Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-31

Secretary Carlisle writ-. Denainx tho TER
Under the Contract Labor Law.

Secretary Carlisle writ-. DenaInx tho Tern
Under the Contract labor Law
What constitutes arts; is a question that
has given the Treasury Department endless
trouble and has formed the basis Of
several important decisions by the Sec
Rotary OF the Treasury. These de-
cisions have never given full satisfsc-
tion ard Secretary Carlisle had hardly -
sumed direction Of treasury affairs before he
was called upon 10 give his opinion ~ 20 what
constitutes an artist within the meaning OF the
immigrant Law. This opinion was called out
BY Alexander Bremen. presiden; % the Musical
Mutual Protective Union Of New York. who
complained that European musician. were be-
ing imported for employment at the worlds
fair. Chicago.
Secretary Carlisle m answering Mr. Bremen
gives the decision rendered in the case Of the
Strauss orchestra and adds. From tins IL will
De observed that the department did not then
nor has IL since. in interpreted the law that com
binatlon OF musicians would necessarily be sa-
united rs artists. but that the matter was
lett IN the first instance 60 the collector under
the law as u then stood. or To the commissioner
Of immigration under the present law
The law applicable 20 the case .xempts pro-
fessional actors. artists, lecturers or singers
and persons employed strictly as personal or
domestic servants.
Under date Of October 4. 1892. YOU were sd-
vised by the department As follows: AN srti..
is defined one who Processes and pract,ces.n
art in which science and taste preside over the
manual execution. The term L. particularly an
pied 10 painters, SCULPTOR. musicians singers
and actors. One who has taken up the yoca-
ton Of music as y life calling is an artist and
also a member OF a recognized profession and
coming TO the United States an alien uncer a
contract made abroad. TO follow has profession
in this country would seem to be entitled
10 land under the provisions OF section
Of the contract labor law. approved February
&c. 1855. and section Of the immigration act
approved March 8. 1891. IL is suggested. there
fore. that your protest appeals TO Congress
ather than to this department"
You state tina; ''onlv the other dav a band OF
land here. twelve IN number. Of whom but
three could read note OF music"
No information OF tins kind. other
than that contained in your letter. has
reached the department.. and Il will readily
occur TO YOU that no decision Of this DEPART
ment would authorize the landing OF these
people If they came here under a contract and
their landing would be a culpable disregard
both of the Jaw and departmental rulings
Ii would also seem TO be the duty OF every
good citizen. possessed of such information, TO
Communicate IL at once 20 the proper authori-
ties. with sufficient of detail to Identity the
transaction, that necessary action might be
taken 20 ascertain the facts and make proper
disposition of the case.
have given the subject full consideration,
and see no occasion to interfere with the pre-
Nious action OF the department which, in my
opinion. Is fully justified by the law. have
no doubt that the term artists include mu-
slciars who combine science and taste in the
manual execution Of their art Whether they
have attained TO this standing OF excellence 10
question to be determined. in the first in
stance. by The inspector officer Under the
present law there is no provision for appeal on
tne part OF the government from his decision
Ii may be noted, however. that under the Law
OF March 5. 1885, which takes effect sixty DAYS
after ats passage, the government will have this
right OF appeal, which il has not heretofore
Possessed.