The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-10-14
Law Is IGNORED '''
BY MANY COURTS
A Federal Officer Investigates Nat
uralization Methods In
Many States.

Tacoma. Wash, Oct. 14.-C. D. c..
Van Dusen, an agent of the depart
ment of justice who has just returned
from Tacoma to Washington, d. c.,
after a long tour of inspection, will
find himself confronted, on his arri-
val at the national capital, with a
monumental task. Mr.. Van Dusen, a
resident of Brooklyn, is a close per
sonal friend of President Roosevelt,
and was sent out on a tour OF inspec-
ton by the department of justice to
find out how the new law, which went
into effect June 8, affecting the nat
uralization of foreigners is being CON-
piled with by the state and federal
courts. He has Travelled over most
of the central and western states, and
is said to have made some startling
discoveries. The new law on natur-
alization is not essentially different
from the old law, except that it con-
tains an ironclad oath which prevents
any one with professed anarchistic
beliefs, inclinations, or tendencies,
from becoming a citizen, unless he
perjures himself by denying his belief.
The law is the direct outgrowth Of the
anti-anarchistic sentiment that sprang
into existence after the assassination
of President Mckinley. Before any
judge can admit man to full citizen
ship he must administer this oath,
which is so complete that there is no
chance to evade the point.
Few Irregularities In This State.
Information concerning this phase
of the law was spread broadcast by
the press and the courts were offici-
ally notified, but Mr.. Van Dusen finds
that its existence has in many cases
been ignored. He also finds that other
phases of the law are being over
looked. In this state irregularities
were comparatively few. The oath re-
lating to anarchy has apparently been
uniformly required since June 3, but
in Pierce county it was found that
four Japanese had been admitted to
citizenship, and against this there is
especial provision. In some other
states Irregularities have been on a
wholesale order. One Chicago Judge
was found to have admitted 1900 for
eigners to full citizenship in one eve
ming an act which would have been
physically impossible unless the oath
were administered to the applicants
in platoons, and the law presumes
that it shall be administered to each
individual separately.
GIaring Mistake In Ohio.
In Ohio a much greater mistake
was made Over 100000 men were ad-
mitted to citizenship by probate
judges, who have no right to admin
lister the oath Although these men
made application in good faith they
are still foreigners under the law |
These, Mr.. Van Dusen says, are only
extreme examples Of the erroneous
application of the law He has sent |
blanks to the 5000 courts in the Unit
ed States, with instructions that they |
be filed out and returned to him with |
information concerning all acts On |
since June 3 These |
reports is becomes his duty to con-
slider on his arrivtl at Washington
The many errors made, it is said, |
has prompted President Roosevelt, to
suggest that bill be presented to the
next congress limiting the right of !
naturalization to the federal courts,
in order that the probability Of error
may be reduced and the responsible |
ty be more definitely fixed To make
the law more effective it is proposed |
by the president that all applications
be referred by the federal judge to
a commission of several individuals |
who shall question the applicant and
take other testimony, and report the |
results of their examination to the
judge
A