The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-12-30
IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION.

IN EPORIS from Washington to the effect
X that not only is Congress certain of re-
enacting the Chinese restriction law, but the
chances are good for the passage of general inmi-
grafton bill which will remedy the defects in the pres
cnt law and prevent much Of the Objectionable imi-
grafton that now pours into the country from other
nations than China.
A bill representing the views of Commissioner
General Powdery and other experts in the matter of
immigration has been introduced into Congress and
has found strong support The aim OF the trainers of
the measure is to embody in one act all necessary
provisions relating to immigration to eliminate
from existing statutes whatever experience has
shown to be Objectionable to amend the sections
which have stood the test of the courts and to
add to the present law whatever is required to meet
the needs of the time with respect to aliens seeking
admission to the country.
One of the notable features of the new measure is
provision for the inspection abroad of persons de-
string to come to the United States, and secondly
for the supervision here of all immigrants admitted
so that they may be deported if within period of
five years they found be criminals or paupers
For the purpose of providing partly least for the
inspection and supervision it is provided that the
head tax On aliens coming into the country shall be
raised from 81 So and is be imposed upon those
entering by land we'll upon those entering by
sea, but exceptions made in favor of citizens of
Canada and of Mexico.
The bill prescribes that there shall be excluded
from the United States all idiots, insane persons
paupers persons likely to become public charge;
persons afflicted with loathsome or with dangerous
contagious disease persons who have been convicted
OF crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
polygamists anarchists or persons who advocate the
overthrow of government, or the assassination of
public officials; persons whose migration to the
United States has been induced by offers solicta-
TONS promises or agreements express or implied of
labor work service; any person whose pas
sage is paid for with money of another or who is as
sisted by others to come unless it is satisfactorily
shown that such person does not belong to one of
the excluded classes, but this is not be held pre-
vent persons living in the United States from send
ing for relative or friend who IS not Of the ex-
Guided classes.
The bill does not exclude persons who in othef
countries have been convicted of oenses purely DO
tica and involving moral turpitude nor the i'm
portaton of skilled labor when such labor not to be
found unemployed in the United States Further
more the clause forbidding the importation of "con-
tract labor does include under that head profess
sional actors artists lecturers musicians ministers
Of any religious denomination professors for col
leges or seminaries persons belonging to any rec
ognized learned profession, persons employed
strictly as personal or domestic servants
The bill has been carefully prepared by men who
have long been earnest students of immigration
problems and is much better than the laws that now
prevail. 1t will of course undergo close scrutiny in
the House and long debate'upon it can be counted
when it comes before the Senate. There will be
therefore, ample opportunity to rid it of any defects
that may exist and still bring about its passage at
this session. There has been an urgent demand for
legislation in this direction and is full time the de-
mand was satisfied.