IMMIGRATION: Geddes Report

Sir Auckland Geddes, British Ambassador to the United States, is not an American. He is an ” outsider.” The British Government published Sir Auckland’s report of conditions at Ellis Island. Because he is an ” outsider” there was some resentment in the U.S. at the British Ambassador’s picture of the island. The picture, however, is not unflattering to that outpost of immigration. There is continual agitation in the House of Commons over the ” inhumanity ” of Ellis Island and this report is doubtless the official information on which the British Government will base any future action on the immigration question. Like Caesar, Sir Auckland began: ” Ellis Island consists of three islands,” and then proceeded to take up in turn the aspects of each, the immigration station proper, the general hospital, the isolation hospital, situated on separate islands. The inspection of the island was made on the invitation of Secretary of Labor Davis last December, but the report is now published for the first time. Of the two hospitals, the Ambassador declared briefly that they are admirably conducted, but that in his belief more money could be advantageously spent on their upkeep. Concerning the immigration station itself Mr. Geddes come to the following conclusions: 1) That Commissioner Tod, in charge of the station (Mr. Tod was succeeded at this post on July 1 by Henry H. Curran) was “sympathetic, kindly, energetic and efficient.” 2) That the buildings were not adapted to the present needs of the immigration station, being in parts not properly ventilated, being too small, being without the best arrangement of latrines and being in need of paint and other repairs. 3) That there was a lack of cleanliness, traceable to two factors— ” greasy dirt” in many corners, and the habits of the immigrants. ” As a result of the presence of chronic dirt the buildings are pervaded by a flat, stale smell. This is quite distinct from the pungent odor of unwashed humanity. Both are to be found at Ellis Island.” 4) That the “cages” or wire enclosures in the sleeping quarters were necessary to ” prevent thefts and even more unpleasant outrages.” 5) That the food was excellent, the kitchen well equipped and managed.

6) That medical inspection was thorough and efficient, but that it took place in extremely poor accommodations.

7) That Ellis Island, “like all Government institutions in all countries,” was almost aggressively institutional. 8) That segregation of nationalities was not practical but that segregation of Jews might be, since they require special food.

9) That the system of appealing cases to Washington was ” in practice nothing short of diabolic” because of the great delays and hardships resulting.

10) That the practice of making “Americanization” speeches to would-be immigrants awaiting deportation was gratuitously irritating.

11) That for the people of any sensibility the ” cages,” the company, the quarters, the medical inspections, were in the highest degree offensive.

12) That once immigrants are officially admitted the arrangements for handling them reflected “high credit on those concerned.”

13) That more expenditure on maintenance and new and larger buildings with more extensive grounds were the only possible cures for the unpleasantness of the station.

14) That immigrants should be finally passed for entrance into the

United States before sailing from abroad.

Significant extracts:

” It is the immigrant? and would-be immigrants who create . . . the essential problem of Ellis Island . . . They all, lady, prostitute, mechanic, rabbi and whatnot are frightened, nervous, shy. . . .

“It really is remarkable to see how well the miserable mobs of nervous human beings are maneuvered through the legally necessary examinations and are despatched to their destinations. The officials certainly deserve credit for what they do achieve. . . .

” What Ellis Island needs, in my judgment, is to be relieved of the presence of about one-half of the people who are poured into it.”