Speech #630404134

At a comparatively small cost of money it has been renovated and made habitable for disciplinary companies of soldiers who deserted and who are trying to redeem themselves. The War Department feels that these soldiers can be used to some advantage if they are placed in these disciplinary barracks at FortPoint. that their labor can be utilized in the construction of roads and walks. and the care of the grounds in the military posts in and. about the bay of San Francisco. The present immigration station Is located on Angel Island. between 4 and 5 miles from San Francisco and approximately 3 miles north of Alcatraz Island. That station was completed about 10 yeArs ago. With the exception of the building which contains the dynamos and boilers. as I now recall. the buildhigs are of wood construction. At the present time the sole occupants are orientals. Chinese and Japonese and Hindu Immigrants who come from oriental countries t6 San Francisco. There is no doubt that With the opefiing of the Panama Canal additional Immigration buildings will have to be constructed. There are no accommodations. or there would be no accommodations at present. for white Immigrants coming to San Francisco if they should come in any considerable numbers. and it is believed that they will come in considerable numbers as soon mis the canal is formally opened for the traffic of the world. In view of that fact. the Secretary of Labor. negotiating with the War* Department. and the War Department. feeling that a considerable saving could be made to the Government by transferring those buildings to the Department of Labor. has asked for this legislation.