History Based on Immigration Documents
December 18, 1929  Doc # 133/48-49
December 10, 1929, received Dec 11, 1929  Doc 133/49
Office Chinese Inspector, NY City  May 1, 1916
NY May 2, 1916 NY University

Based on Immigration Documents

• ~1860 – Grandfather  Tom Mon Kip (Hom Mon Kip) born had brother (Tom Mun Gin) who died in Philly. Worked at Yee Hing Company, retired ~ 1910
• ~1866 – Wong She born (Grandmother)
•  June 1891 – Tom Yuen Fay born
• 1891-1897 – Tom Mon Kip comes to US sometime during this period
• 1897 – Tom Yuen Fay and Wong She come to US to join Mon Kip
• 1898? – Tom Gwen Hung born, died at 17
• 1899 -- Tom Lon Hung (Mrs. Chin Wing Ark) born
• 1900 – Tom Yuen Jun born  (Unknown brother) (Went to China when 6 or 7 returned 1922
• 1902 -- Tom Ying Hung born
• June 1904 – Tom Dot Jung (Thom Jun Dock – born)
• 1915 – Tom Yuen Fay graduated Columbia
• 1916 – Tom Yuen Fay goes to China, gets married to Lum She in HK
• May 8, 1917 – Tom Yuen Fay returns to the US with Lum She
• 1917 – Tom Teu Fong born
• 1918 – Tom Lem Fong born
• May 8, 1917 –Tom Yuen Fay  return to US
• 1929 Ducky graduates from MIT with BS in mechanical engineering (locomotive)
• Dec 18, 1929 – Yuen Fay  and family apply for Immigration Return Permit
• 1930 – Yuen Fay goes to China

US Dept of Labor  December 18, 1929  Doc # 133/48-49

In the matter of: Tom Yuen Fay and Lum She (Mrs. Tom Yuen Fay). Applicants for an Immigration Return Permit

Marks Rosen --Inspector
Sam Goldstein --Stenographer
Louie Fong – Interpreter

Statement by Applicant – Tom Yuen Fay

Applicant presents Certificate of Identity No 25915 in the name of Tom Yuen Fay, age 25, occupation—student, showing admission as “Student returning #16157/2-23, SS “China” May 8, 1917, by Edward White, Immigration Official In Charge; photograph and physical marks thereon are in agreement with the applicant.

Applicant, being first duly sworn testifies as follows in English:
Q. What are your names?
A: Tom Yuen Fay is my given name, Tom Yuey Jung is my marriage name; no others.

Q: What is your age, occupation, and present address?
A: I am 38 years old; I am manager of the Nankin Restaurant 180 East 14th Street, NYC and I live at 511 W 138th Street Apt 27 NYC.

Q: Of what race are you and of what country are you a citizen?
A: I am of the Chinese race, a citizen of China

Q: Where were you born?
A: In the Woo Shing village, S.N.D. China

Q: Was that village ever known by any other name?
A: That village was also known as Woo Ben village.

Q: When, where, and how did you first come to the US?
A: I came here with my mother Wong She, when I was about 6 years old, we applied for admission at Malone, NY and we were admitted as the wife and son of Tom Mon Kip, a merchant.

Q: Where was your father a merchant at that time?
A: He was a merchant with the Yee Hing Company, 20 Pell St, NYC

Q: In what year were you and your mother admitted?
A: According to my age, it would be in 1897
Q: Since you claimed admission to this country in 1897, have you ever made any trips out of the US?
A: Yes, I made a trip to China in 1916 through the Port of San Francisco, and returned to this country through the same port in 1917, when I was admitted as a returning student.

(For record concerning trip, see SF file 16152/2-23)
Q: Did you return alone at that time?
A: No, I returned with my wife, Lum Shee; I was married on that trip and brought her back to this country with me and she applied for admission as my wife at SF.

(For record concerning Lum She, see SF file 16157/2-24)
Q: Have either you or your wife ever made any trips away from the country since her admission at the time you were returning to this country in 1917?
A: No

Q: Have you any papers or documents bearing on your admission, as you claim in 1897, via the Port of Malone?
A: No.

Q: Has your father or any other member of your family any papers or documents relating to your admission to this country in 1897?
A: My father may have, but I don’t know. I never spoke to him about it and therefore I don’t know of my own knowledge.

Q: Are you positive that you were 6 years old at the time that you first cam ehere?
A: Yes.

Q: In 1916, you stated that you were 4 years old when you first came here.
A: 6 years old is the correct age. That is, 6 years old in Chinese reckoning. I don’t see how I could have been 4 years old and how it got into the record, as I was born in 1891.

Q: Where was your father born?
A: He was born in China, but I do not know what village.

Q: Do you know when he first came to the US?
A:  He was in the US for some time before my mother and myself came here.

Q: Has either your father or your mother returned to China since you and your mother were first admitted to this country in 1897?
A: No, they have never been away from the US

Q: What have you been doing since you first came to the US?
A: At first when I came here I attended PS 23 at Bayard Street, NYC for a few years and was then transferred to PS-1 located n Henry St, NYC, then we moved to Brooklyn, NY and I attended PS-92; from there I went to Erasmus Hall High School, and after 4 years there, I went to Columbia, from which institution I graduated in 1915. I attended NYU for about a year.

Q: What courses did you take in Columbia and NY Universities?
A: In Columbia, I took the regular college courses and obtained the degree of B.A.  and at NY University, I took a special Commercial Course, including banking and finance.

Q: What did you do since you attended school in NY University?
A: I made a trip to China in 1916 and returned in 1917; first I was assistant manager and cashier in various restaurants for a period of years until 1926; during that time, I was also in the export and import business on the side, and also worked for the Chartered Bank of India on Wall Street selling exchange; then in 1926, I was employed by the Bank of Canton 200 Worth St, NYC as accountant and was with them until Feb 1929. While I was employed at that bank, I was also acting as manager at night at the Nankin Restaurant, 120 East 14th St, NYC.

Q: Are you still connected with the Bank of Canton?
A: No I left there in Feb 1929, from that time on, I have still kept my position as night manager of the Nanking Restaurant.

Q: Have you ever been connected with that restaurant at any other time in any other capacity than at nights as a manager?
A: No, I have never been employed in that restaurant in any other capacity except as manager and that only at nights.

Q: Is there a day manager there?
A: Yes

Q: What is his name?
A: Chin Wing Ark (Aunt Lonny’s husband)

Q: Is there an assistant manager in that restaurant?
A: There is an assistant manager there named Jim Eng

Q: When did you first become connected with that restaurant as night manager?
A: January 1, 1928

Q: And you are positive that you never performed any duties in that restaurant during the daytime?
A: from January 1, 1928 – yes.

Q: During what hours do you work in that restaurant as night manager?
A: From 6PM until closing time about 2AM

Q: What hours does Chin Wing Ark, the day manager work there?
A: He works from opening time == around 10:30 or 11AM until I relieve him at 6PM

Q: What are the hours of the assistant manager Jim Eng?
A: His hours are from 11AM until 2AM the next day.

Q: What are the duties of the day manager Chin Wing Ark, the assistant manager, Jim Eng, and yourself?
A: Chin Wing Ark and myself supervise the dining room – we both hire and discharge help – give orders to the help – order supplies and Chin Wing Ark signs the checks, but I do not. And Jim Eng acts as bookkeeper, taking charge of the books and acts as cashier; he does not hire and discharge any help, he is assistant manager although working on the books and acting as cashier.

Q: What interest have you in that restaurant?
A: I have $700 invested in that restaurant since October 1927.

Q: How many active partners and passive partners are there in that firm?
A: There are four active partners and 26 passive partners are there in that firm

Q: What are the names of the active partners, and the amount of interest that each has, together with their positions?
A: Chin Wing Ark, day manager, I think he has about $1000 interest, which he acquired some time before I became connected with the restaurant; myself, night manager with an interest of $700, which I bought from Leung Wy Kin in October 1927; Jim Eng assistant manager, bookkeeper and cashier, interest $700 acquired January 1929, and the other active partner is Lui Chung Po, the head steward of the kitchen; I think he has an interest of $1000 or over – I am not sure; he has been there long before I became connected with the restaurant.

Q: What is the total amount of capital invested in that firm?
A: $28,000

Q: What salaries have the four active partners received during the past year?
A: We all have been receiving $85/month for the past year, with the exception of Jim Eng who has received $80 per month for the past year.

Q: What amount of business has the firm been doing during the past year on an average?
A: $8000/month.

Q: Has the restaurant paid any dividends during the last past 12 months?
A: Yes, 10 %  which was declared about the latter part of 1928.

Q: What part of the premises does the restaurant occupy?
A: The entire floor – one flight up.

Q: Have you any lease on those premises>
A: Yes

Q: How large is the restaurant?
A: The restaurant is 45x 100 and we have about 75 tables?

Q: How much help do you employ?
A: We employ 7 waiters, steady and in the kitchen there are three chefs, one dishwasher, one pantryman, one assistant chef and one all-around man.

Q: Do you ever wait on tables there?
A: No.

Q: Do you ever wear a coat, apron or uniform of any description?
A: No

Q: What rent do you pay for the premises?
A: For the past year we have been paying $500/month.

Q: Do you carry any insurance?
A: Yes, we carry $10,000 fire insurance.

Q: Has the firm any checking account?
A: Yes, with the Corn Exchange Bank, Union Square Branch

Q: Does anyone sign checks other than Chin Wing Ark?
A: Jim Eng also signs checks.

Q: Did you ever sign checks?
A: No.

Q: If you are the manager there, how is it you never signed checks there?
A: Because I am the night manager and only work nights.

Q: During the past 12 months, have you devoted your entire time and attention to that restaurant in the capacity of night manager and not worked in any place except as an accountant days up to February of this year?
A: Yes, that is so.

Q: Who other than Chinese, can testify as to your being the night manager of this restaurant?
A: Mr. John Lyson and George Daggett.

Q: How do you know John Lyson?
A: Both of these men that I have named are friends of mine and come to the restaurant to eat.

Q: How often during the last past 12 months have both of those men called at your restaurant?
A: They drop in there once a week or once every two or three weeks ever since I have been working there January 1, 1928.

Q: Did you know either of these men before you first became connected with this restaurant in January 1928?
A: Mr. Daggett I have known since we moved to Brooklyn- since 1905 or 6; he lived right near where we did in the neighborhood, I became acquainted with Mr. Lyson through Mr. Daggett a couple of years before I became night manager of the restaurant.

Q: Do you employ an orchestra in the restaurant?
A: Yes, 5 pieces.

Q: Have you the salary and partnership books of the Nanking Restaurant here with you?
A: Yes.

(Produces partnership and salary boks which are examined by acting Interpreter Warren Wong who states that the salary books show that Chin Wing Ark, Tom Yuen Fay, Hui Chong Po have received $85/month for the year 1928, up to December, 1929 and that Ng Poon Jom (Jim Eng) received $80/month  for the corresponding period – the partnership book shows the four partners just listed and that Tom Yuen Fay acquired his interest of $700 by purchase from Leung Wy Kin on October 15, 1927. (Books returned to applicant.)

Q: It is desired that you present at this office a partnership list in duplicate showing the names, positions, amount of interest, and date when acquired of the active partners together with a listing of the inactive partners. Do you understand?
A: Yes

Q: Of what does your family consist?
A: I have a wife and two sons, no daughters.

Q: What is the name, age, and present whereabouts of your wife?
A: My wife’s name is Lum She, 31 years old, living with me at 511 West 138 St, NYC; she is going to China with me and is applying for an Immigration Return Permit.

Q: What is the names, ages, and present whereabouts of your two songs?
A: Tom Teu (Ten) Fong, age 12 in American reckoning and Tom Lem (Lam) Fong, age 11, both born in NYC and are with me here today. They are going to apply for return certificates as citizens.

(See NY file 132/251 covering Tom Ten Fong and NY file 132/252 covering Tom Lam Fong – applicants for Return Certificates as citizens.)

Q: Did you ever have any other children, either natural, adopted or any that died?
A: No, those are the only two I ever had.

Q: Were you ever married more than once?
A: No.

Q: Was your wife ever married more than once?
A: No.

Q: Are both of your parents living?
A: Yes.

Q: By what names is your father known?
A: Tom Mon Kip is his marriage name, Tom Dung Nuey given name; those are the only names I know for him.

Q: What is his age and present whereabouts?
A: He is about 68 or 69 and is retired and living at 69 Mott St Apt 2, NYC with my mother Wong She.

Q: Was your mother ever known by another name?
A: I always knew her as Wong She – I don’t know her maiden name.

Q: Did your father ever have any brothers or sisters?
A: He had a brother, no sister.

Q: What is the name, age and present whereabouts of that brother?
A: His name was Tom Mun Gin, marriage name, I don’t know his given name; he is now dead, having died in Philadelphia, PA. I don’t know where he is buried.

Q: On what boat did you and your mother first come to this country when you were admitted at Malone in 1897?
A: It was an Empress boat, but I don’t remember the name – we landed at Vancouver.

Q: Did anyone accompany you and your mother at that time?
A: There were not relatives who accompanied us, but a young man and girl came along with us. They were from the same village.

Q: What were their names and ages?
A: I don’t remember.

Q: You remembered when you were questioned at this office in 1922 what their names were.
A: I cannot remember their names now.

Q: Are you positive that they were not related to you in any way?
A: No they were not related.

Q: Do you know anything concerning their family history?
A: No

Q: Have you any brothers or sister?
A: Yes, I have three sisters, one of whom died, and two brothers, both living

Q: What are the names, ages and present whereabouts of those brothers and sister?
A: My sisters are Tom Lon Hung (now Mrs. Chin Wing Ark) 30 years old, and living at 511 W 138 St Apt 18, NYC; she is the wife of my partner, the manager.  Tom Ying Hung (now Mrs. Wong Git Shoo) 27 years old, and living in HK, China. My sister that died was Tom Gwen Hung, she was about 17 years old when she died at 520 W 122 Street, NYC. And my brothers are Tom Yuen Jun, given name, he is married, I don’t know his marriage name; 29 years old he is working in a restaurant in New Haven, CT, but I do not know the name and address, and my other brother is Tom Dot Jung 25 single, living with me; he is doing nothing having just graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Q: Where were these brothers and sisters born?
A: All born in the US

Q: Were any of your brothers and sisters ever in China?
A: Yes Tom Yuen Jun went to China when he was about 6 or 7 years old and returned to this country in 1922, having had a little trouble when he came in.

(For record, concerning Tom Yuen Jun (Hom Yuen Jun) see NY file 12/565 showing that he was denied admission and on appeal to the Bureau his exclusion was directed, whereupon habeas corpus proceedings were instituted and was subsequently landed by the US District Court for the Southern District of NY)

Q: Do you claim that all these brothers and sisters that you have mentioned are your blood brothers and sisters by the same mother and father as you?
A: Yes.

Q: Can you state what your father was doing in this country since you and your mother, Wong She were admitted in 1997?
A: He was first connected with the Yee Hing Company, 20 Pell st, NYC, for at least 20 years; since about 1917 he has not been actively connected with any business, but has various interests in different restaurants and firms in Chinatown, NYC.

Q: Upon what do you and your wife base your applications for Immigration Return Permit?
A: I base my application for an Immigration Return Permit upon the fact that I have been the manager of the Nankin Restaurant, NYC since January 1 1928, and my wife on my status as a merchant.

Q: Upon what do your two sons base their applications for Return Certificates as Citizens?
A: Because they were born in NYC.

Q: Through what port will you depart?
A: Seattle.

Q: What will be your address in China?
A: I don’t know yet.

Q: What will be your address in the US?
A: C/O my father Tom Mon Kip 65 Mott St Apt 2 NYC

Q: Who is the person represented by that photograph (Showing photograph attached to receipt for certificate of identity, purporting to be that of Tom Yuen Fay, contained in SF file 16157/2-23?
A: That is my photograph.

Q: Who is that person? (Showing photograph attached to receipt for certificate of identity purporting to be that of Lum Shee, and contained in SF file 16157/2-24_
A; That is my wife, Lum She

Q: Who are the persons represented by those photographs (showing photographs attached to identification affidavit dated June 24, 1922 purporting to be those of Hom Mun Kip, his wife, Wong She and alleged son Hom Yuen Jun
A: The first is my father Tom Mun Kip, the next is my mother Wong She and the next is my brother Tom Yuen Jun

Q: Who is the person represented by that photograph? (showing photograph attached to Form 430, dated December 10, 1929, purporting to be that of Tom Teu Fong, contained in NY file 132/251
A: Tom Teu (Ten) Fong

Q: Who is the person represented by that photograph (showing photograph attached to Form 430, dated December 10, 1929 purporting to be that of Tom Lem (Lam Fong and contained in NY file 132/252?
A: That is my other son, Tom Lam Fong

Q: Are there any changes, corrections or further statements you now desire to make?
A: No.

Q; Have you thoroughly understood my questions?
A: Yes.

At this point, Interpreter Louis Fong is employed.

Statement by Applicant Lum She (Mrs. Tom Yuen Fay)

Applicant presents Certificate of Identity No 25938 in the name of Lum Shee age 19 occupation – housewife, showing admission as “wife of student (parol) #16157/2-24, SS “China” May 8, 1917 issued at the Port of San Francisco May 17th 1917 by W. T. Boyce, Immigration Official in Charge, photograph and physical mark thereon is in agreement with applicant.

Applicant being first duly sworn, testifies as follows:
Q: what are your names?
A: Lum She, my maiden name is Lum Yuk Gee

Q: What Chinese dialect do you speak and understand?
A: Sun Ning Dialect (Interpreter qualified)

Q: What is your age, occupation and present address?
A: I am 31 years old, housewife, living with my husbankd at 511 W 138 St apt 27 NYC

Q: Of what race are you and of what country are you a citizen?
A: I am of the Chinese race, a citizen of China.

Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born in Canton, China, but my family lived in Ack Hoy market SND China.

Q: How many times have you been married?
A: Only once.

Q: When, where and to who have you been married?
A: I was married in HK in 1916 in the Doo Dai Church under the Christian custom to Tom Yuen Fay.

Q: When, where  and how were you first admitted to this country?
A: I was admitted at the Port of SF in 1917 as the wife of a student.

(For record of admission, see SF file 16157/2-24 which also contains photostatic copy of marriage certificate of this applicant.)

Q: Did you come alone at that time?
A: No, I came with my husbank, Tom Yuen Fay.

Q: Have you any children?
A: I have two sons, no daughters.

Q: What are the names, ages, and birthplaces of your two sons?
A: Tom Teu (Ten) Fong, age 13, and Tom Lem (Lam) Fong, age 11 both born in NYC.

Q: Did you ever have any other children, either natural, adopted or any that died?
A: No

Q: Are your two sons attending public school in this city?
A: Yes Teu Fong is attending school in the public school at 145th St and the other is attending public school on West 138th St NYC.

Q: What are your husband’s names, age, occupation, and present whereabouts?
A: Tom Yuen Fay is his given name, Tom Yuey Jong marriage name; 39 years old, Chinese reckoning, he is the manager of the Nankin Restaurant, 120 E 14th St, NYC

Q: Where was he born?
A: I have never been in that village – I don’t know – he was born in China.

Q: When, where and how did he first come to the US, if you know?
A: I believe he was admitted as the son of a merchant – he came here with his mother, I don’t know what year it was.

Q: Do you know if he came together with his mother and brothers or sisters at that time?
A: He just came with his mother, that is all.

Q: Have either you or he made any trips away from the US since you both came to this country in 1917?
A: No.

Q: Are your husband’s parents living?
A: Both are living.

Q: What are their names, ages and present whereabouts?
A: His father is Tom Mon Kip, marriage name, I don’t know his given name. I think he is 68 or 69 years old. And my husband’s mother is Wong She either 62 or 63, they are both living at 65 Mott St Apt 2, NYC

Q: Have either one of your husband’s parent sever returned to China since you were first admitted to this country in 1917?
A: No.

Q:What is your father in law doing at the present time?
A: He is an old man, he is doing nothing.

Q: What did he do when you first came to this country?
A: He was a member of the firm of Yee Hing Company 20 Pell St, NYC

Q: Has your husband any brothers or sisters?
A: He has two younger brothers and two sisters

Q: What are their names, ages, and present whereabouts?
A: Tom Yuen Jun given name, I don’t know his marriage name, age 29; he is somewhere in the US, but I don’t know where. Tom Dot Jung 25; he just graduated from a college in Boston and is living with us now. And my husband’s sisters are Tom Lon Hung, age 30, now Mrs. Chin Wing Ark, living in the same building with us, apt 18, and his other sister Tom Ying Hung, 27, married and now Mrs. Wong Git Shoo, now living in HK China.

Q: Did your husband ever have any other brothers or sisters either natural, adopted or any that died?
A: Yes he had a sister who died named Tom Gwen Hung; she died before I came here, I don’t know much about her.

Q: Where were all your husband’s brothers and sisters born?
A: They were all born in this country except my husband.

Q: How long has your husband been connected with the Nankin Restaurant as manager?
A: A little over a year. He was manager there for a number of years and then he went to work in the Canton Bank and he resigned from there to go back to the Nankin Restaurant as manager

Q: Have you ever visited that restaurant?
A: Yes.

Q: How many managers have they there?
A: Two.

Q: Does your husband work there during the day?
A: No, he is the night manager

Q: Is there any assistant manager to that restaurant?
A: There are two managers my husband and Chin Wing Ark and another one Ng Foon Jom who helps my husband and Chin Wing Ark.

Q: Do you know what interest your husband has in this restaurant?
A: I think he has $700 interest.

Q: What hours does your husband work in this restaurant?
A: He begins at 5PM in the afternoon and works to 1 or 1: 30 the next morning.

Q: Who is the manager there days?
A: Chin Wing Ark

Q: Is he the brother in law of your husband?
A: Yes

Q: How large is this restaurant?
A: It is a pretty good-sized restaurant – I don’t know  how many tables

Q: Do they have any orchestra there?
A: yes, they have an orchestra?

Q: Does your husband wait on table in that restaurant?
A: No

Q: Does he ever work in the kitchen there?
A: No.

Q: Have you ever seen him performing any laboring work of any kind in that restaurant?
A: No

Q: What salary does your husband receive for his work in that restaurant.
A: He never told me how much.

Q: Do you mean to say that he has been working in that restaurant as a night as a manager for over a year and you do not know how much salary he receives there?
A: He never told me

Q: What part of the building does that restaurant occupy?
A: Second floor.

Q: Upon what do you base your application for an Immigration Return Permit?
A: Because my Husband is a merchant and manager or the Nankin Restaurant, NYC

Q: Who is the person represented by that photograph (showing photograh attached to Receipt for Certificate of Identity purporting to be that of Tom Yuen Fay and contained in SF file 16157/2-23)
A: That is my husband Tom Yuen Fay

Q: Who is the person represented by that photograph (showing photograph attached to identification attached to receipt for certificate of identity purporting to be that of Lum Shee, contained in SF file 16157/2-24?
A: That is my photograph.

Q: Who are the persons represented by these photos (Showing photographs attached to identification affidavit dated June 24, 1922, purporting to be those of Hom Mon Kip, his wife, and alleged son Hom Yuen Jun, contained in NY file 12/565)
A: The first is my father in law Tom Mon Kip, the next is my mother in law Wong She, and the next is my brother in law, Tom Yuen Jun.

Q: Who is the person represented by this photograph (showing photograph attached to Form 430 dated December 10, 1929 and contained in NY file 132/251?
A: That is my son Tom Teu (Ten) Fong

Q: Who is the person represented by that photograph (showing photograph attached to Form 430, dated December 10, 1929 purporting to be that of Tom Lem Fong, and contained in NY file 132/252?
A: That is my son, Tom Lem Fong.

Q: Who is returning to China with you at this time?
A: I am going with my husband and my two sons.

Q: Through what port will you depart?
A: Seattle

Q: What will be your address in China?
A: I don’t know that.

Q: What will your address in the US?
A: C/O my father in law, Tom Mon Kip, 65 Mott St, Apt 2, NYC

Q: Are there any changes, corrections, or further statements you now desire to make?
A: No

Q: Have you thoroughly understood the interpreter?
A: yes.

Certified true transcript of my short hand notes, transcribed December 21, 1929.
Signed Sam Goldstein, Stenographer
Chinese Division USIS, NYC, NY
Dated December 10, 1929, received Dec 11, 1929  Doc 133/49

Enclosed herewith please find applications  as follows: Tom Yuen Fay, husband and father (631) ; Lum Shee, wife and mother (631); Tom Teu Fong, son (430) and Tom Lem Fong, son (430); all of whom desire to be examined for the return certificates via Seattle, Washington.

There are also enclosed certificates of identity #25915 and 25938, issued to the husband and wife by the SF office, photographs of both (in quadruplicate) duly signed: postal money orders , all of which are submitted in connection with the applications of the husband and wife. In connection with the applications of the two sons, there are submitted certificates of birth for either showing both to have been born in NY, NY.

Should records from another port, be required in connection with the applications of the husband and wife, kindly wire for same at my expense. This family is desirous, if possible to depart from here for China, the latter end of the current month. Please advise when the family are to be presented for the requested examinations.  Respectfully, Alfred W. Brough


October 1927?. The salary and partnership books of the firm were produced and there also appeared two statutory witnesses all corroborating the applicant’s statements as to being actively connected in the position and in the restaurant as claimed for at least the last past 12 months.

The premises of the firm were visited by me on the 22nd instant at which time I found the applicant in, and apparently attending to his duties as manager. The restaurant is of the medium-class type, having about 75 tables, occupying the second floor of the building, and having an orchestra with a dance space.

These applicants are of the better class and appear to be somewhat above the average intelligence of the general type of Chinese. In my opinion, there is no question but that Tom Yuen Fay has occupied an exempt status as a merchant for at least the last past 12 months and in view of the foregoing, favorable action is respectfully recommended on these applications.

Signed Marks Rosen  Chinese and Immigrant Inspector
.

Office Chinese Inspector, NY City  May 1, 1916
In the matter of Tom Y. Fay, alleged student, preinvestigation
FS Pierce, Inspector
FJ Masterson, Stenographer
Examination in English

Q: What is your name?
A: Tom Y. Fay. (sworn)

Q: Have you any other name?
A: No. I am not married yet

Q: How old are you?
A: I will be 25 years old this coming June

Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born in Sunning

Q: What village or city?
A: Wong Ben Choon

Q: When did you first come to the US and at what port did you arrive?
A: I arrived via Vancouver: I came here when I was a little boy.

Q: What kind of papers did you have?
A: I came here with my mother.

Q: What was your father’s name and occupation
A: Tom Mon Kip, merchant, 253 Fifth Ave,  and 16 Pell St

Q: He was a merchant here?
A: Yes

Q: And you and your mother came as the wife and son of a domiciled merchant?
A: Yes

Q: Have you been back to China since that time?
A: No

Q: Have you any papers showing your admission to the US?
A: I ought to have, maybe it is in my father’s possession.

Q: How old were you at the time you came?
A: 4 years old.

Q: What have you been doing since you came to the US?
A: Studying.

Q: You haven’t performed manual labor of any kind?
A: No sir.

Q: Where have you attended school?
A: I attended grammar school in Brooklyn, No 92 Public School, Erasmus Hall High School, and then Columbia and then NY University.

Q: How long were you in Columbia?
A: 3.5 years; I attended summer sessions.

Q: Did you graduate from Columbia?
A: Yes, I got my A.B. there .

Q: What has your work in NY University?
A: Banking and finance in the school of commerce.

Q: And you obtained the degree?
A: I haven’t my degree yet, in commerce, I intend to get it when I return.

Q: To whom will you refer as to your student status?
A: Mr Foster, Secretary in the School of Commerce, and Mr. Daggett, Public Service Commissioner Tribune Building.

Q: have you understood all the questions that have been asked you?
A: Yes, sir.

Witness signed stenographic notes in English

T.Y. Fay, and in Chinese.

NY May 2, 1916 NY University,
In the matter of Tom Y. Fay, alleged student, preinvestigation.

F.S. Pierce, Inspector and stenographer.

Q: What is your name?
A: Major B. Foster (Sworn)

Q: You are connected with NY Univ?
A: Yes, sir. I am secretary of the School of Commerce, which is connected with NY Univ.

Q: How long have you been secretary?
A: Since July 1915.

Q: I show you this photograph and ask if you recognize it. (Referring to photograph of applicant).
A: Yes, that is the photograph of Tom Y. Fay.

Q: How long have you known this Chinese person?
A: I have known him for over 2 years. He has been a student at the University since Feb 195.

Q: Will you refer to the official records and advise me as to his standing and what data you have concerning him?
A: Yes (Mr. Foster produced the records which show that this applicant received the degree of A.B. in Columbia in 1915, where he was a student from 1911 until the time he graduated. From Feb 1915, he also did some work in the School of Commerce before he graduated from Columbia. His record is very good.

Q: Do you believe that Tom Y. Fay has given all of his time to his studies and that he has not performed manual labor of any kind outside.
A: I believe that he has. I consider him to be a bona-fide student.

Office of Public Service Commission, Equitable Building NY  May 4, 1916

In the matter of the Tom Ming, alleged merchant and member of the firm Quong Mee Yuen and Co., 16 Pell St, NYC, preinvestigation and also in the matter of Tom Y. Fay, alleged student, preinvestigation.

F.S. Pierce, Inspector and Stenographer

Q: What is your name?
A: G.F. Daggett (sworn)

Q: What is your occupation Mr Daggett?
A: I am chief clerk for the Public Service Commission for the First District of NY

Q: And have you occupied this position for how many years?
A: For eight and a half years.

Q: I show you this photograph and ask if you recognize it. (Referring to photograph of Tom Ming)
A: Yes, that is the photograph of Tom Ming.

Q: How long have you known this Chinese person?
A: I have known him, I should say for four years or more, I became acquainted with him through my acquaintance with his Uncle Tom Mon Kip, of 22 Pell St.

Q: What do you know of this applicant, Tom Ming?
A: I know him as a merchant, formerly at 22 Pell St and for a little more than a year past I believe he has been connected with another Chinese firm at 16 Pell St.

Q: How often would you visit those stores during the past year?
A: I suppose 2-3 times a year at 22 Pell St. I think I have been at 16 Pell St 3 times.

Q: When you have been at the store have you usually seen this applicant there?
A: Yes, almost always, though I believe he does go out on the road for the firm at times.

Q: Are you convinced in your own mind that this man is a bona-fide merchant and that he has not performed manual labor?
A: I am satisfied of that, and I do not believe he is a laborer in any sense of the word.

Q: I show you this photograph and ask if you recognize it. (referring to photograph of Tom Y.Fay)
A: Yes, I know him very well; that is Tom Fay. I have known him longer and know him better than I know Tom Ming. Tom Fay is the son of Tom Mon Kip who lived next to me in Flatbush, and I have know Tom Fay since he was a little boy and first came to this country, and have followed him carefully ever since. I know that he is a bon-fide student, and that he has taken courses in almost everything that one could study. I know that he is a graduate from Columbia University and that he has been studying since that time in the School of Commerce at New York University.