The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-25
KEEPING OUT CONTAGION
COMMISSIONER SUGGESTS FINE FOB
STEAMSHIP COMPANIES.
Industrial subcommittee Taking Evil
dence in New YOrk-Another Rap
at the Civil Service.

NEW YORK, July 2i-The subcommittee
of the industrial commission met here to-
day to investigate the immigration ques-
ton. Only three members were present
ex-Congressman John NJ. Farquhar of
Buffalo, Ellison A. Smythe, of North Caro-
lima, and Col. Albert Clark, of Boston. Sen
ator Boies Penrose. of Pennsylvania, and
Congressman Livingston, of Georgia, were
unable to attend. Commissioner of Immi-
grafton Thomas Fitchie was the first wit
ness. He explained the working Of the i'm
migration law in detail. He spoke of the
great care taken in the examination OF the
new arrivals regards their moral, phys
ical and financial condition. Notwithstand-
ing this the commissioner stated that many
persons were undoubtedly received who
were suffering from dangerous contagious
diseases. He mentioned the case of wom-
an who arrived here in the steerage of
French line setamer, and who was suffer-
ing from trachoma, dangerous contagious
disease. She was deported, but arrived here
again on the next trip of the vessel. in the
second cabin, and again was sent back.
Mr. Fitchie suggested that the law be
changed SO as to impose fine on any COM
pany landing or attempting to land any
passenger suffering from contagious dis
ease. He believed that If a specific fine
were imposed for each violation Of the law
the steamship companies would be more
careful. Nine per cent. Of one shipload OF
immigrants, he said, was found undesira-
BILE and ordered deported. Mr.. Fitchie de-
clared that sixty-five cases of trachoma
were detected in single week. besides
*hxar dov,
contagious disease He urged more rigid
medical examination at the port of embar-
kation.
Mr.. Fitchie was asked whether he found
the operation of the civil-service law bene-
fetal in his department. "Emphatically
no." he said. Our department is a Pc
culiar one, and do not believe any exam
nation discloses the qualities needed in
many Of our employees. Honesty. deter
mination and experience are thousand
times more serviceable than civil-service
examination.
To Colonel Clark the commissioner said
he believed 1t would be a good thing II all
the offices in the department were taken
out of the civil service. To question as to
how good men were to be protected under
such condition of affairs, Mr.. Fitchie said
tect. them.
The commissioner confessed that he had
known of cases where valuable men were
removed to make room for mere party
workers, but he suggested that, while the
clerical positions should remain under civil
service rules, he could not see that any
examination could produce as good immi-
grafton inspectors as the committee could
select.
Assistant Commissioner Edward McSwee-
rey gave a succinct statement of immigra-
ton matters since $780, when the govern
n.ent took the business out of the hands
of the State authorities. He gave an in
an immigrant must take before permitted
to land. from the time he applies to pur-
chase a ticket until the barge office gates
swing outward for him. McSweeney said il
had been estimated that as a result of the
law of 1898 $1,000 persons who applied for
tickets to this country We're refused trans
portation by the agents of the steamship
companies
The commissioners listened to Mr.. Nc
Sweeneys recital of the difficulties in en-
forcing the law regarding the exclusion of
the various classes of undesirable immi-
fered to anyone to come here to labor
should be deemed sufficient to bar the i'm
migrant. He also said it would be we'll to
include in the list of undesirables those
birds of passage" who come here
and work in the summer months
and go to Europe to spend their
savings in the winter. returning again
in the spring. At the same time Mr.. Nc
Sweeney said he doubted If there was any
class as Objectionable as those men who
came here without dollar in their pockets,
ready to take any mans job at any price
Mr.. insolvency said that he believed the
time had arrived when the laws should be
revised. He thought the whole family
should be deported when one member of
1T was found to be suffering from loath-
some disease.
Regarding the statistics of the Bureau Of
immigration, he said that they were of no
value as regards the race or destination Of
arrivals. Most of those who announced
themselves as Austrians, HunGarianS and
Russians were Slovaks. Croatians. Poles.
Lithuanians and Dalmatians. During the
years 1850 to 1880 Az per cent. of the arrivals
at this port, or nearly 1000 900 persons, an
nounced their destination as New York
city. The census of 1890 showed an increase
in the population of only 10000.
do you know that the padrone system
still prevails here?" asked Mr.. Farquhar.
I'VE are morally sure that 1t does. When
people come here from Italy supplied with
equal amounts of American gold we think
there is something more than mere chance
to It,"
In answer to questions the assistant COM
missioner said that he would recommend
that the head tax be doubled and that the
steamship companies be required to furnish
a guaranty that none of its passengers shall
become public charges for two years. in
stead Of one, as at present. He declared that
the reputable companies would support the
enactment Of such a law. Mr.. McSweeney
spoke Of the establishment at the landing
bureau of an office of the Italian govern
ment and also described the work Of the
Austrian government agents here, who have
an office at the landing station and also pro-
vide succor for helpless countrymen in this
country.
Regarding the Italian office he said: DIR.
Egisto Rossi. the representative of the Ital-
ian government, is thoroughly honest and
capable gentleman. but / believe that while
the Italian government continues its quasi
| official supervision over its immigrants, the
inspection of the United States government
| lishment Of such a bureau tends TO encour-
| age undesirable emigrants to come here be-
cause they feel they will be protected. We