The New York herald., 1921-12-25
New Arrivals Have 80 Day
Grace and May Be Called
Back to Island.
DAVIS GIVES PERMISSION
1,200 Remaining at Station to
Have Entertainment, Din
ner and Music.


pected to spend Christmas at Ellis
Island were admitted to the country
yesterday by the ruthless slashing of
red tape. Many of them will be able
to pass Christmas with relatives in
and near New York.
An executive order of Secretary
James j. Davis of the Department of
Labor gave this unexpected bit of
Christmas cheer to the immigrants.
The order lifted the restriction of
legal quotas and permitted the entry
Of all not detained on other technical
grounds. The overjoyed newcomers,
many of whom had been on the island
or in steerages for many days seeking
admission, were required only to sign
an undertaking that they would re-
turn, If called on. within ninety days.
Il was said that there was small likeli-
hood of any great number being called
back for further examination.
The sweeping let down Of the immi-
grafton bars was arranged by Secre-
tary Davis and Robert e. Tod. Com
missioner of Immigration here. Mr..
Davis had been in New York to view
the situation.
Many Others Held Back.
1t was thought at first that the Davis
order would affect a thousand or more
excess quota cases being held for depor-
tation. But when the financial, medical
and kinship requirements had been gone
into by an extra staff of 500 clerks and
inspectors, recruited by Commissioner
Tod, the number actually admitted under
Secretary Davis's ruling, which applied
tween 700 and 500.
Word was received that Representative
Albert johnson would introduce reso-
luton in Congress after the holiday re-
cess making permanent the temporary
ninety day release granted by Secretary
Davis. Mr.. Johnson, who was the au-
thor of the existing immigration law.
sent this message to the editor Of a for
eign language newspaper in Youngstown,
Ohio, that had been active in urging the
temporary relief awarded.
Commissioner Tod's staff faced a big
task when the order was signed. but kept
at work until the steerage passengers of
the United States liner America, from
Bremen, which reached port late in the
afternoon, were put through. Earlier in
the day they had passed those from the
Frederik VIII. of the Scandinavian
American Line.
Families Reunited.
The released arrivals were ferried to
Manhattan in groups all afternoon. 1t
was scurry and hustle at the Ellis Island
slip at South Ferry, two-thirds of those
admitted anxiously seeking directions to
their destinations. Between three or
four hundred, 1t was estimated, passed
through the Pennsylvania Station.
speeded on their way by William Egan,
stationmaster, who took personal charge.
or the $50 or less who remained in
New York city practically all were met
by relatives or friends A waiting line
at South Ferry greeted each arrival OF
the Ellis Island boat. Willing and hos
pitable hands seized bags and bundles
and the new arrivals disappeared quick
~ into the edst anu WEST sue subway
stations.
Some few were unable at first to grasp
the import OF the news Then when they
did they embraced relatives and invoked
blessings on Uncle Sam and all he rep
resents. Czechs and Hungarians. who
had come to believe they were destined
for deportation on account OF the month
ly quota law, cheered when they stepped
ashore at the Battery. Laughter and
tears mingled In scores Of affectionate
family reunions on the damp and some
what uninviting esplanado Of the Barge
Office.
Harry II. Schlacht, president OF the
Downtown Chamber of Commerce, which
had advocated the release of the Ellis
Island immigrants held under the excess
quota rulings. sent kilograms of thanks
and congratulation to President Harding
and Secretary Davis.
Between 1900 and 1900 prospective
immigrants remained on Ellis Island.
Several hundred were hospital cases.
For these less fortunate ones special
provision will be made to-day. A turkey
dinner will be served. with Commissioner
Tod as host. For the afternoon con-
cert of rather unusual quality has been
arranged. A huge Christmas tree, illu-
minated electrically, has been put up In
the auditorium and fro,,, ~ effta will he