The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-11-16

Mr.. Herman Gutstadt, of San Fran.
cisco, arrived in Washington a few
days ago to take charge of the cam
paign for the re-enactment Of the Chi
nese Exclusion Act; which the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor and It's affil-
lated organizations have determined to
prosecute most energetically: central
izing, If necessary, all their resources
to the accomplishment of the end so
absolutely essential, not merely to the
but, as will be eventually shown. In
volving the ultimate successful devel-
opment of the nation itself.
Mr.. Gutstadt says:
1T is unfortunate that our fellow
citizens of the populous Eastern states
do not properly appreciate the true
importance of this anti Chinese senti-
ment. For many years prior to the en-
actment of the present exclusion law.
it was generally believed in Eastern
circles that the anti Chinese agitation
In California was created and fostered
by few irresponsible agitators. It
took many years to convince congress
that the anti-Chinese sentiment was
not confined to any class, but that the
experience gained by many years of
daily contact had convinced the popu-
lation as a whole that a continued in
crease of this people. If permitted, in
volved most serious danger to the
commonwealth, not only economically
but socially and morally.
There is practically no division of
opinion on the Pacific Coast in refer
ence to this Chinese question. Cali
fornia, Washington, Oregon, Montana
and Idaho have prospered and devel-
oped during the last ten years as never
before in their history.
while we do not attribute this en-
tirely to the operation of the Chinese
exclusion law, it is certainly a most
effective answer to those who have
held and still hold that cheap Chinese
labor is essential to the development
of trade and industry. It may be and
no doubt is true that in spite of the
exclusion law, Chinese laborers have
crossed our borders, but 1t is equally
true that the Chinese population on the
coast has materially decreased, many
having returned to China, while others
have gradually scattered throughout
the east, where their isolated presence
is hardly perceptible.
ITO those who still remember the
state Of turmoil and unrest which pre-
vailed during the many years prior to
the enactment Of this exclusion law.
the constant agitation, the petitions
and appeals to congress for redress and
help; the last ten years Of peace and
prosperity enjoyed by the citizens of
the Pacific Coast, the total absence of
race persecution, and the general ac-
ceptance of the conditions resulting
from the. enactment of the law. ought
to be sufficient reason for continuing
such a desirable state Of affairs by
the re-enactment Of the law producing
such salutary results.
1.-THE fact, then, that the compare
| lively small number Of Chinese In this
country at present causes no serious
discomfort to our people ought not to
have any weight whatever.
1.-THE strenuous efforts made by the
Chinese minister in this country to de-
feat re-enactment Of the exclusion act
| furnishes a sufficient reason for gen.
eral apprehension, that should congress
fail in its duty Of re-enacting this law.
| no time would be lost by the myriads
of Chinese in flooding this country as
never before.
1.-THE very fear of future legislation
| on this subject would stimulate the
Chinese companies to extreme efforts,
| and before this evil could be corrected.
| hundreds Of thousands Of these most
| undosira hlo irnmipranta w0I1d have on.
| tered our gates. This would be moth
| ing short of calamity.
1.-THE avenues of industry open to our
| children are not now too many. The
future already gives serious cause fol
apprehension. Is it desirable to close