The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-13

Sargent, OF Illinois. His last report on
immigration was one Of the abiest, pre-
scented by any bureau chief under the
Government
The Bureau of immigration has for
one of its objects the regulation Of
commerce between the United States
and foreign Countries While Il does
not control the conditions under which
goods or merchandise may De entered,
unless in an indirect and resultant way,
yet by controlling. In some measure,
the influx of foreign peoples il has to
90 10 & large extent with the human
agencies by whose means commerce in
merchandise is conducted.
This bureau is also the Governments
representative in carrying out a policy
Tor the protection and encouragement Of
the labor of this country This feature
of its work is especially represented by
the laws forbidding the Importation Of
aliens. under contract to suDplant
American worlSingnen Thus it will be
seen that the bureau IS, through its ad-
mini5tration Of the immigration laws, a
bureau Of commerce and labor. and is.
therefore, most appropriately a branch
OF the new department
A Vast Field.
As affording some idea Of the magni-
ttCe Of its work it may be said that its
various officers throughout the United
States. in Canada. in Porto Rico. and
Hawaii. have inspected approximately
1000. 600 persons during the last fiscal
year This inspection cannot be made
on the same lines as the inspection of
merchandise. 1t must have due regard
to the requirements OF an enlightened
humanity 1t must not only exclude
the diseased. the depraved. the INDECENT,
and Others whose admission threatens
the welfare Of our own people, but it
must provide adequately for their wants
upon arrival.
L rnucf bo1,en tt,ay,, All cor1Fcr-f- f71rr
Il must feed the hungry; care for the
sick. aged. and infirm; and provide for
The women and children. 1t must pro-
tecJ them all from fraud while await
ing final action on their applications Tor
admission. and must even do what X
can. in the case Of women and chill
Gren, TO secure FOR them on admission
me protection of their natural guar
dams such task, properly executed.
calls for all the zeal or the efficient and
energetic Government officer, and at
the same time for the higher qualities
" hiCha recognize and voluntarily assume
those obligations TO which distress and
hciplessness should never appeal in
vain.
In furtherance o. the policy referred
to a bill has recently been introduced
IN the Senate which has for its object
the distribution Of aliens who, after adj
mission, have been left 10 longest in
uGWhOlesOme quarters IN our large
cities. 20 those places where they can
secure employment and build homes for
themselves and their children, and thus
become citizens, IN a true sense, OF the
country Of their adoption. This recon-
mendation of Commissioner GeneraG
Sargent is one of the most practical
suggestions that have been made on this
subject and the interest already shown
indicates that IL may be one of the
rteans Of improving existing conditions.
The enforcement of the various laws
relating 20 immigration has thus been
conducted upon broad lines, and the
department, in exercising its super
vieCry powers over the bureau. antici-
pates the complete development OF
svrtem that viii at once secure TO the
people Of this country the protection
intended BY those laws, and reduce 10
the lowest possible point the hardships
OF aliens necessarily incident to Their
emigration from their foreign homes.
TO accomplish the aforementioned OBJ
iect. however there should be legisla-
ton to prevent abuses Of our naturaliza-
ton laws; and, 70 carry into effect the
second there should be constructed
cOmmodiOus and properly equipped
buildings at the various ports