Evening star., 1901-10-22

the case of different vessels. Since the
steamship companies are required to pro-
vide for immigrants during their detention,
the amounts paid by the different COM
panies Is a fair index to the character OF
the immigrants. These amounts vary from
cents per capita for the passengeIs on
board to 30 cents per capita. On some ves-
sells three OF four may be detained, while
ship bringing immigrants from Italy may
have three-fourths to three-ffths OF the
passengers detained. The board OF SDeciaf
inquiry consists of four inspectors especial
ly designated. An affirmative vots of three
of the members is required for admission.
Any member dissenting has the right te
appeal to the Secretary of the Treasury,
and the immigrant has the same r1gnt. I he
decisions of the board, however, are sell
dom overruled. If the immigrant Is exclud-
ed the steamship company bears the expense
of deportation.
Contract laborers often come as cabin
passengers, and 1t Is here that the greatest
difficulty in their detection occurs If the
alleged contract laborer is detained by the
inspector he Is then brought before the
board of special inquiry for examination,
the same as other immigrants who are de-
tained. The authority of the immigration
inspectors, on approval by the Secretary
of the Treasury, In ordering the deporta-
tion of an immigrant whom they deem in
eligible is final. It is so recognized by the
courts, who will refuse to review their ac-
ton.
Liability of Contractors.
:Besides the deportation Of the contract
laborer the law provides for the punishment
of an importer who contracts for lis en-
ployment in this country. There have been
but few cases of conviction, although there
have been in six years some 1000 contract
laborers deported. This is because the law
requires that the contract be proven and
does not provide punishment for the mere
inducement, request or solicitation OR for
the offer of employment. The contract
must also be made in a foreign country in
o,Io, ,so% I, o,~%o
ent time very few such contracts are made.
The more common practice is for the fore
man to inquire Of his foreign workmen
whether they have any friends or relatives
whom they would like to bring to the
United States. In this way large numbers
Of immigrants reach this country with the
object of replacing Americans at .oWer
wages. 1t is asserted that the wholesale
importation of contract labor has practi-
cally been stopped. although the person
making the contract is not convicted.
THE immigration law provides only for
the exclusion Of persons convicted of crime.
but not for those charged with crime or
those deemed to be immoral. Although it
provides for the exclusion of polygamists.
1t is impossible to prove such charge,
and consequently a constant stream of
cent are women, are continually coming to
this country.
THE law does not provide for restriction
Of immigration from Canada, and the In
spection of those who come from Europe
through Canada Is wholly inadequate. The
United States commissioner made an agree
ment with the Canadian steamship COM
panies allowing them to board the ships
at Canadian ports and to pay the United
States head tax for those destined to this
country. The railroads through Canada
agree to transport none who are not
granted a certificate Of inspection by these
inspectors emitting them to enter at the
frontier.
Notwithstanding these agreements, a
large number of immigrants from Europe
ada as their destination. which relieves
them of inspection by the United States
officers, and then after remaining there
only 2 short time they cross over to the
American side. This Is affirmed to be the
greatest loophole in the restriction of legis-
that inspectors should be placed along the
Canadian border.
Prior to 1898 steamship agents in Eu-
rope were very little restricted as to per-
sons to whom they sold tickets. The result
was an indiscriminate emigration to the
United States. The act of 1893, compelling
the steamship companies to deport those Of
their passengers who might be rejected by
the inspectors, has had the effect of max
ing the European agents of the companies
the most effective inspectors under the law.
Indeed, the steamship representatives
maintain that this class Of inspection is
much superior to that of consular officers
States government. The reasons given are
that the companies hold their agents re-
sponsible for immigrants to whom tickets
have been sold in case these immigrants
are depOrted These agents are fully in
formed of all the details of American legis-
lation, and are furnished with minute in
structions regarding the classes of immi-
grants who are Ineligible"