New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-04
CONTROL In PHILIPPINES.
SURPRISING DISCOVERT.
Step To1card DiUiding Responsibility
Apparently Taken.
[Faos TIE rnIarxE rrrrAr.l


Washington, Dec 3-Is il the duty OF the De&
partmsnt Of Commerce and Labor to adnninists~
the immigration laws OF the United states in the
Philippine Islands? And. II so, was the first
step looking to the disintegratfon Of the control
Of The Philippines by the War Department taken
prcmeditatedly by the last Congress-
These questions are the outcome OF a surpris-
ing discovery in the wording Of the immigration
law passed at the last session Of the LvIIth
Congress, which leads inevitably to the con-
clusion that Congress has knowingly or unwft-
tingly conhded TO the Department. Of Commerce
and Labor the administration OF the immgra-
ton act in the Philippines. and made its various
provisions applicable 10 the island possessions
Of the United States
The question Of Jurisdiction in matters reIat-
ing 70 tnlnigra ton in the Philippines is one that
has Ions perpIexed Secretaries Root and Cor
telyou. and no positive decision has thus tar
been reached. but a definite decision is close at
hand. and there is every indication that it viii
result in the transfer OF al Immigration affairs
to the new department
IMMIGRATION UNDER CORTELYOU.
Those portions Of the law which effect thia
change are as follows; Section 33 Of the act ap-
proved March s. 1908. and which was virtually
a codihcatfon of the existing laws pertaining IN
the immigration Of aliens. reads;
That for the purposes Of this act the words
United States used in the title as well "a
in the various sections OF this act shall be con-
waters. territory or other place now subject to
the jurisdiction thereof.
Section % Of the same act reads:
That the Commissioner General of Inln1igrs-
ton. in addition to such other duties may bv
law be assigned 70 HIM. shall under the dire
charge OF all laws relating TO the Immigration
OF aliens into the United states.
Section of the act creating the Departments
Of Commerce and Labor provides that the Bu-
reau of immigration with all its functions shall
be transferred to the new department Under
these provisions IT is difficult to see how any
other construction than that above outlined can
be placed on the law. and IT is believed that a.
soon as the final decision is reached Secretary
Cortelyou. through the Commissioner General
Of Immigra ton, will he compelled TO assume
charge os immigration into the Philippines The
Secretary Of Commerce and Labor has no am
bition to extend the Jurisdiction OF his dapart-
rnent 10 the Philippines. but there is Httle doubt
that ne viii fRd he is charged viii this duty by
Congress. Neither is there any feeling in the
matter the part Of the Secretary Of War.
who seeks only the correct construction OF the
law, but the indications are strong. that when
Governor Taft accepts the War portfolio ne viii
find that the beginning of the end has already
arrived and that at least one Of the important
Philippines has been transferred 70 ansthsr d.
parurnent
ALL DEPARTMENTS MAY SHARE
There are members Of the Cabinet who havs
felt for some time thar the time was approach
ing when the government OF the Philippines
should be divided among their respective de-
rartments. and that each should assume control
in the Philippines of the same administrative
functions with which they are charged in this
country. and II is the opinion in some quarters
that the transfer of the immlgrauon service OF
the islands TO the Department of Commerce and
Labor is but the forerunner OF similar transfer
10. each department of the several branches CT
the Philippine government leaving the War De-
partmenJ TO exercise in the insular possessions
only those powers which it exercises in the
United States proper.
It is not generally believed that the change
viii come rapidly, but already absolute military
rule has given place TO qlIasi-Civu government.
and Congress has, II a measure provided for
still further extension OF the civil adnninistTa-
ton, so that among the few who are aware o.
the hitherto unsupported provisions Of the in
migration act the opinion IS general that " 10
the beginning OF the end