New-York tribune., 1899-07-27
CLERKS FOUND UNDESIRABLE.
THOSE COMING WITH A LITTLE MONEY
LIKELY TO BECOME PUBLIC CHARGES.
ACCORDING TO TESTIMONY BEFORE
INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION.

The third days session OF the hearing OF the
Subcommittee of the United States Industrial
Commission, which is probing the subject OF immi-
grafton was held at the Chamber OF commerce
yesterday The subcommittee adopted resoiu-
ton offered by Colonel Albert Clarke. thanking
the Chamber Of Commerce for its courtesy In
granting the use of its rooms for the purposes
Of the hearing.
Roman Dobbler chief OF the Boarding Inspectors
OF immigration at the Barge Office. described the
duties OF his office. His experience was that clerks
coming here In the second cabin with $40 or so
were the first 10 become public charges. Mr.. Dob
bier said incoming passengers were divided into
four classes for the purposes Of examination
American citizens tourists passengers I'm transit
and alien immigrants The witness prepared
table showing the comparative arrivals of passen-
gers in the first and second cabins and the steer
age.
Mr. Dobbler said many persons came in the sec
ond cabin in order 10 avoid the rigid scrutiny az
the Barge Office He believed many contract Ia
borers got in in that way. Some were caught ana
others escaped The force he said. too small
to do the work thoroughly. He believed many of
the new arrivals had been coached az 10 their
answers to questions put to them here
Dr Lorenzo Ullo, legal adviser OF the lmmgra-
ton Bureau, the next witness he described
the different immigration laws since their hrst
enactment in 1875. DR. Ullo said there was great
difficulty in enforcing the laws. owing TO the many
contradictions found I'm the statutes relative to I'M
migration.
Major Farquhar examined Dr. Ullo at some length
on the question Of the Contract Labor law, which
he contended was extremely defective
The witness saio ne would amend the ia" re-
gardng contract laborers to include any agreement
TO come here to worn not rigdly contract. lie
would also give to persons brought here by tho
steamship companies contrary 10 the immigrauoit
laws cause for action against the owners oil 'he
vessel that brought them
IF II is advisable" he said, TO restrict contract
laborers from coming here the la" must Do
amended The law as II stands does not restrict.
William Weihe of the Contract LABOR Buie.uy
who formerly president OF ne Anlae eis 70
Association OF Iron and Steel workers, salu !"
per cent of all the cheap labor coming mere
Slovaks Polacks and Russian Poes-went 10 IeIn-
sylvania where they not only WORKED on
and in the mines. but entered into competition IN
the Industrial centres in the IRON ana slass ~
.sTt has been shown" said MT Weihe. that ths
companies give the preference 10 ioreghers ,p
when skilled American workmen oner 10 "orN ior
wages. r..,.-, r2uroa,,t
DR. Egisto Rossi the chief Of the Italian Burgtu T
Bureau is supported by the Italian GoVernmepI -.
Rossi said his Government dd not ehcouiase s,in, s
migration this country his DuItdI - r.f,cI.
no privileges here beyond being allowed 20 HisasS
with the immigrants after they nave Oee" ie
by the immigration authorities ~, 49,. .,r.x.
'Edvard = McSWeeney. recalled. said that HIhy
of the records and manifests furnished 10 the -
nartnent nv the steamship companies were Hiitteh
came @ useless after short time. He also ex-
nIaned several minor matters. Inc coihHt,1eo
then adjourned. 10 meet in Washington IN oe'-
tember.