Nearly 18 months will elapse after the appropriation has been made before a new boat can be constructed. That is all I want to say about this particular amendment. But I do want to say. as a foundation for saying less on the various amendments which I shall offer and to which I re. ferred a few moments ago. that in round numbers there are about 1.000.000 immigrants. sometimes more. sometimes a little less. that come into this country. substantially all of them at Ellis Island. Many gentlemen here. I presume. have beenat Ellis Island. I never have been there. but I know something of it in a general way. With this great number of immigrants there is a head tax of $4 to each immigrant. If a million come here that means $4.000.000. So that this Immigration Service is substantially paid for by the head tax. Now. it is strongly urged. as gentlemen will discover. not only touching this ferryboat. but touching various affairs from the standpoint of life and of health and of proper care for these. to a certain extent. helpless people when they land at Ellis Island. that they should have at least ordinary consideration and care. especially as the head tax pays for it. But even if the head tax did not pay for it. humanity requires that Ellis Island. as well as other stations. but particularly Ellis Island. inasmuch as it is a great station. should be amply safe to accommodate that service.
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immigrants Immigration head tax immigrant