Evening journal., 1897-08-07
Ut IMMIGRATION.
-merican Federation Of La
or Seeking Information.
OF QUESTIONS SENT OUT.
mt Gompers Says He Has No
nbt That the Federation VIII
Heartily Favor Some Mode
of Restriction.


Heartily Favor Some Mode
Of Restriction.
iington, Aug. 6.-The American
ton of Labor Is polling the
4 on the question OF restricting
= iation. A list Of seven questions
ien sent out from the national
arters in this city to the Fedora
branches all over the United
It is the intention to make the
received the basis for an active
gn for restrictive legislation.
II be four months yet before the
ne to be taken by the Federation
3bor is determined upon. The
sN convention of the order will be
Iring the first week Of December.
hal vote will then be cast by the
ties according to the Instructions
branches they represent.
seven questions have already
before the branches for a fort
and in no case will hasty action
en-. The final vote will be the re-
the deliberations of the hundreds
4 usands of men who compose the
and to whom the question is one
-sonal interest, as affecting the
Il for their labor. It will be an
{ verdict and cannot fail to carry
/ as the consensus Of the organ
orkmen of the land.
List Of Questions Submitted.
following are the questions sub
n:
Hoes your organization favor
ling the laws of the United States
trict immigration more than it is
estricted?
oes your organization favor
lion In the law guarding against
lal and pauper elements entering
he United States?
hould the foreign consular service
ur immigration department be in
d with greater powers to enforce
grafton laws?
hould the violation Of the alien
act labor law by employers be
liable by Imprisonment?
hould the steamship companies be
responsible for a term Of years for
haracter of their passengers?
hould a stricter civil and educa-
a test be enforced as to qualifica-
,or Naturalization
hould every Immigrant be COM
4 to declare his intention to be-
a citizen of the United States?
sldent Samuel Gompers said that
replies to these questions have al
been received at headquarters.
are from branches too poor to
delegates to the national conven-
and which do not expect to do so.
sident Gompers said that the num-
5f replies so far received Is much
mall to warrant him in predicting
result of the final vote next De-
er. He would make no statement
lie progress of the poll for publi-
n.
had no hesitation in saying, how
from his knowledge OF the Fedora
and OF the sentiments Of workmen
eneral that the Federation will
tily favor some effective mode OF
letting immigration.
Gompers said that the present
sment grows out Of the action Of
asst national convention of the Fed
on. The convention appointed a
ial committee to consider the sub
OF immigration and to propose
legislation as should practically
ody the demands Of organized
r in the matter.
,eoIal Inquiries About Restriction.
e committee reported favoring re-
ition. The delegates. however, i'm
sed with the gravity Of the ques.
and feeling that 1t was one which
aid be passed upon by the entire
lbership Of the order, decided thai
entire subject should be submitted
i he referendum.
his Is what Is now being undertaken
vote Of the delegates in this years
yention viii be truly representative
he convictions of the members o.
Federation.
is pointed out that all previous at
pts made by congress to limit leg
ton have been made, fstensibly a
4, In compliance with ~the demand
irganized labor.
he convention believed that before
further attempts at legislative ac
on this subject should be made tn
,e Of organized labor should be hear'
! distinctive and authorized manner
that in the future the officers in
sted with carrying out the wish o
DR. may have the knowledge that tn
rlSers have expressed their VIII II
matter and that there shall be n
stlon as to their attitude.
he branches have likewise been ask
to make suggestions on the mat
it's letter to the branches the ex
tive committee said:
In the effort to arrive at a conclu
upon this much vexed immigratio
sstion you are urgently requested t
lp your minds both from the unde
we'd prejudice as well as false sent
nt The question must be met wit
igment and foresight in the interes
labor, having a due regard for tn
tural rights Of all men,"
-