Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-09-23
IMMIGRATION PROBLEM
IS FAST BECOMING A
VITAL NATIONAL ISSUE
IMMEDIATE LEGISLATION NOT Elk.
PECTED BUT QUESTION is
SHAPING FOR ACTION.
NATURALIZATION.

AllTeu ttdlSJedu, washington COTGe-
spondent of the Brooklyn Standard
Union, writes in a special dispatch:
The abuse of our naturalization laws
Is one of the phases of the immigra-
tiOn problem which Is certain to be
brought to the attention of Congress.
1t is impossible to make any prophecy
az to what Congress will do with this
feature of the problem, but it is to be
doubted IL any remedial legislation Is
to be expected at the approaching ses-
sion. For this there are several rea-
sons. One is. of itself, probably suf-
iicient to prevent action. That is the
fact that the Presidential election is
so near at hand. Politicians are no.
tOriCusly timid about taking any rad
iCal action at such time, and the
fear that anything that Congress
might do might be misConstrued by
the voters of our population who are
of foreign birth, might be twiGted into
hostility to the granting the rights of
citizenship to foreigners, will certain
ly be very pronounced. Then, other
questions may, enormously to be sure,
be considered as of more pressing inn
portanCe, and the argument will be
used that II is best to complete the
work Of Congress at an early date, be-
cause of the adyisabllity of adjourniug
some time before the two grea.
national conventions. Then, too,
certain interests. chiefly steam
ships. will antagonize any addi-
;ional legislation dealing with the
immigration question. as they quietly
opposed the passage of the stricter Inn
migration laws which went into effect
on March 3. Again. the naturalization
phase OF the immigration question Is
comparatively new. There will be a
tendency toward conservatism. for fear
that mistake may be made by hasty
action.
Strict Naturalization.
However, It is certain that the Com.
mittCe on immigration OF ;he HousC
and the Senate will give further con
sideration to the immigration problem
and that the immense frauds by which
foreigners are naturalized in drovcs
contrary to the law. will receive attcn
ton. The idea OF increasing the NUN
her of years of residence before Il for
eigner can become a citizen OF the Unit
ed States Is certain to be careful!
studied. This may make it possible :,
get data In shape for legislating upol
; the question in the last ses siOn u
the new Congress. Tha, w. uld on
able members of the HCdse and ih
Senate to approach the subject under
standingly. There are evidences. toe
that the fact that public opinion /
awakening To the dangers to .Ee nd
ton involved in the Abundance o
vast hordes of aliens. and that lhei
fraudulent naturalization may fore
Congress t. act. The immigration
question Is being discussed more gen
orally than ever before, and tine Ell
cient immigration Bureau Of the DE
partment of Commerce and Labor
preparing statistics that viii direC
public attention to the question so a
to decidedly increase the interest man
Tested
Naturalization Frauds.
Proof IL at hand that In several lars
cities aliens have hardly been lande
before they have been put through III
! naturalization mills" and were thu
placed on IN equality, as citizens, wit
men who have been legally naturalizc
and with those who are natives Of I'll
United States. 1t would be aslonist
, ing II figures as to the extent u baI
7 uralization frauds could now be print
ed. But they will appear in the repol
OF the immigration Bureau. which vi
be published before the assembling I
Congress. II seems certain that II
startling facts brought forth IN thu
report will command public attention
Courts More Careful.
Judge GregOr Of the County Cour
Albany, in refusing to naturaiiz" 70