Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1903-12-07

| grants come IN Sucn NUMBERS DIS u 0e-
press the conditions of life for those
already there. During the last two
years the immigration service at New
York has been greatly improved, and
the corruption and inefficiency which
formerly obtained there have been
eradicated.
This service has just been investi-
gated by committee of New York
citizens of high standing, Messrs. Ar
thur V. Briesen. Lee K. Frankel. Eu-
gene A. Ph'lbin, Thomas w. Hynes and
Ralph Trautman. Their report deals
with the whole situation at length,
and concludes with certain recommen-
dations for administrative and legis-7
lative action. 1t is now receiving the
attention of the secretary of commerce
and labor.
Naturalization Frauds
The special investigation of the SUBJ
ject of naturalization under the direc-
ton of the attorney general, and the
consequent prosecutions reveal con-
dition of affairs calling for the imme-
date attention of the congress. For
geries and perjuries of shameless and
fragrant character have been perpe-
trated, not only in the dense centers of
population, but throughout the coun-
tryffi and it is established beyond doubt
that very many so-called citizens of the
United States have no title whatever
to that right and are asserting and en-
joying the benefits of the same through
the grossest frauds 1t is never to be
| forgotten that citizenship is. to quote
the words recently used by the SUI
preme court of the United States, an
! "inestimable heritage" whether ii pro-
ceeds from birth within the country or
is obtained by naturalization; and we
poison the sources of our national
character and strength at the fountain,
| If the privilege is claimed and exer-
cised without right. and by means of
fraud and corruption. The body polite
can not be sound and healthy If many
of it's constituent members claim their
standing through the prostitution of
the high right and calling of citizen
ship. 1t should mean something to be-
come a citizen of the United States;
and in the process no loophole what
|
The methods by which these frauds
now under full investigation with
view to meeting out punishment and
providing adequate remedieS-are per-
petrated, include many variations of
procedure by which false certificates
of citizenship are forger in their en-
tirety; or genuine certificates fraudu-
| lently or collusively obtained in blank
are filled in by the criminal conspira-
tors; or certificates are obtained on
fraudulent statements as to the time of
arrival and residence in this country;
or imposition and substitution of an
other party for the real petitioner occur
in court; or certificates are mare the
subject of barter and sale and transfer
red from the rightful holder to those
not entitled to them; or certificates are
forged by erasure Of the original names
and the insertion of the names of other
persons not entitled to the same.
1t is not necessary for me to refer
here at large to the causes leading to-
this state of affairs. The desire for
naturalization is heartily to be COM
mended where is springs from a sin
cere and permanent intention to be-
come citizens, and real appreciation
of the privilege. But it is a source
of untold evil and trouble where it is
| traceable to selfish and dishonest mo-
tives. such as the effort of artificial
and improper means in wholesale fash
ion to create voters who are ready
made tools of corrupt politicians, or
the desire to evade certain labor laws
creating determinations against alien
labor. All good citizens, whether nat
uralized or native born, are equally in
terested in protecting our citizenship
against fraud in any form. and, on the
other hand, in affording every facility
for naturalization to those who in good
faith desire to share alike our privi-
| leges and our responsibilities.
The federal grand jury lately in ses-
sion in New York city dealt with this
subject and made presentment which
states the situation briefly and forcibly
and contains important suggestions for
the consideration of the congress. This
presentment is included as an appen-
dix to the report of the attorney gem
eral.
To Enforce Antitrust Laws and Pros
ecute Postal Frauds
In my last annual message, in con-
nection with the subject of the due
regulation of combinations of capital
which are or may become injurious to
the public, l recommended special APP
preparation for the better enforcement
of the anti trust law as it now stands.
to be expended under the direction of
the attorney general Accordingly (by
the legislative, executive. and judicial
appropriation act of February %. 1908,
S2 Stat, S45, 90D, the congress appro-
priated, for the purpose of enforcing
| the various federal trust and inter-
state commerce laws. the sum of five
hundred thousand dollars, to be ex-
pended under the direction of the at
| torney general in the employment of
!