Edison Sheds Light On The Immigrant
The article "Edison Sheds Light on the Immigrant" from October 1914 discusses Thomas Edison's efforts to document the immigrant experience at Ellis Island using motion pictures. It highlights the use of new technology to capture the lives of immigrants as they went through processing, providing a visual record of their journey and the conditions they faced.
Immigrans Walking Across Pier from Bridge at Ellis Island circa 1910. National Photo Company. Library of Congress LCCN 91482188. GGA Image ID # 2193cd6a94
New York is the chief port of entry for immigrant aliens coming to this country. Seventy percent of the 1,197,892 foreigners who entered the United States last year were examined at Ellis Island. Of the 892,653 admitted, 330,53' were bound to points in New York State. Many of these went as far as New York City. They left Ellis Island by ferry, landed at the Barge Office in Battery Park, and, either escorted by friends or directed by professional guides, proceeded to their various destinations to be absorbed in the heterogeneous population of the Metropolis.
During the past ninety-four years (the records began in 1820), immigration to this country has reached an amazing total of 30,808,944 persons. This, however, does not include those who tried to enter but were debarred. No less than 189,070 have been returned to their own lands since 1892, a period that has seen 4,837,282 aliens admitted.
They come to this country clad in their old-world costumes—Greek soldier in his pleated kilts, Dutch kinder, clodhoppers and all—women with their flashy colors —Cossack in astrakhan cap and girdled cloak—patriarchal Hebrew and the scrappy son of Erin. This diverse mix of people, all intermingled, await the word to decide whether they are to become toilers in the New World.
The immigrant and the scenes incidental to his admission are said to be picturesque—picturesque, that is, to the onlooker. The immigrant himself, overcome by doubt and uncertainty, finds little to admire in his surroundings, while to those associated with the work, the kaleidoscopic scene has long since lost its powers of fascination.
Before he is permitted to come into this country, the immigrant goes through the hands of several officials during the government's inspection. He is examined physically, and his mental, financial, and social conditions are ascertained. To other officials, he gives the names of friends who are to be told of his arrival, and sometimes his case requires special inquiry, and he passes before an official board.
During all this, there is little time to explain the meaning of it all to him. With anywhere from one thousand to five thousand "cases" daily, the officials find little opportunity to tell each the why and wherefore. Even the interpreters cannot do much more than call the instructions by which groups are herded from place to place.
It is a small wonder that the immigrant is in great bewilderment when he has finally satisfied the officials regarding his qualifications as a potential citizen. It is hardly to be thought that he understands what it has all been about—the most vivid impression his mind has received is that of buttons and badges; he has learned one thing—he must respect the authority of the badge, and just here it may be said that this is the reason he is such ready prey for the first badge-wearing hackman who greets him on landing from the Ellis Island ferry.
Until as recently as two years ago, the "graft" at the Barge Office in Battery Park offered rich picking for hackmen, guides, and porters who, for consideration, agreed to deliver the newcomer and his baggage at his city destination. It was the boast of Barney Goldman, who has since abandoned the field, that a hundred dollars a week was poor business—he claims to have taken in as much as a thousand in a good week.
The methods were simple enough. Hacks and baggage wagons were backed to the curb opposite the ferry landing, the badge wearers hailed the crowds as they flocked off the boat, and business was always brisk since the immigrant has a weakness for cabs.
A cab trip to the Bronx was less astounding than the amount charged and collected. As for leaving their clients at the wrong address or stranded on a corner, there was nothing simpler.
When times were pressing, and business was slack, these guides would call for an immigrant they had already delivered and, on the plea that there was some error, start back with him for Ellis Island—and for this, they collected another fee. Indeed, it was an easy graft, made easier by the fact that there was little trouble in procuring one of the various licenses and the badge that permitted the wearer to solicit business among the newcomers.
However, times are changing. Barney and most of his contemporaries have disappeared, and those who are left are encountering a form of competition that is slowly but surely driving them out of business. There are now about six of these exploiters; two years ago, there were sixty. This shift signals a positive change in the treatment of immigrants.
This was accomplished through the work of the North American Civic League for Immigrants, which, in October 1910, established the Immigrant Guide and Transfer. The Guide and Transfer, which, as its name implies, guides immigrants to their destinations in New York City, is a sub-organization of the North American Civic League. Its purpose is to guide newcomers, rendering good service at the lowest possible cost. This initiative provides hope and support to the immigrants.
Its highest fee is a dollar. For a quarter, an immigrant and his baggage are taken to any point south of Chambers Street. The dollar takes him to the Bronx or even the remote parts of Queens.
After the New York-destined immigrant has given the Government officials at Ellis Island satisfactory proof that he is worthy of being admitted to the country, he leaves the Administration building for the ferry house. Before he reaches the waiting room, he passes the agent for the guide and transfer. This man speaks the foreigner's language — that is, he speaks twenty-two languages, and few aliens may not be addressed in one of these tongues.
The agent explained the work, and if the immigrant wanted to get a guide service, he bought a ticket and went to the boat. On the New York side, the ticket holders are sorted into groups according to their destination. Then, under the direction of two guides, they start at once. Two guides are necessary, for the society is responsible for those in its charge, and it is sometimes challenging to manage a. party of a. dozen or more in the crowds among the tenements. The ticket that the immigrant holds serves a double purpose. His friends sign it 8.s a receipt when he reaches them.
It sometimes happens that immigrants have addresses in New York that are either fictitious or wrong. If they have no bona fide address, the guide takes them to one of the missionary homes or to a lodging house of their nationality. Then, if they are seeking work, they are taken to the labor bureau in the Barge Office, where records of industrial opportunities in all parts of the country are kept.
During 1911-12, 39,892 persons were taken to various parts of New York by these guides; in 1912—13, 51,730 strangers were similarly aided. Of this work, Commissioner of Immigration William Williams said in his 19'3 report: "Happily most of the 'guides' and 'runners' who used to waylay the immigrant at the Barge Office have been driven to cover, and this is due in part to the establishment by the North American Civic League for Immigrants of its excellent guide and transfer system."
The Ferry-Boat Ellis Island plying between the Immigrant Station at Ellis Island and the Barge Office at Battery Park. All Foreigners Destined for New York Come over on this Boat. Those Bound for Points beyond New York are taken directly to the Railroad Terminals in Barges.
In the barge office, groups of immigrants are made up, awaiting the services of guides. The Barge Office in Battery Park Houses, in addition to its Immigration Quarters, Several Branches of the Federal Service, among them the Bureau of Animal Industry, the Civil Service Examination Rooms, the Recreation Rooms of the Customs Inspectors, as well as the Offices of the Ship News Reporters. The Building Receives its Electric Current from The New York Edison Company.
"Edison Sheds Light On The Immigrant," in The Edison Monthly, Volume VIII, No. 5, October 1914.
Conclusion: Edison's project was a pioneering effort to use film as a means of storytelling and documentation, offering a new perspective on the immigrant experience at Ellis Island.
Key Points:
- 🎥 Use of Motion Pictures: Edison used film to document the immigrant experience.
- 🛂 Ellis Island Focus: The project concentrated on the processing procedures at Ellis Island.
- 🌍 Immigrant Diversity: Highlighted the diverse backgrounds of immigrants.
- 📜 Historical Documentation: Created a visual record of early 20th-century immigration.
- 🔍 Innovative Technology: Demonstrated the potential of film as a medium for education and awareness.
Summary:
- Overview: Edison's use of motion pictures aimed to document the immigrant experience at Ellis Island.
- Focus on Procedures: The films captured the detailed processes immigrants underwent.
- Technological Innovation: The project showcased the use of new technology in capturing historical events.
- Diverse Experiences: The films highlighted the diverse origins of the immigrants.
- Lasting Impact: Edison's work provided an important visual record of this era in American history.
