CHRONIC DIRT.

Shannon News, 6 November 1923, Page 3

CHRONIC DIRT.

AMERICA’S CLEARING HOUSE.'

MELBOURNE, Oct. 16. Tlie report on Ellis Island 'by the British Ambassador at Washington Sir Auckland Geddes) has been re- # ceived by the Home and Territories Department. An officer of the department, described it as the roughest thing he had ever read. The conditions of buildings, the mixing of immigrants of all nationalities, classes, and degrees of cleanliness, and the prison-like control of the station, all came in for criticism by Sir Auckland Geddes,. '“I noticed, in many corners,” he say, “impacted greasy dirt which h>m been there for many days, if not weeks or months.’ 5 As a/ result of the presence , of chronicUirt the buildings are pervaded by a stale smell. “Th|is ’is quite distinct from the pungent: odour of unwashed humanity, and both are to be. met at, Ellis Island. " “After leaving the island it took me 36 hours, to get rid of the aroriia which flavoured everything I ate 0; drank.”

The immigrants sleep in the tintiered bunks encaged to prevent thefts, and even more unpleasant outrages, some of the blankets are used by more, than one immigrant between sterilisation. Good, well-cooked food is served in the. cleanest room in the buildings. When the nieals begin it is impossible, .however, for ..any staff to keep it clean, owing to what may be incorrectly described as. the table manners of guests, who, incidentally, use the floor as a universal slop bowl, and refuse • can. An essential problem is, in fact, the differing. standards, of personal cleanliness of the immigrants, who range from highly educated and well nurtured, now fallen into straitened circumstances, to utterly brutalised.

Detention on Ellis Island must be a hateful experience for all Of any sensibility. For medical inspection men have to strip in crowds,, piling their clothes higgledy-piggledy, and doctors, do not change or wash their rubber gloves between examinations. Ellis Island is regarded as too small, the buildings being dilapidated. Sanitary arrangements are unsuitable, end the grounds insufficient to prevent nauseating contact between immigrants. The Ambassador reported in complimentary terms. of the efficiency of the staff, but made 'recommendations for the improvement of the station, and official architects are now considering the question.