New-York tribune., 1919-11-25
Alleged ''Reds'' Demand
Removal Of a Screen
Keeping Them From
Contact With Callers
Refuse to Answer
Calls to Inquiry
Congressional Committee
Told Watchmen Are
Too Old and Too Few

SiXty-slX alleged anarchists held ut
Ellis Island declared general strike"
yesterday.
"The Committee of Room 203." the
pen IN which the men held under
criminal anarchy charges are i'm
rrisoncd, addressed a communication
to Acting Commissioner Byron II. Uhl,
demanding that the screen barrier
which separates them from their
friends during visiting hours be re-
moved. Failing this, they threatened
to refuse TO attend hearings Of their
own cases. Mr.. Uhl replied that the
demand would not be granted and that
ailens would refuse at their peril to
attend the hearings.
Attaches of the immigration station
went to Room 203 and called the names
of certain individuals. They received
no response. The guards We're told that
the Ellis Island Soviet" had declared
strike. The inmates of the pen re-
fused to reveal their identity, and the
officials found it useless TO attempt .o
separate them, as they did not know
one from the other 1t was admitted
that the arresting officers who ex-
ecuted the warrants would have to be
called upon to re6stablish the identity
Of the alleged anarchists.
Friends Refuse to Leave
Further complications were brought
a tnr fr;o Il s
2O3, visiting at the island yesterday.
refused to leave unless permitted to
visit the aliens without being both
cred by the screen barrier. After
some persuasion the visitors consent
ed to depart.
The revolt of the inmates OF Room
203 took place while the lmmlrration
Committee of the House Of Represent
atives wns conducting It's formal in
quiry into conditions at the island.
covering admission, exclusion and de-
portation of Aliens.
The ultlmatum OF the "Committee
Of Room 203," signed by NJ. Oshav-
ow ky, Peter T. Bank and Arthur
Netzes, was read to the committee.
Mr.. UhI then declared that force would
be used, if necessary and his answer.
refusing the demands of the alleged
anarchists, also was read
Following the reading Of the letter
the committee was advised that Isaac
Schorr, counsel for the alleged anar-
chists, was leaving on the 2::3O boat
Suspects Attorney Examined
Don't let him leave" cried Repre-
sentative Raker, of California. Bring
him he1 ere the committee and let's find
out whether this attorney is running
the Immigration station or not"
In tcstifyng Mr.. Schorr said that he
had law Office at 1928 Broadway and
Room POS as q whole. although he was
not paid in a lump sum He SAID he
was aware that there was some mis-
understanding about the screen bar
rier, and illat he was ready to with
draw If his clients refused to proceed
with the hearing OF their cases. He
said he represented siXty-six men held
under criminal anarchy charges. bat
that he had nothing to do with .he
writing oi the Letter 10 the acting COM
missioner.
"To what organizations do these
clients Of your oelong?" asked Chair
man Johnson
They are members of the Union of
Russian Workers." he replied.
Don't you advise your clients TO OBJ
serve ire rules ?" he was asked.
81 always do he replied. He said
he had no objection to the screen bar
rier in the visitors room, and declared
that he was not q member Of any or
CARNATIONS to which his clients be
onged. He admitted that he thought
the screen necessary to prevent visit
ing friends from smuggling firearms
to the ~l,ersse
Counsel for Other Suspects
Schci ,cs flied that he had been
counsel a. different times for Osha
vowsky, 8ianki and Ketzcs. and had
represented number Of other men
who have been arrested in New York
on criminal anarchy charges Schorr
Is expected to be brought before the
committee at future hearings. He
conferred with his clients after leaving
the committee.
Room 203 was visited by the Con-
gressional committee Saturday and
several young men. who admitted they
were anarchists. declared that they
were dreaming OF world revolution, and
that it was their sole purpose il life
TO overthrow the government
At the morning session Of the COM
mlttees Investigation IL was developed:
That the inspection and oxamina-
tion OF incoming aliens. to be done
properly. should De transferred from
aboard ships TO the immigration sta
ticn itself.
That the watchmen at the station
are past the stage OF usefulness and
that the number of Watchmen is in
sufficient
That the examination and inspec-