Hodel Vows ‘Tasteful’ Restoration of Ellis Island

Interior Secretary Donald P. Hodel, alluding to the “obvious differences” that led him to fire Chrysler Chairman Lee A. Iacocca from a Statue of Liberty advisory commission, reassured the panel Tuesday that the rehabilitation of Ellis Island is “on the right track.”

Addressing the first meeting of the commission since Iacocca’s ouster last month, Hodel pledged to keep Ellis Island “special” and to pursue a “tasteful” rehabilitation. Hodel praised Iacocca’s “substantial success” and “integrity” as chairman of the fund-raising drive and pledged to continue to work with the auto executive.

After his removal, Iacocca held a news conference in which he charged that the National Park Service, which is part of the Interior Department, wanted to commercialize Ellis Island and build a luxury hotel. Hodel noted that Iacocca himself previously had been accused of commercializing the monument in the fund-raising drive.

‘Defended Lee’

“I have defended Lee and spoken out on his behalf when those accusations were raised,” Hodel said.

Hodel added that he has not yet endorsed a restoration plan and promised “not (to) allow others to make a commercial mockery of the historic shrine that is Ellis Island.”

Hodel told reporters that he believes “the flap” involving Iacocca has “smoothed right out.” But in response to a question, the secretary said he has not spoken with Iacocca since his removal.

Hodel reiterated that he removed Iacocca as chairman of the advisory commission because of concerns that the auto executive’s dual chairmanship of a Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island private fund-raising foundation might pose a conflict of interest.

The advisory commission that Iacocca formerly headed was appointed by the Interior Department to advise the secretary on restoration plans.