Omaha daily bee., 1906-12-08
THE COAST AND THE JAPS
Reasons for CalifOrnia's Opposition to the
Yankees Of the East"
SCHOOL EXCLUSION A MERE INCIDENT
Hawaiian Island OverFun by the
Little Brown Men-simiIar Mem
aeInE Conditions Feared
on the Coast.

The exclusion of japanese pupils from
the schools Of the whites in San Francisco
and their restriction to schools provided
for Asiatics exclusively proved of sufficient
Importance to call out diplomatic pro-
test from Japan and discussion Of our
relations with Japan In the president s
message. Trifing as the school incident APP
pears at q distance, in II lies elements of
danger to American trade relations with
the orient. Behind the incident is a
steadily growing feeling among Califor-
mans In favor OF restricting the .immigra-
ton OF Japanese to the United States.
Segre cation in the schools OF San Fran
cisco is but a manifestation OF the deeper
purpose. An average Of 1900 Japanese land
at San Francisco every month. 1t is esti-
mated that 5000 a month land at the vari-
Gus ports on the coast. No diminution OF
the stream is apparent. The tendency is
toward an increase, because OF the superior
opportunities Of the United States.
The effect OF this steady influx on the
conditions Of life on the coast cannot be
other than detrimental to Californians, in
dustrially, socially and morally "on the
Pacific coast" says a Californian in the
New York Times, Oriental immigrant la
Dor at wages OF from 50 cents to 81 Der
day was at FIRST a benefit to American land
owners. But under conditions which have
prevailed increasingly for the last 1--WE
years the Japanese laborer who comes TO
this country Is not for direct hire 70 white
men; he is to be approached only through
his japanese boss; is, in truth, merely the
instrument whereby a capitalist at home
in Japan nils a contract 70 supply so many
days labor for certain price Preaching
constantly TO a higher figured.
Contract Labor.
In the oriental quarter Of any city or
town on the Pacific coast, from the Can
adam boundary to the Mexican line, one
may 90 to a shop and buy japanese labor
as one would buy sausages, After the bar
gain is struck, the price paid I'm advance),
the boss delivers the goods, free on board
the wagon bound for the plao OF industry,
and expects his gang 10 do as little work
rs possible. These brown men from Nip
pom, who In crowds labor In fields, vine
yards, shops and factories throughout the
far western states, are the shrewdest and
cheapest OF all Asiatics. Their patriotism
Is proved by the lRnguor OF their efforts
In the interest Of white employers, and
their willingness to work eighteen hours
out Of the twenty-four under a Japanese
master.
1T Is easy to md basement rooms where
forty or more japanese are at work with
sewing machines IN the manufacture OF sin,
and muslin and lace waists and under
garments for women and children. These
garments are largely ordered by the high
class department stores in the east. The
machines are set as close as possible to-
Eether; the walls OF the basement are cur
tanned on; behind the curtains are tiers Of
hunks where the workers sleep. In one
corner is cooking stove and a table, from
which meals Of raw ash and picked turnips
are eaten. Al least forty japanese al a
time work cat and sleep in many such
dens.
laps ia This Country.
In the agricultural districts, n a white