Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 March 1909 — ALIENS DEFEAT EXCLUSION ACT [ARTICLE]

ALIENS DEFEAT EXCLUSION ACT

Undesirables by Thousands Enter United States. REPORT ON IMMIGRATION Investigation Shows That Many Worn- , en Are Being Imported Under Conditions Which Amount to Absolute Slavery—Much Importance Attached to the Inquiry Into Alien Criminality —Commission Needs from Congress Money to Carry on Its Work. Washington, March 2. —Some facts showing the far-reaching character of the work of the joint commission on appointed by congress Feb. 20, 1907, were presented to congress through the publication of a preliminary report by the commission. The report Was printed and circulated to show the necessity for an appropriation of $250,000 to carry on and complete the work. The expenses of the commission from April 1, 1907, to Feb. 27, 1909, have been $344,796. Thousands Defeat Law. The commission says it is generally admitted by those acquainted with the subject that, notwithstanding that the present law proposes to provide for the exclusion of every undesirable immigrant, thousands of undeniably undesirable persons are admitted each year. It has been found that the law in theory, so far as its exclusion provisions are concerned, is exceptionally strong, but in effect it is in some respects weak and ineffectual. One of the most important features of the work is connected with evasions of the law resulting in the importation of excluded classem Notwithstanding the expenditure of about $500,000 annually to enforce this law the commission finds that it does not prevent the coming of Chinese laborers in considerable numbers. Women Held as Slaves.

An extensive investigation is being made into the question of the importation and harboring of “white slaves.** The''results show that many women are being constantly imported under conditions which amount to absolute slavery. As the results of its inquiries and the evidences it has gathered there has been a noteworthy attack upon this business which has resulted in a marked decrease, since the commission began its work. It has been found that in numerous Instances persons afflicted with contagious diseases, and even criminals of a dangerous type, have been able to evade the immigration laws and come to this country under the pretense of being seamen.

Subject of Allen Criminality.

Importance is attached to the inquiry being made into the subject of alien criminality. The higher criminal courts of New York city are, at the request of the commission, keeping records in detail of each person convicted of crime, and it is intended that a study of foreign-born criminals of the second generation will be made in that city. The investigation, however, is not confined to the larger cities, but is being carried into smaller centers and industrial communities in various parts of the country.