Deadly Conditions at the Ellis Island Holding Area for Deportees
One hundred years ago today … In a story that echoes familiarly in our time, The Evening World reported that conditions at the Ellis Island holding area for political prisoners were so unsanitary that six detainees had died before their deportation hearings.
The Evening World January 24, 1920, p. 4. Library of Congress.
This was according to Rose Weiss, described as “associated with” the law offices of Charles Recht. Other press mentions of her from 1920 identify her as an attorney. The January 16th Times reported that Weiss, Recht, and their associate Harry Weinberger represented “hundreds” of Palmer Raid victims. Neither newspaper names the detainees.
Of the three lawyers, Weinberger seems to have had the most colorful and celebrated career, starting with high-profile political cases during World War I, including Mexican anarchist Ricardo Magon Flores. In January, 1920, he had recently represented Emma Goldman in her deportation case. The two were photographed together years later:
Harry Weinberger and Emma Goldman in 1928. Photo from Candace Falk, Love and Anarchy & Emma Goldman, courtesy of the “Cartoliste” website.
Weinberger became involved in New York’s theater world and in 1923 would produce the controversial God of Vengeance written by Sholem Asch. Shortly after it opened he and the entire cast were indicted for obscenity but Weinberger got them off.