representatives
co-operated with by Mr.. Howe himself
| and the department OF labor. The re-
port OF Secretary Wilson and Solicitor
Densmore, adopted unanimously by the
committee Of congress, after inquiry,
| proved that a notable condition OF
| moral cleanliness prevailed when it
| was considered that the exegincies OF
| the European war and the impossi-
bility Of .deporting many OF the. un-
! desirables had crowded tho Islands
grounds, hospitals and detention rooms
far beyond any provision that had been
| made for ordinary or foreseen occa-
| sions. The acts Of kindness and hu-
mainly and necessary common sense
in the emergency which Mr.. Howe
| had done, and which had been ap-
proved by the secretary of labor,
were misrepresented in themselves
and distorted from the surrounding
| facts and conditions which inspired or
compelled them.
Integrity Brings Attack.
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 exploit
tation by greed of the poor and un-
sophisticated immigrants as Commits
sioner Howe has stopped it could !
escape such an attack.
From this attack Commissioner
Howe energies not only completely
indicated. but with this statement OF
the secretary of labor made to con-
gress concerning the things he had
done:
"The following substantial achieve
ments in the efficient administration
of the station have been effected by
Commissioner Howe:
"1) A thorough investigation
with experts was made of the cost of
hospitals which were alleged to be
self-sustaining. Tho commissioner
found that the hospitals were losing
over 100000 a year, which loss was
being paid by the government for the
benefit Of the steamship companies.
He secured an increase in hospital
charges to steamship companies which
has increased the earnings of the hos
pitfalls by approximately 100000:
"(2) He reinvestigated requests
for money for permanent appropria-
tons and after investigation reduced
such request, in 1915, by 100000;
"(3) He reduced, In response to
war conditions, the operating salary
costs Of the Ellis Island station by ap-
proximate1y 100000 a year;
"(D He investigated the many i'm
migration lodging houses and homes
in New ork and brought about a
cleanup number Of them.
"(5) He secured the cooperation
of the commissioner Of police to clean
up the conditions which surrounded
the barge office, and by 80 doing pro-
tected the incoming immigrants at
New ork from the individual who had
previously preyed upon them;
"(61 He Investigated and brought
about. many reforms in the protection
Of the aliens en- route from Ellis 1s-
land, both at Jersey City and along the
route;
"(7) He organized all Of the en-
ployes at the station into an associa-
ton for making the wants Of the en-
ployes known and for securing the CO.
operation of all the employees in the
administration of the station;
.sS,"(8r: He brought about a reorgan-
t.: ton of the purchasing of supplies
for the hospitals at great saving and
improvement in the service;
"(9) He made an investigation of
the conditions under which landing Of
first and second cabin aliens were
made at the various piers around New
York, and ended many abuses and
losses to which the aliens were ex-
posed:
"(10) He brought about a change
in the inspection Of first and second
cabin aliens on shipboard which great
ly improved the service;
"G1) He made a number Of STU
dies at the request Of the department
as to means for increasing the ef-
| ficiency and the rating of the en-
| ploves;
"(12) He greatly Increased the
output Of the division Of statistics and
| brought about complete change in
the filing system;
"(13) He worked in cooperation
with the board of education of New
| York for the opening Of the night
schools for the education Of adult
aliens;
"(1D He organized a. number Of
agencies looking to the protection Of
aliens in New York;
"(15) He organized a movement
! in 1916 for Americanization day cele-
brations throughout the country, and
| over 100 citieC held citizenship cele-
brations as a result of the commission
| er's efforts:
"(16) During the past two years
Ellis Island has been almost free
from the constant criticism on the
part Of foreign organizations and of
foreign press, which prior to his ad-
ministration was continuous. It was
directed at the alleged lack Of kind
poss and consideration FL incnxY,}ue