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Theodore Roosevelt writes to Commissioner William Williams about the racial designations on the back of the blank immigration forms he sent. He wonders why immigrants from Cuba and the West Indies are designated as separate races and compares it to the way Russia classifies its immigrants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-07
Two newspaper articles describe a seder service held at Ellis Island for ninety detained Russian Jewish immigrants. The supplies and cost for the religious service were paid for by the private catering company that held the Ellis Island contract.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04
President Roosevelt believes that the effort to restrict immigration will be good for the country, although it could be politically harmful. Roosevelt spoke with several priests who support restrictions as they are having a difficult time keeping so many Catholic immigrants active in the Church. He is concerned about Representative Gardner’s fight with Mr. Schofield and surprised at Samuel Gompers’s attitude towards eight hour restrictions at the Panama Canal Zone.
1906-09-04
Terence Vincent Powderly has lodged a protest but there may be an effort to follow through on the plan. He does not believe a “babel of religions as well as tongues” should be located at a government station for immigrants.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-27