William+Williams,+Ellis+Island+Immigration+Commissioner+on+Corruption+of+Immigrant+Boarding+Houses+in+Manhattan,+1903-1910

//**National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, D.C.**// //**Documents from: E 151 "Letters Sent" (1903-1906)**// //**(RG #85, Stack Area 17W3 Row 4, Compartment 32)**//

__**//Letter One://**__ //Volume Eight, Page 727, #19,916// October 28, 1903 Board of Trustees or Managers, Austro-Hungarian Home 14 Greenwich St., New York City.

Sirs: (1) Many complaints have reached me in relation to the manner in which immigrants discharged to the Ellis Island agents of the Austro-Hungarian Home are thereafter dealt with. It becomes my duty to lay before you some of the cases in order that you may offer any explanation that you wish in regard to any of them. (2) I have repeatedly learned that those in immediate charge of the Home (a) treat inmates as well as their friends or relatives who may call for them roughly; (b) decline to take proper steps to ascertain the whereabouts of such relatives or friends in order that the inmates may join them. (3) The President of the Health Department has sent to me a copy of his report in relation to the condition of the building in which you care for the immigrants, showing that it is unfit for such purposes. Please state specifically whether you take issue with the Health Department upon any of the statements therein made or whether you admit them to be correct; also whether you consider that a building in this condition is a proper place in which to care for immigrants. (4) I will also be glad to have you inform me what proportion of the immigrants turned over to the Home ?? (cut off page) placed through the agency of Mr. Conrad Liebert, and why this is done. Also whether skilled laborers or persons not fitted to perform farm labor are so turned over, and if so what employment is found for them.

Respectfully, William Williams Commissioner

(Enc. 590) GSC

__//**Letter Two:**//__ Volume Three, Page 656, #19098 August 8, 1903 Polish Immigrant Home, 117 Broad Street, New York City

Sirs: I enclose a copy of an affidavit showing what happened to an immigrant named Dirse Simon and also several others who were taken from Ellis Island to your home by your representative here about Easter time. Since then I have had the occasion to require you to change your methods of doing business with the immigrants and I have no evidence that at the present time any one connected with your home is acting otherwise than in the interests of the immigrants. The enclosed furnishes additional reasons why I took the action I did and I request that you write me whether any one who had any part in dealing with the within named immigrants is still connected with your home.

Respectfully, William Williams Commissioner

O Enclosure #5C. [N.B. No enclosure followed the letter]

__//**Letter Three:**//__ Volume Twelve, Page 602--604, #19916 December 30, 1903 Board of Trustees or Managers, Austro-Hungarian Home 14 Greenwich St. New York City.

Sirs: I acknowledge receipt of your letter of November 21, 1903, written in reply to my letter of October 28. In the latter I took certain general exceptions to the management off the Home and in addition I cited six specific instances showing improper treatment of immigrants. Each of these instances you have sought to explain, but your explanation has failed, as shown in the paper hereto annexed marked "Comments". [sic] These six instances are by no means the only ones in which this office has found that immigrants have been treated at the Home in a manner detrimental to their best interests. They illustrate what I have learned to be the general course of conduct observed by those in immediate charge.

On October 14, 1903, the Board of Health made the following report in relation to the condition of the building:

"The Home occupies the entire house at No. 14 and only the first floor in No. 16. The buildings are very old and dilapidated, the roof leaks badly, rendering the plaster on the walls and ceiling wet and loose; the outside eaves' gutters and rain-leaders leak, rendering the walls damp, the walls and ceilings throughout the house are very dirty, and have not been cleaned, painted, or whitewashed in a long time; the yards are not properly flagged or drained, rendering the basement floors decayed and damp; the wooden steps leading from the first floor into the yards are defective and dangerous; the wood floors throughout the houses are old, defective and difficult to keep clean; the glass in the windows on each floor is broken, allowing cold draughts and rain water to enter the rooms; the bowls and seats and floors of the water closets are filthy with excrement and urinary deposits. On the second floor in No. 14 there is a wooden trough lined with filthy sheet-metal, which is used as a lavatory. The trap of the sink in the basement of No. 14 is corroded and allows the escape of sewer air. The woodwork over the sink in No. 16 is wet and offensive and not protected by metal flashings."

"The attic in No. 14 Greenwich St. is used as a sleeping room for the women; there are thirteen beds in this attic. The attic rooms are insufficiently ventilated and not of sufficient area to allow of as many beds. The walls and ceilings of the attic are damp and the plaster is loose." Until the Health Department interfered the Home was therefore willing to take immigrants to quarters described as above, charging them rates which showed that the establishment is essentially a business, not a charitable institution. If, as stated, the landlord was bound to maintain this building in proper repair it is the more discreditable to the management that it did not of its own motion compel him to do this.

The statement that "The Home had strictly and essentially complied with all regulations and orders from your Department," is very far from being correct. On July 29, 1903, I wrote the Home a letter (quoted in the comments on case No. 2) in which I specifically stated that immigrants discharged to it did not remain under its control for one year. This really went without saying: nevertheless I find that according to its answer to case No. 2 it was still endeavoring to retain such control.

I find that those in immediate charge of the Home have treated inmates, as well as their friends or relatives who may have called upon them, roughly, that they have declined to take proper steps to ascertain the whereabouts of relatives or friends to whom the inmates had expressed a wish to go, that they had actually prevented such inmates from joining their relatives or friends, that they have declined to pay over to immigrants such sums of money left for transmittal and to which the immigrants were clearly entitled, that they have compelled them to make purchases against their wishes, and that they have willfully and carelessly maintained their premises in a condition so shocking that the Board of Health condemned the same in unmeasured terms. So gross has been the mismanagement that at least three of the directors have felt obliged to call the Commissioner's attention thereto.

Instead of a willingness to follow the well-known wishes of the immigration authorities I have found a disposition, which is now again evidenced by the letter of November 21, to justify actions which are wholly unjustifiable, and to shield the misdeeds of managers whose carelessness, verging often on coarseness and brutality, appear to be known to everyone excepting the Board of Trustees, as to whom I can only conclude that they have failed in the past to acquaint themselves with the facts, and that had they known the facts as they exist they would not have attached their names to the letter of November 21.

Until such time as the Government can be satisfied that this Home is managed exclusively in the interest of the immigrants, its right to representation at Ellis Island is withdrawn.

Respectfully, William Williams Commissioner

Approved [illegible] Commissioner General JAM

__//**Letter Four:**//__ Volume 14, Pages 656-657, #18930 January 30, 1904 Chief of Boarding Division, Barge Office.

Sirs: It is desired that the Boarding Matrons familiarize themselves with proper boarding-houses or homes in New York City to which they may direct female aliens requiring advice along these lines. Some time ago the following lists of places were given to me:

For Steerage Aliens. Mrs. Thornton, 219 Second Avenue, would no doubt receive a number of them. And there is also the lodging house at No. 6 Rivington Street, which is a good one and where they would be received without questions. In these two houses the lodgings are 20 cents and 15 cents per night, and the food is at any price a person might wish to pay for a meal [sic]. And for a class who would be suitable there is the Salvation Army Women's Hotel, 243 Bowery.

For Cabin Aliens. Martha Washington Hotel, 30 E. 30th Street; charges about $3 per diem. The Shelter for Respectable Girls, 159 East 46th Street, Sister Eleanor in charge. $5 a week for room; 50 cents a day for board and lodging.

The Ladies' Christian Union have [sic] three homes: The Young Women's Home, 49 W. 9th St. Branch Home, 306 Second Avenue Eva Home, 153 East 62nd Street

These homes are for the promotion of the best welfare of young women who are self-supporting; it is not known whether the cabin aliens would come under this class. This could be ascertained by communicating with Mrs. L. H. Burr., corresponding secretary, 31 West 46th St., or with the superintendents at the homes.

The Jeanne d'Arc Home, 253 West 24th Street, for French Roman Catholic Girls. The French Evangelical Church's Home Society, 341 West 30th Street. This is more particularly for French Girls, but they io [sic] receive others. The St. Bartholomew's Girls' Club House, 136 East 47th St. The Anthony Home, 126 East 17th St., Mrs. Huntington, Superintendent. Rooms of the Young Women's Christian Association at the Margaret Louise Home on East 15th St.

I am not personally familiar with these addresses. They should be looked into by the Matrons whenever they have leisure. I will be glad to have them agree upon any other proper places of this sort and submit to me through you the names thereof.

I desire that you arrange to bring the Matrons to my office for an interview at some time when all of them, or at any rate the majority of them, are at the Barge Office with an hour or so to spare before it will be necessary for them to go down the bay or to the docks.

Respectfully, William Williams Commissioner (Inclosure No. 5179 [or 3179]) VL

__//**Letter Five:**//__ Volume Fifteen, Page 46, #22565 February 1, 1904 The Polish Society 117 Broad St., New York City

Sirs: The caps worn by your representatives at Ellis Island are calculated to convey to immigrants the impression that these representatives may be Government officials. I desire that such caps be changed in one or more particulars, and ask that you confer with Supervising Inspector Weldon of Mr. Robinson in regard to a modified design.

Respectfully, William Williams Commissioner VL

__//**Letter Six:**//__ Volume Twenty, Pages 972-974, #19916 April 30, 1904 Board of Trustees or Managers, Austro-Hungarian Home, 14 Greenwich St., New York City

Sirs, The Secretary of Commerce and Labor has referred to us your appeal from my decision, approved by the Bureau, excluding your representative from admission to Ellis Island, for such action as I may think proper, and he has directed as to communicate with you on this subject. In my letter of December 3rd, 1903, I stated that

"Until such time as the Government can be satisfied that this Home is managed exclusively in the interests of the immigrants, its right to representation at Ellis Island is withdrawn."

Before such representation will again be allowed, I require, in view of past occurrences, that all persons connected with the Home who are given any discretion in its management and all of its Trustees sign a statement covering the following matters: Respectfully, William Williams Commissioner
 * 1)  That any building used by the Home will be put in a sanitary condition. A certificate by the Health Department of the City of New York that this is the case must be submitted.
 * 2)  All immigrants' quarters will be kept clean and well ventilated.
 * 3)  There must not be hereafter just cause for complaints as to the retention of money by the officials or employees of the Home from immigrants entitled to receive the same, nor shall any just grounds hereafter be given for complaints similar to those already made in this case.
 * 4)  Immigrants must not be unduly solicited by officials or employees of the Home to purchase articles, and such immigrants and their friends must always receive courteous treatment, with special care that their legal rights be fully observed and that no incorrect information as to such rights and duties be given to them.
 * 5)  That immigrants turned over to the Home for delivery to their relatives or friends will be so delivered at the earliest practicable moment.
 * 6)  That the officials of the Home will make every effort to locate at once friends and relatives of immigrants who may have been discharged to its care.
 * 7)  That neither immigrants not their relatives or friends will be informed that such immigrants have been turned over to the Home for one year or any other stated period unless the Commissioner has specifically designated in writing a period during which they should remain at the Home.
 * 8)  That all charges to be made to immigrants will be plainly posted and a copy thereof sent to the Commissioner, and that no other charges will be made without his approval.
 * 9)  That upon request of the Commissioner the Home will receive and assist for a reasonable period such Austrians and Hungarians as may have fallen into distress and may require relief which the Government is unable to give.
 * 10)  That the Home will use its best endeavors to furnish proper and fitting employment through good and proper channels to immigrants seeking employment, using such means as shall best serve their interests.
 * 11)  That the Home will cease to employ directly or indirectly in any capacity its present Manager, Mr. Trauneck (sp?).
 * 12)  That the Home will be at all times open to the inspection of any Government official duly authorized by the Commissioner, the Commissioner-General of Immigration or the Secretary of Commerce and Labor.

__//**Letter Seven:**//__ Volume Twenty Two, Pages 454-455, #22565 May 23, 1904 Father Joseph Kominek, Chaplain St. Joseph's Home 18 Greenwich St., New York City

Sir: This is in reply to your letter of May 17, 1904 in reference to certain charges involving the management of the Polish Home made by Albert Pengell, the representative of the Home at Ellis Island. A copy of these charges was on May 11 forwarded by me to Archbishop Farley and a reply was received May 18, 1904. As this reply is general and does not answer certain specific charges against yourself, I have decided to submit them to you and to request from you an answer as to each of them. Pengell made the following charges.

(1) That your orders to him were to select well-to-do immigrants amongst those already admitted in preference to such immigrants as the Board of Special Inquiry desired to discharge to him. (2) That immigrants are over charged for board and sometimes compelled to pay board when they are not able to do so. An instance of this kind is said to have occurred in February, 1904. An immigrant discharged to your Home received while there $7 from friends. It is stated that you compelled him to pay $5 for his board which, with the sum he was obliged to pay for wearing apparel, left him only 65 cents, hardly sufficient money with which to purchase food on his journey to his destination. Another instance was that of the alien Joseph Mizwinski who arrived on the steamship "St. Paul". [sic] He went to the Polish Home on April 20 and left there on the 22nd and was obliged to pay $2 for his board, although not more than 36 hours at your home. (3) That on or about March 29, 1904 several immigrants who were in your charge were sent to the employment agency of Charles Holzhausen, 443 West 13th St., where they were compelled to spend the night and while there one of them was robbed of $9. If this is true please state what measures were taken to recover this money. (4) That you send immigrants who have been discharged in your care to Conried Liebert of 28 Greenwich Street and that you have in some instances asked for and accepted money for such immigrants.

In your letter of May 17 you state that there is a suspicion that your agent, Pengell, takes money from the immigrants. You also state him to be a liar. If this man is such a person as you charge, I am unwilling that he should represent the Home at Ellis Island.

Respectfully, William Williams Commissioner JAM

__//**Letter Eight:**//__ Volume Twenty Six, Pages 33 & 34, #22565 August 1, 1904 Rev. John H. Strzelecki 109 E. 7th St., New York City

Sir:

I beg to report to you that the conduct of a person representing himself as connected with the Polish Home is such as to render it inadvisable that he be permitted to come to Ellis Island. In July last this person, who goes by the name Father Roncycek (sp?), though he informs me that he is not an ordained priest, made a written statement to the Commissioner charging Mr. Julius Stierheim, an interpreter at this station, of having robbed him of $105 and asking that he be given an opportunity to be heard in connection therewith. I have investigated this matter thoroughly and after hearing Mr. Roncycek, Mr. Stierheim and certain other officials who were connected by Mr. Roncycek with this matter, I have dismissed the charges as groundless. In the course of this investigation it developed that Mr. Roncycek endeavored to induce the immigration officials to make false sworn statements as to their connection with the matter. This Mr. Roncycek has admitted. He also admitted that he reported to the Ellis Island representative of the Polish Home, Mr. Uznalewicz, that he lost only from $15 to $20 and not as stated, $105. Mr. Roncycek, after having admittedly made several false statements, at last stated that he wished to withdraw the charge he had made against Mr. Stierheim, saying he did not believe Mr. Stierheim had committed the theft in question. The character of this man, as disclosed by his own admissions and testimony, are such as to render it impossible to permit him further to come to Ellis Island, and I doubt whether you will wish to have him connected any longer with your Home. Your agent, Mr. Uznalewicz, stated that he did not consider Mr. Roncycek's conduct to be that of an honorable man. I will be glad to hear from you in regard to the above.

Respectfully, William Williams Commissioner R