Frederic C. Howe’s Reforms at Ellis Island: Humanizing the Immigrant Experience (1914-1916)
📌 Explore Frederic C. Howe’s transformative work at Ellis Island from 1914-1916. Learn how his reforms improved immigrant welfare, reduced exploitation, and humanized the immigration process, ensuring dignity for newcomers.
Improvements At Ellis Island Inaugurated By Frederic C. Howe (1914-1916)
Relevance to Immigration Studies
The article "Improvements At Ellis Island Inaugurated By Frederic C. Howe (1914-1916)" is a critical read for anyone studying the history of immigration to the United States, particularly through the lens of Ellis Island.
This article is particularly useful for teachers, students, historians, genealogists, and those interested in immigration policy as it highlights key reforms introduced by Frederic C. Howe during his tenure as Commissioner of Immigration at the Port of New York.
Howe’s work at Ellis Island represents a turning point in how the United States managed immigration, emphasizing a more humane approach to the treatment of immigrants while addressing various systemic abuses in the process.
Mr. Frederic C. Howe is the Director of the People’s Institute of New York, Where He Recently Succeeded the Late Charles Sprague Smith in Providing Popular Education in Political and Social Skills and a Forum Fok Discussing These Subsects. Mr. Frederic C. Howe was later appointed as the Commissioner of Immigration at the Port of New York. The World's Work, July 1912. GGA Image ID # 21941f09d1
The industrial relations between millions of American citizens and workers began at Ellis Island. This is New York's great port of entry for immigrants. Through that gateway, the greatest number of men, women, and children from Europe who have peopled this great republic were poured, tilled its fields, opened its mines, established its factories and made them productive, made its laws, elected its public servants, and created a nation distinctive and significant in its achievements and more distinctive and remarkable in its promises.
To have a charge at this gateway, safeguard the rights of the people already here, and safeguard in equal measure the rights and interests of the new workers and citizens and their families, President Wilson appointed Frederic C. Howe. One of those appointments, like the appointment of Louis D. Brandeis to the Supreme Court, was hailed everywhere among the plain people as a pledge that the administration intended a government of the right kind of men to carry on a government of the proper land of laws.
Among all informed and forward-looking people, and especially among the producers and toilers, many of whom had passed through Ellis Island and knew from experience what was wrong with it and what should be made right with it, Mr. Howe's appointment gave the chiefest satisfaction.
The finest and greatest proof that in his place of trust at Ellis Island, Frederic C. Howe vindicated and upheld the national and international reputation he had earned as a writer of fundamental democracy and as an official and unofficial servant in action of the public has been given lately by a member of Congress. named W. S. Bennet, of New York.
This Congressman was irresponsible because he was privileged to make the most unfounded accusations against any public or private citizen without any responsibility in a court of law or any other tribunal for his statements. This Congressman exercised this privilege against a public official, who did not have the privileges of the floor of Congress, as the result of the action of Commissioner Howe in having advised that the government should not continue a contract with a firm of former clients of the Congressman for feeding the immigrant men, women and children confided to the government's care.
Mr. Howe's recommendations were that the contract, which involves the expenditure of one-half million dollars a year during normal immigration and is very profitable, should not be renewed and that the authorities at Ellis Island should purchase the food and prepare and supply it to the immigrants at cost.
For this, Mr. Howe was assailed. Unfounded rumors of "immorality" among the thousands of men and women of all nationalities who are detained on the island were misstated as facts. That they were misstated was proved by investigations begun at once by the Committee on Immigration of the House of Representatives, cooperated with by Mr. Howe himself and the Department of Labor.
The report of Secretary Wilson and Solicitor Densmore, adopted unanimously by the committee of Congress after inquiry, proved that a notable condition of moral cleanliness prevailed when it was considered that the exigencies of the European war and the impossibility of deporting many of the undesirables had crowded the island's grounds, hospitals, and detention rooms far beyond any provision that had been made for ordinary or foreseen occasions.
The acts of kindness, humanity, and necessary common sense in the emergency Mr. Howe had done. And which had been approved by the Secretary of Labor were misrepresented in themselves and distorted from the surrounding facts and conditions which inspired or compelled them.
No public servant who "steps on the toes" of takers of profit where there should be no profit, no official who takes seriously the law's mandate to safeguard the weak and oppressed who are in his care; no man in public or private life who has stopped exploitation by the greed of the poor and unsophisticated immigrants. as Commissioner Howe has stopped it, could escape such an attack.
From this attack, Commissioner Howe emerges not only completely vindicated. but with this statement the Secretary of Labor made to Congress concerning the things he had done:
"Commissioner Howe has effected the following substantial achievements in the efficient administration of the station:
- Commissioner Howe, in a move that reassured the public about the responsible use of resources, conducted A thorough investigation with experts into the allegedly self-sustaining hospitals. The findings revealed a significant annual loss of over $100,000, which the government was covering for the benefit of the steamship companies. He successfully negotiated increased hospital charges to the steamship companies, thereby boosting the hospitals' earnings by approximately $100,000.
- Commissioner Howe's commitment to financial prudence is evident in his reduction of requests for permanent appropriations. Following a thorough reinvestigation, he slashed such requests by $300,000 in 1915, a significant cost-saving measure.
- In response to war conditions, Commissioner Howe implemented measures that significantly reduced the operating salary costs of the Ellis Island station by approximately $ 100,000 a year. This move instilled confidence in the public about the station's efficiency and adaptability.
- "He investigated the many immigration lodging houses and homes in New York and brought about a clean-up in several of them.
- Commissioner Howe, in a bid to enhance the security of incoming immigrants, secured the cooperation of the commissioner of police. This collaboration led to the clean-up of the conditions surrounding the barge office, thereby protecting the incoming immigrants in New York from the individuals who had previously preyed upon them. This achievement instilled a sense of security and trust in the public.
- "He investigated and brought about many reforms in protecting the aliens en route from Ellis Island, both at Jersey City and along the route.
- "He organized all of the employees at the station into an association to make the wants of the employees known and to secure the cooperation of all the employees in the administration of the station.
- "He brought about a reorganization of purchasing supplies for the hospitals, which resulted in significant savings and improvements in the service.
- "He investigated the conditions under which landing of first and second cabin aliens was made at the various piers around New York and ended many abuses and losses to which the aliens were exposed.
- "He brought about a change in the inspection of first and second cabin aliens on shipboard, significantly improving the service.
- "He conducted several studies at the department's request to increase efficiency and the rating of the employees.
- "He significantly increased the output of the Division of Statistics and completely changed the filing system.
- "He worked in cooperation with the Board of Education of New York to open the night schools for the education of adult aliens.
- "He organized several agencies looking to protect aliens in New York.
- "He organized a movement in 1916 for Americanization Day celebrations over 100 cities held citizenship celebrations throughout the country due to the commissioner's efforts.
- "During the past two years, Ellis Island has been almost free from the constant criticism on the part of foreign organizations and of the foreign press, which before his administration was continuous. It was directed at the alleged lack of kindness and consideration to incoming aliens. The non-foreign media of New York has been almost continuously approving his administration and the many changes and improvements he has brought about.
"I remain very respectfully yours,
"W. WILSON,
"Secretary of Labor."
When one considers that the very first "industrial relations" with which the immigrants come in contact are the industrious activities of big and small interests to take their money away from them, it is easier to estimate the fine quality of public service that Frederic C. Howe has given. He has served the immigrants. He has added to the distinction of the present government administration.
He has made the property rights within his jurisdiction align with human rights. He has served constructive democracy. He has advanced the ideal of a public service that holds an even hand for fair play and honesty.
"Humanizing:" Ellis Island
New Spirit Injected into Immigration Service by Bro. Frederic C. Howe
Frederic C. Howe (Allegheny & Hopkins), the new commissioner of immigration at the port of New York, has set out to change some of the old traditions at Ellis Island and make it a comfortable place for detained newcomers to wait.
Already, he has introduced a new spirit to the island. Clerks, attendants, and matrons tell the visitor that the commissioner is "humanizing" the place, according to a newspaper report by Miss Chamberlain of the Sage Survey.
Formerly, husbands were shut up in one room, wives in another. Now, a door is being broken through a wall, and adjoining rooms will be created where men and women may mingle. Women may now buy cheap sewing materials, foreign newspapers with lots of funny pictures are distributed, and toys for children are available. Out on the piazza, swings have been placed, and there are more games.
On Sunday afternoons, there is a band concert of national airs and familiar songs. Soon, Mr. Howe hopes to add folk dancing to the music of a Victrola.
Arrangements have been made whereby the school board will supply teachers for a school for detained children and classes for adults. Commissioner Howe has made little change in the sleeping and boarding accommodations, which he considers not bad, but his reforms have been along the lines of social innovations.
Outdoors, the lawn has been transformed into a playground for the children, with a teacher to direct it and plenty of benches for the elders to spend their hours in the open air.
Commissioner Howe has a big advantage over other commissioners. The great falloff of immigration due to the war gives him much leisure for his improvements. Only 20,000 immigrants came during September, against 100,000 a year ago.
There are only 200 persons detained, as against the usual 2,000. Brother Howe has long been a student of conditions abroad and a social expert, and it is questionable if few men are better trained than he for the position. At the start, he has already made promises of a bright future for this branch of government service—in New York, at any rate.
Bibliography
"Humanizing Ellis Island: New Spirit Injected into Immigration Service by Br. Frederic C. Howe, The Phi Gamma Delta of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, Vol. XXXVII, No. 3, December 1914, p. 235.
Dante Barton, "Many Substantial Improvements Inaugurated by Frederic C. Howe, The Leather Workers' Journal. Official Publication of the International United Brotherhood of Leather Workers on Horse Goods. Vol. XIX, No. 2, October 1916, p. 51-52.
Key Highlights and Engaging Content
📌 Frederic C. Howe’s Approach to Reform: The article provides an in-depth look at Frederic C. Howe’s leadership, emphasizing his commitment to improving the conditions at Ellis Island, which was often criticized for its overcrowding, lack of compassion, and exploitation of immigrants.
Howe’s reforms included improving medical care, enhancing security, and reducing opportunities for exploitation by corrupt individuals. For instance, he oversaw a reduction in hospital costs and ensured that the steamship companies paid more for the care of their passengers.
📌 Humanization of Ellis Island: Howe's most notable achievement was humanizing the experience for immigrants. The article details his efforts to transform Ellis Island from a bureaucratic detention center into a place that reflected compassion and dignity.
Some of his improvements included breaking down physical barriers to allow families to be together, creating recreational spaces, and introducing social amenities like toy distribution for children, swings, and even national music concerts. These efforts were designed to provide some comfort to the detained immigrants, easing the emotional toll of their long waits.
📌 Elimination of Exploitation and Corruption: Howe’s tenure also marked significant progress in addressing the corruption and exploitation of immigrants by unscrupulous individuals who preyed upon their vulnerability.
For example, he successfully eliminated the practices of "runners" and other exploitative agents who would charge immigrants exorbitant fees for services such as arranging transportation or housing. His focus on justice and fairness aimed to prevent these abuses, restoring trust in the system.
📌 Impact of Howe’s Work: Howe’s work also involved addressing overcrowding and improving the overall functioning of Ellis Island. His efforts included the reorganization of medical services, reducing unnecessary spending, and improving the efficiency of the immigration processing system.
These reforms not only benefited the immigrants but also ensured that Ellis Island operated more efficiently, with a reduction in the financial burden on the U.S. government.
📌 Widespread Praise and Vindication: The article also underscores the public support Howe received, particularly after an unjust attack from Congressman W. S. Bennet. The successful investigations and eventual vindication of Howe’s actions demonstrate his integrity and dedication to the principles of fairness and justice.
His work made Ellis Island a place where immigrants were treated with respect, and where policies were guided by the principles of democracy and human rights.
📸 Noteworthy Images
📌 Mr. Frederic C. Howe: A portrait of Howe, who served as a pivotal figure in shaping Ellis Island's reform, highlights his professional demeanor and the responsibility he carried in transforming the institution. His leadership is emphasized throughout the article, showcasing his commitment to improving conditions for immigrants.
📌 Mrs. Gould, Lieutenant Murray, and Staff on Stage at Ellis Island: This image adds a personal touch, showing the collaborative nature of the efforts to improve Ellis Island, involving both administrative leaders and staff. The presence of public figures such as Mrs. Gould and Lieutenant Murray underscores the importance of these reforms to the broader community.
📌 The Humanized Ellis Island: Descriptions of the social innovations like the swings and playgrounds for children, along with Sunday concerts and educational initiatives, illustrate the cultural shift at Ellis Island during Howe’s leadership. These improvements made the island more than just a processing center; it became a place of community and care.
Educational and Historical Insights
This article is invaluable for those studying immigration history, particularly early 20th-century reforms. Howe’s reforms at Ellis Island are a significant chapter in the history of U.S. immigration, showing how policies evolved from a focus on bureaucratic efficiency to an emphasis on human dignity and rights.
The article provides readers with a nuanced understanding of immigration policy and the role of government officials in shaping immigrant experiences. Howe’s work is a reminder that immigration is not just about entry and paperwork but about ensuring the well-being and fair treatment of individuals as they embark on new lives in a foreign land.
The article also provides historical context for understanding the political environment of the time, including the criticism of Howe and his eventual vindication, which reveals the challenges faced by reformers within the government. It highlights the struggles of immigrant advocacy, especially when political and economic interests clashed with humanitarian goals.
Final Thoughts
The article is a comprehensive and detailed account of how Frederic C. Howe’s leadership at Ellis Island led to the humanization of immigration services and improved conditions for detained immigrants.
For anyone studying immigration history or public administration, Howe’s reforms offer a critical example of how public policy can balance efficiency with compassion. His tenure at Ellis Island was marked by tangible changes that made a lasting impact on the immigrant experience in America.
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