Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-10-12
FOREIGN HORDES
TAX CAPACITY Of
NEW YORK STATION

|
melting pot of the world, is boiling
as never before, with the greatest
| flood of immigrants in history pour
ing into it. Millions more are clam
| oring at Europe's exits, anxious to
come to America and congress will
| be pressed to quickly enlarge both
the physical plant and working force
on the island to more than double
it's present size, according to Immi-
| grafton Commissioner Frederick A.
Wallis.
Since early last summer. aliens
have been entering Americas front
| door in unprecedented numbers. The
problem of housing them until they
can be admitted to the country has
become painful to all parties con-
cerned. Recently, hundreds of i'm
had to sleep standing up, as the
| floors, benches and chairs already
were filled with the backwash from
the congested dormitories.
The tide is certain to become
Commissioner Wallis felt assured.
Steamship operators informed him
their accommodations are booked to
capacity for II months ahead. Gov
eminent officials announced 267, 900
applications ldu peen Enaue LOT pass
ports in Poland alone, mostly by
Jews, while hundreds of thousands
in other parts of Europe also were
| anxious to cross the seas to this
country.
Italians and Poles
Between 100000 and 100000
Italians are seeking domiciles and
citizensip here and more than 3,000,-
600 Poles want to come over" said
Commissioner Wallis, who attribut-
ed the exodus from Europe to the
harsh postwar living conditions and
the economic situation.
Frequently the commissioner ask
ed the aliens why they left Europe.
Most of them replied mo money, no
eat" he said. Many Italian farmers
declared they quit their native soil
because of the danger from explo-
tlegroundS.
Added to the prospective influx Of
immigrants from the countries of
the war allies. will be millions in
from Germany, who, IS soon as the
way is clear, will seek passage to
ties have been informed by reliable
and official sources. THE immigra-
ton in the future will be limited on
ly by the capacity of the vessels"
Commissioner Wallis said.
In the meantime while wondering
how many, years it will be before
aliens quit coming across the sea
at their present rate, Ellis Island
workers are perplexed over their ex-
listing problems. The normal capac-
ity of the island is reached when
1000 immigrants are inspected daily
Yet on recent day, 10,400 aliens
were fed there. During another day
the same week 1000 persons were
detained in the holds of the vessels
which brought them over, while Of
Nf
examining 1000 then on the island
For two days the island doors were
shut against incomers, who remained
on boats,
The rapidity of handling them de-
ponds upon the aliens themselves.
Commissioner Wallis has found that
some groups are easier to examine
than Others. while care must be taken
In separating the many nationalities
which makes the island converse ton
sound like that at the Tower of
Babel.
IF we mix English, Irish and
Jews there will be a free-for-all
hight. in ten minutes" said the COM
missioner. "The English won't eat
with the Jews, and call them for
eignerS"
Care for Immigrants
Three recent additions to the tasks
of the immigration officials have
made more tedious the handling o.
ne aliens. Much time is required
in vlselng passports; and the liter
pass, also causes trouble. Each alien
must read in one language before be-
ing admitted. In addition to it's la
bors with the aliens, the immigra-
ion officials examine ever~ seaman
entering, the port, even though he
left it but a few days before. Tn
the last eight months 100000 seamen
were examined here.
Despite, congestion, everything pos
slole Is beng done to make the
treatment Of the aliens on the island
humane. Babies are given warm
milk and crackers. Candy, cigarettes,
fruit and other comforts are fur
nlshed adults. Sunday concerns.
with bands. grand opera stars ans
others on the program, are held
a bed, 10000 army blankets recent
ly received from Washington, are
available for improvised sleeping
equipment
Ellis Island authorities are trying
not to keep the aliens in the holds:
striving not, to delay commerce by
holding up ships in that manner. and
SO Tar they have succeeded. But, no
matter how fast the immigrants ar
rive, the examinations will not be
made less rigid, but will continually
Dc made more severe, Commits Toner
Wallis said
Aliens who are refused admittance
and the percentage of rejected ones
has Increased greatly since before
the WARFARE returned to the port
of the steamships. Most of those
admitted to America are going to in
dustrial centers, but many are flock
ing to rural districts and farms, the
commissioner said.