The Washington herald., 1922-11-24
LIFT OE ALIEN B
BARIsURGED
BY SCH[ACHT
Move Would Afford Relief to
Acute Labor Shortage in U.
s., He Tells the President
IMMIGRANTS ARE ROBBED
New York Civic Leader De-
scribes PitifuI Conditions Oh
: tanning at Ellis Island Now

Temporary uftlng OF the tmmlgra-
Ion ban to relieve an acute labor
shortage, especially in and around
New York, q thorough cleanup Of
conditions governing the reception
OF immigrants at Ellis Island, and
creation of an independent imnigra-
tion board are among the recon-
mendations made to President Hard
ing today by Harry H. Schlacht,
president Of the Downtown Chamber
of Commerce. Of New York.. and
missioner.
Mr.. Schlacht is noted as an
authority on immigration problems,
and has written a series OF articles
for the Hearst papers on the vital
necessity for immigration reforms.
Denouncing the activities OF un-
scrupuious men who are robbing
immigrants >on pretense that they
will assist them in evading the i'm
migration restrictions. Mr.. Schlacht
declared that the Department or
Justice should take immediate action
TO curb such operations.
Pretended To Be Bankers.
There are organizations abroad
which are urging immigrants to
sell their homes and come to Amer
ica," he told a Washington Herald
reporter today. These men are
AFFILIATED with New York organiza-
tions conducting business under the
suise of private bankers and rob-
bing the immigrants Of their life
i told him was sick said one
Immigrant awaiting deportation be-
cause of physical disability. He told
me he would guarantee admission II
I gave him money. i did give him
everything. l even sold my bedding
/ have no home. Oh, where are
you sending me-?
"The scenes attending tlOdepor-
tation of these poor souls VINO are
daily coming to Ellis Island through
the nefariOus operations Oh people oI
that sort are tragic.
II have heard a great deal about
the efforts of these same enter
nrising gentlemen in working up
fake passports and vises. Quite a
number OF immigrants have come
TO the Island armed with these lake
papers. The deportation OF these
unfortunates is in most instances
heartbreaking.
"An immigrants should be ex-
amined by the United States agents
abroad. Men selected for their
kindness, tact and intelligence
should be stationed at all points Of
debarkation abroad so that physical
defects may be discovered before
and not after the. voyage to
America.
Secretary of Labor Davis is in
hearty accord with this plan. which
would make il unnecessary for help
less ones to cross the ocean before
learning positively whether they are
eligible to enter the United states.
Asks New Board.
Mr.. Schlacht urges appointment
of Federal immigration Board. to
he appointed by the President. with
the consent of Congress. to be COM
posed of the, leading men and wom-
en- of the country. and to operate
utter the fashion of the Federal
Banking System. He would have
on this board a prominent labor
authority. a shipping man. educa-
tor. social worker and such others
rs might be needed.
There should be immediate i'm
proyements at Ellis Island. including
the installation Of ample bathing
facilities and means for cleaning and
disinfectinS clothing and bedding" he
declared.
THE foreign exchange office. now
operated under private auspices.
should come under supervision of the
Government. IL it Is profitable for
private agencies to conduct such an
office, it should be possible for the
Government to take over the work
without expense to itself.
The restaurant, now conducted
for private profit. should also be
taken over and operated by the Gov
ernment. Such a step would be of
great benefit to the immigrant, both
: through reduction in prices and i'm
provement in service. This work, too.
could be carried on without loss to
the Government"