Speech #550094646

I will briefly state that a year or more ago the immigrant station at Ellis Island was destroyed by fire. Congress at the last session passed a bill appropriating $600.000 for the reconstruction of an immigrant building upon the island and for the enlargement of the island. The Treasury Department prepared for the reconstruction of this very important station according to the most approved designs and in a durable manner. Those having in charge the work appeared before the Committee on Immigration and submitted to that committee the plans they had adopted and fully presented the imperative needs of the service. The committee was convinced that the work and improvements provided for by the original appropriation were inadequate. and that the additional work and improvements contemplated by the amendment are absolutely essential in the proper transaction of the vast and important business at the immigrant station. The first item which I have offered by way of amendment amounts to $55.200 for the construction of an inmigrahts disinT fection bath house and laundry. The assistant cb~nmissiond* bf immigration at New York makes the following careful and complete statement with reference to the character of and necessity for this improvement: In this building it is proposed to disinfect the clothing and clean the person of every immigrant arriving at the port of New York who may be detained over night for any reason. This is a separate plant from the smaller disinfecting apparatus used at the hospital. where all those diseased or liable to spread contagion are treated in another way by the medical authorities. * m * After the immigrants pass their inspection and are held for any reason. before they retire for the night it is proposed to pass them into this disinfection building. where there should be provided a bathing establishment containing a sufficient number of shower baths for men and separate baths for women and children. In connection with these baths should be a room for disinfecting the clothnug and effects of immigrants by means of formalinegas apparatus. in order to destroy all vermin. This apparatus. which is the most modern and effectie. while being at the same time very inexpensive. can also be used o disinfect blankets. and deodorize and disinfect the rooms in the main building. where the immigrants live and sleep while detained. In connection with this should be a free laundry. tubs for the use of immigrants. with hot and cold water. and drying racks over steam coils. In this building should also be established a laundry suitable for the work of the island. exclusive of the hospital. for toweis. blankets. bedelothing. etc. The building should be well lighted. ventiated. and properly warmed made of nonahsorbing. noncorrosive material. wails lined with enameled bricks. and the whole capable of being toroughy scoured and cleaned.