The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1902-06-11
LABOR IS AHEAD
Penrose's Committee on Immigra-
tion Has Important Hearing.
KEEP THE CHEAP LABOR OUT
That Is a Demand Which II ls Pro-
posed to Meet BY Measures Now
Pending Before the United States
Conuress,

posed to Meet BY measures NOW
Pending Before the United States
Congress.
Special Correspondence
Philadelphia, June 10.-Every work
ingman, every employer of labor, every
wage Garner and every capitalist must
necessarily be interested in the legis'
lation which is now before congress
calling for the restriction of immigra'
ton.
Senator Boies Penrose, as chairman
Of the committee ON immigration OF
the United States senate, presided over
an interesting meeting of that commit
tee few days ago. when the Shattuck
bill regulating the entrance Of immi-
grants into this country and seeking
to bar Objectionable persons, was re-
viwed and a hearing was given rep
resentatives of workingmen's organi-
cations and other organizations inter
ested in the restriction OF immigra-
ton.
Senator Penrose has been leader
in the movement for the restriction OF
immigration, and he is confident that
there will be remedial legislation
passed before the end of this session
of congress.
Charles H. Litchman, who was one
of the organizers of the Knights OF
Labor, and who has been interested in
labor organizations for many years,
was one of the star witnesses before
Senator Penrose's committee. Mr..
Litchman spoke of the great need of
curtailing the number of immigrants
coming to this country from Southern
Italy, Austria-Hungary and Poland. He
said he recognized the fact that this
country has grown to its present pros
porous condition largely through the
labor, the industry and the enterprise
of immigrants who came here 80 or 40
years ago.
Since 1890, however. he said, fully
five millions of immigrants have land
ed in this country, four millions Of
whom should never have been per.
mitted to set foot on these shores.
He said that in recent years the un-
desirable immigrants have been set
tling in the large cities of New York,
Pennsylvania. New Jersey and llli
lois, and that there is serious danger
to the peace of the country and to life
and property of our citizens from
the people huddled in these settle
ments.
He said the Knights of Labor had
begun the agitation against the indis-
| criminate admission of immigrants by
bringing about the passage of the law
prohibiting the importation of labor
under contract.
LABOR MUST BE CONSIDERED.
This was a good move, but by far a
more important measure today would
be one to keep from this country the
hordes of undesirable foreigners who
are coming into competition with
American labor and endangering the
institutions of the country.
He spoke of the combinations of cap
ital into trusts and the amalgamation
of labor throughout the country. and
with these two great contending forces
II was eminently proper that the de-
mands of labor should be recognized
by congress, so that capital should not
have an unfair advantage through the
importation of cheap labor.
He demanded that not only should
there be restrictions at the great sea-
ports of the country, but that there
should be a more efficient service on
the Canadian border, where thousands
of immigrants who have been stopped
at New York, Philadelphia and Bal
timore. ultimately find their way into
! this country.
Senator Penrose frequently inter
rupted Mr.. Litchman and showed keen
interest in the subject and a desire
to have the committee fully enlighten-
ed as to existing conditions, so that
| he could have the hearty cooperation
| of his colleagues in pressing for the
passage Of the bill.
Senator Penrose expressed the opin.
ion that a majority of the congress
men will be favorable to the bill, but
that there will undoubtedly be objcc.
tions to some of its provisions.
EDUCATIONAL TEST.
The educational test, which requires
an immigrant to be able to read part
of the constitution of the United
States in some language before he OF
she shall be admitted to this country
was generally favored by those who
appeared before Senator Penrose's
committee.
The general thought was that thi:
restriction would bar out large per
centage of the most undesirable
classes of immigrants.
There is one provision Of the bill
which a number of the congressmer
are opposing. It is that introduced by
Senator Penrose himself. 1t prohibit!
the sale of intoxicating liquors within
the enclosures where immigrants arr
detained pending examination for theil
fitness to eLter the country.
Even the chief immigrant inspector
Mr.. Williams, from New York, opposed
Senator Penrose in this particular
He informed the senator that he saw
10 reason why the sale of beer SHOULD
be prohibited there and allowed il
New York city. He told Of instances
in which mothers gave their children
beer instead of milk from bottles
Senator Penrose wanted to know If i
were not true that while liquor wa
being freely sold, it was difficult t
purchase milk at the New York sta