Chairman. the department has requested an appropriation of $560.000 for this purpose. The Committee on Appropriations. in the desire to show a spirit of economy. has eliminated all of the appropriation asked for. except $55.000. in lieu of the $560.000 requested. About two weeks ago. on the floor of this House. the Immigration Committee that investigated conditions at Ellis Island reported conditions existing there that were indeed deplorable. They reported that hundreds upon hundreds of unfortunate immigrants who under our law are permitted to come have been obliged to be detained for several days at Ellis Island under most distressing conditions because of lack of officials to conduct the inspection. These poor people have no place to sleep. no place to eat. Notwithstanding that report and notwithstanding the request of the department for relief to bring about a better condition. to improve conditions at Ellis Island. the Committee on Appropriations have refused to listen to those appeals and have refused to appropriate a sum large enough to enable the officials at Ellis Island to bring about such improvements and to provide such facilities as shall result in giving these unfortunate people humane treatment.
Keywords matched
Immigration immigrants