The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-24
cody LABOR.
Commissioner Fitzgerald Re-
plies to Some Eastern
Directors.
Many Asiatics Are Sent to This Port
in Violation Of the Contract
Labor Law.

In yesterday dispatches from Washing
ton was an item to the effect that the Off
Gals in the capital discredit the charges
made by State Labor Commissioner E. L.
Fitzgerald that japanese laborers are sent
to California in violation of the contract
labor laws. 1t adds that the position of
Mr.. Fitzgerald is further overthrown by
the declarations of Senator George Perkins
and others, who deny that such is the case.
Mr.. Fitzgerald, in replying to these asser-
tions yesterday, said:
In the first place the kilograms to the news
papers are surprise to me, as there has been no
correspondence between this bureau and any
Federal OH clal or private citizen in the East
The statement that the authorities at Wash
ington have no evidence at hand sufficient to
justify the belief that Oriental laborers are
being sent TO California from Japan and
Honolulu under contracts written and implied
Is also true, because the proof that such is the
case still remains in my possession. All the
information the authorities at Washington
have upon this subject must be what they have
obtained from the newspapers.
Now, the facts are these: The testimony
taken by astenographer at the recent cody
labor investigation by the California Bureau of
grafton Commissioner Will satisfy any fair
minded man that such contracts, implied if
not written, really exist. For proof that such
is the case take these letters that were secured
from japanese immigrant recently:
May 81, 1895
To Rinlura Keizo, 1finamigG,oa, KIta (Ts'ona
Otubo TdEsusobtro, CoRcord): AS soon as you get
Nagano. Divide the $40 between the three of you.
There Is plenty of work here, come here at once
to work When you are requested by the immi-
grafton authorities do not tell them You are com
ing to me, but say you are coming independently.
June 4, lSe5.
Come right away. You did not answer last let
ter, so come right away. OKUBo.
he 4l-r oIa1 n
from japanese contractor in Honolulu to
gentleman in this City, offering to send any
number of Jap coolies to this State to be
worked In the orchards at S12 month with
out board, clearly show that at least efforts
were made TO send Asiatic laborers to this
State in violation OF the United States con-
tractlabor laws. The originals of these letters
have in my possession. When l submitted this
matter to Assistant United States Attorney
Knight, with view OF making an arrest, he
held that the evidence was strong enough to
convict Okubo, but suggested that l should
bring Okubo TO San Francisco, so that he
might interview the Jap contractor before
taking any official steps.
This should have been done by the Federal
authorities 1t was simply my duty to present
the evidence, which did, and his duty was to
arrest and convict If possible. have neither
the authority nor the funds to prosecute such
q case.
As to the letters from Honolulu the Federal
authorities have not seen them nor had any
thing to do with them. After seeing that
nothing would be done with the Okubo matter
here concluded to submit this and all further
evidence and statistics TO the department at
Washington as soon as / am able
AS to the declarations OF Senator Perkins
and other prominent coast politicians that
there is nothing to warrant the impression
that such conspiracy exists I have simply
this to say: Senator Perkins has no knowledge
of the evidence in my possession, other than
what ne may have obtained from the news
papers. Who the other prominent coast poll
ticians are do not know, but Senator Perkins
is the ONLY one who has given any expressions
upon this subject. However, the fact that
japanese coolies are taking the places of white
men in the various departments of labor is
being proved every day to me in the States
Free Labor Bureau.
Notwithstanding the opposition that from
time to time may arise l shall continue the
suit in the passage by Congress of japanese
exclusion act The memorial and petition
that will be signed by the people for such an
act will justify my position in this matter.