The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
RECE WING STATION r | R IMMIGRANTS FILTHY, IS CLAIM
Suggests Selection Of For- eiknerS At Their Home
 Port As Best Method
By RALPH Fl. TURNER .ensed Wire to The Age-Herald)

Licensed Wire to The Age-Hernld)
 LONDON. Aug. 15s ' The com pound smell of old dirt and new immigrants was so nearly universal that after leaving Ellis Island it took me nearly s6 hours to get rid of the aroma which favored every thing I ate and drank. k.'' Sir Auck- land Geddes declared in a report to the British government on Ellis Island conditions. Geddes is Brit ish ambassador to Washington.
 The report, published Wednesday by the foreign office. recommends extensive structural alterations and repair of existing buildings, the es- tRblishment of proper medical eX- amlning rooms, and the improvement of ventilation of downstairs rooms of Ellis Island.
 It also suggests that the present first-class rooms be replaced by out side rooms having windows. and urges the provision of a new sta ton for criminals and prostitutes awaiting deportation.
 Constant Complaints.
 Geddes investigation of Ellis Island conditions followed constant com plaints from British subjects detained there. It completely analyEes. every phase of operation of the immigrant receiving station, and it's recommen- dations touch many phases of the work,
 Separate stations for those requir- ing kosher" food are urged, and the suggestion Is made that the American authorities do everything to expedite the handling of immi- grants, especially in the matter of appeals"
 Caustic reference is made to the quaint custom of delivering lectures on Amerlcanization to criminal and other deportees," which Sir Auckland suggests could be abandoned.
 strangely enough, this well-meant activity seems more annoying to its victims than any other detail or Ellis Island life" the report states. Accepted Abroad.
 It emphasizes the need of an ar ranEement by which immi grants could be accepted or rejected in their home lands, and the authorization given to American consuls to refuse vises to persons who are obviously unadmissible.
 Brighten up the hospital interiors with fresh paint" another suggestion.
 The report states that the chief problems of Ellis Island are:
 l. Immigration is about twice as heavy as the station is capable of handling.
 2. The heterogeneous character of the immigrants and their varying stan dards of life makes it impossible to prevent suffering on the part of some of them.
 Pays High Tribute.
 IL pays high tribute to the eff ciency of many departments and at tempts to present both sides of the question, admitting that cleanliness Is difficult to achieve as many of the immigrants do not know the mean ing of the word.
 Sir Auckland found much chronic filth in the building, however, and declares that they are pervaded by flat, stale smells as we'll as the pun gent odor of unwashed humanity.
 The food was good and well cooked, and fleeing arrangements were the bes tthat could be expected, but criticism is raised on the point of indiscriminate herding of immri grants for medical inspection which is disgusting" for those of any re- finement.
 The report deplores the red tape by which doubtful immigrants are separated from thetr families for long periods of time, causing them sus pense and "eXcruiciating" mental suffering, and concludes:
 Tt is impossible to administer any immigration station under the exist ing laws of the United States with out hardship and tragedy"