Fraternity-Testvériség, 1964 (42. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1964-03-01 / 3. szám

F RAT ERN ITY

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED FEDERATION OF AMERICA Edited by the Officers of the Federation

Published monthly. — Subscription for non-members in the U. S. A. and Canada $2.00, elsewhere $3.00 a year.

Office of Publication: Expert Printing Co., 4627 Irvine St., Pittsburgh 7, Pa. Editorial Office: 3216 New Mexico Avenue, N. W., Washington, D. C. 20016

Volume XLII MARCH 1964 Number 3

THE PLOT AGAINST ELLIS ISLAND

It almost seems as if there were a secret cabal plotting against a relevant and rational use of Ellis Island.

Ever since its abandonment as an immigration reception station in 1954 it has lain idle, its buildings deteriorating, its acreage unused.

A spate of suggestions for its disposition have been advanced — a recreation park, a housing development, a hospital for narcotic addicts, educational institutions of various sorts.

Only one has made real sense, advanced by ACNS Board Chairman Edward Corsi and endorsed by Mayor Wagner of New York — a memorial to the millions of immigrants who passed through its gates into America they so largely helped to build.

But the federal government appears not to want to undertake such a project — or any project — itself and the states of New York and New Jersey are being sounded to see what they might be willing to do.

Meanwhile a “Museum of Immigration” is being started at the base of the Statue of Liberty, in what this editor believes to be the wrong place, and with a vague and static plan of operation and exhibitions.

What’s wrong with Ellis Island? It’s the logical place for a living and dynamic memorial of a vital part of our history, commemorating the immigrants of yesterday who made us great, and saluting those of today and tomorrow who will bring us welcome strength in the future.