New-York tribune., 1906-07-03
m GUARD CITIZENSHIP.
,-rrv Law AG4INST FRAUD
parsag 10 BE Organized at Once at
Washington.
ICON The TrIbune Bureau.l

,,-.sbington, July 2.-Secretary AIetcalf re-
- 70 washington from New Haven to-day
,-nmedlately took steps preparatory TO or
;;n., the Naturalization Bureau under the
s..,o7ity Of the law just enacted by Congress
wishing a bureau OF immigration and nat
.r7at;oa. That part OF the act relating to the
-.ontment of officers to look after the work
- uroviding for quarters in Washington be-
- effective Immediately.
~ Metcalf regards the new naturalization
=. ss Of great Importance 10 the country and
!. ss,ermined to exert his best Efforts 20 pro-
.sse ;he proper machinery for its efficient adj
-oinistEaton. He has not yet perfected his plans.
~ as the provision of the law prescribing
avsa and uniform system and code OF procedure
! nsturalization matters does not go into opera
son until ninety days after the passage OF the
.ct it is expected that the bureau will be fully
,,rsuized and ready for business when the time
,omes for its work TO begin.
The great frauds in naturalization which have
,rsrailed under the old system-thousands OF
fraudulent certificates having been issued, and
sren sold. and citizenship conferred upon those
not entitled 70 twill. st is believed. be pre-
vsntea altogether by the new law.
With the Offices Of the Department OF Com
nsroe already overcrOwded one OF Secretary
Netcalfs first difficulties viii be TO find quarters
t,r the new clerks and officers required for the
additional work imposed upon the department
There are at present few men I'm the department
familiar with naturalization matters. and the
additional authority conferred by the passage
Of the naturalization act will open a new field
Il is thought that a special officer 10 act as an
assistant to Mr. Sargent, the Commissioner Cen
sral Of immigration. will be appointed to give
special supervision TO the new functions OF the
1,soT,
The law says that the Bureau OF immigration
enc Naturalization. IN addition 20 the duties
noz provided by law. shall have charge of all
matters concerning the naturalization of aliens.
The first section, which is Immediately effec-
i've provides:
That It shall be the duty OF the bureau 10 pro-
vide for at the various immigration stations
throughout the United States books OF record,
wherein the Commissioners Of immigration
shall cause a registry to be made in the case OF
each alien arriving in the United States, OF the
name, age, occupation, personal description, the
place Of birth, the last residence. the intended
place Of residence in the United States, the date
Of arrival Of the alien and the name of the
vessel in which ne comes.
To enforce this particular feature OF the law.
II is declared, the Department OF Commerce
IS already prepared. as It has been a rule OF
the Immigration Bureau for many years TO keep
q record of each alien arriving precisely In the
method prescribed by the new law. except that
index cards have been used instead OF books of
record. and it is believed that the card index
system will meet all the requirements
Secretary Metcalfs- first step in preparing TO
administer the naturalization act Will be 20 issue
circular formally notifying the Governors of
the various states Of the terms of the act
II is assumed the Governors will then issue
prOclamations notifying the state courts OF the
provisions Of the new federal statute.
It is recognized that to enforce a uniform rule
for the naturalization Of aliens throughout the
United States the cooperation Of the state
courts with authority to issue naturalization GER
tlhcates is necessary. Under the new law, all
courts state. territorial and federal must obtain
naturalization blank certificates from the Bu-
Eeau Of immigration and Naturalization, and the
requlsitons must come from the clerks Of courts
oI record All certificates Of naturalization must
be consecutively numbered and printed on safety
paper furnished by the bureau.
There are two provisions OF especial impor-
tsnee IN the naturalization act, because they are
intended TO raise the standard Of citizenship.
he nrst is that before alien may be natu-
iallzed he must be able to speak the English
language, and the second, that an alien must
intend TO reside permanently in the United
Slaies before he is entitled to naturalization.