The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-27

New Yo.k, July @G..-At todays ses-
sion of the subcommittee Of the Un'ied
States industrial commission, Roman
Dobbler, chief of the boarding inspec-
tors of immigration at the barge OF
fee, testified that his experience was
that CLERKS coming to the United States
in the second cabin with so or $50
were the first 10 become public
charges His figures showed that
while 2,CS} passengers came from lial-
ian ports in the steerage only % came
as cabin passengers.
Mr.. Dobbler said many persons oGme
In the second cabin in order to avoid
the rigid scrutiny at the barge office.
He believed mary of the new arrivals
had been coached as TO their answers
to questions put to them here.
DR.. Lorenzo Ullo. legal adviser of
the immigration bureau. said there
was great difficulty in enforcing the
laws owing 80 the many contradictions
found in the statutes relative to i'm
migration.
Witness said that in none of the
immigration laws was there an eX-
press provision for the deportation Of
contract laborers. The laws of 1891 did
SO by implication and it was under this
act that the department was working.
The witness said he favored amend
ing the law regarding contract labor
ers so as 10 inctule any agreement TO
come here to work, not ,igidly con-
tracted.
"If it IS advi9rh!a." he said, "to re-
strict contract Iahorers from coming
here the Law must he amended. The
L.. 4. l. p.gt,, tat
Mrs. Virginia Stucklcr, the chief
matron at the barge office, testified re-
gardnG the treatment Of enciente wo-
men arriving here: OF 1,l41 women ar
irving during this month in that CON
dition - ware marric': at the barge
office, IS were admitted on appeal, and
the others were found TO be married
women.
Mrs. Stuckler said that there was an
average of one marriage a day at the
landing bureau. Thrty-one women
arrived who had been unfaithful to
their husbands but except in three
cases were permitted to land.
Mrs. Stuckler thought the laws
should include an act prohibiting the
landing of girls brought here for inn
moral purposes. Thore was no such
prohibition in the present laws.
Cheap Labor.
William Weihe, of the contract la
Dor bureau, who was formerly presi-
dent of the Amalgamated Association
of Iron and Steel Workers, said that
the largest per cent. of the cheap la
Dor coming here were SloVakS, Polaks
and Russian Poles. went to Pennsyl-
vania, where they not only worked or
railroads and in the mines, but en-.
tered into competition in the industria
centres in the iron and glass works.
1T has been shown" said Mr.
Weihe, that the companies give the
preference to foreigners, even wher
skilled American wOrkmen offer t.
work for the same wages. In 1897 {
tin plate mill at Harrisburg brough
TO this country two roll turner's from
Wales at S35 and $50 a week respect
lively. We had the letters sent to thes,
men in which these salaries werr
promised. They We're written on tn,
company's letter head by the manager
The men came here and went to work
We could not prove that the presiden
had authorized the manager to hir
the men and as the manager was
hired man the company could not b
prosecuted"
DIR. Egisto Rossi, chief of the Italian
breau at the barge office, said hi
bureau was supported by the Italia
government His government did no
encourage emigration to this country
The bureau had been established her
TO regulate padrone system and for tn
purpose of keeping a record of Italia
immigrants arriving in this country
While he would not say his burea
had destroyed the padrone system, ye
he had been able TO prevent many ne,
arrivals from Italy coming into cor
tact with the bankers and padrones
this city.
Colonists Defined.
"Do you still regard italian imm
grants in this country as colonists
asked Chairman Smythe.
I'VE consider as Colonists all tia
ians who have not taken out natura
ization papers and notified the Italia
government that they should renount
allegiance to King Humbert"
rs 1t true that you issued a circuls
letter on April 81 last in which you sa
that, owing to the war with Spain, |;
Dor and industry had ceased in tn
country, and advised your governmel
not TO grant passports to intendir
immigrants"
mo: the person who gave you sue
information did not understand n
italian circular, Many persons we
arriving from Italy with insufficie
funds and ! simply called upon Il
government 10 urge upon the mayo
and projects the necessity of beil
careful in issuing passports, the mo
so as this country was engaged in
war and industrial enterprises were
q measure suspended"
I'VE have been informed that ce
tain Italian government officials a
Interested in sending contract Lahore
TO this country and share the prof
with the padrone," said Major Fa
quhar
II do not believe II possible" sa
DR. Rossi. 81 should like names a
data. American foremen acting 1
Americans contractors have been el
ploying the methods OF the padro
since we have been able to repress I
operations of the latter
Commissioners Sweeney was call
and examined on several minor ma