Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-01-12
DILLlNeHAM's BILL.

Vermont Senator at Work on Measure
Dealing with immigration to BE Intro
dueed Soon.
Senator w. p. Dillingham;, chairman OF
the committee on immigration, is prepsr-
ing a bill to be introduced in the Senate
during the next week or ten days, which
will deal with the several problems pre-
scented in the enormous increase In the
alien element coming to our shores every
year, says a Washington despatch to the
Brooklyn Eagle. The immigration situa-
ton, at least the legislative end OF 1t,
is very interesting and quite little COM
plicated, so that It is impossible accurate
ly to foretell what Congress may do with
the matter at this session.
Chairman Dillingham; has been display
ing a surprising degree Of personal inter-
est in immigration affairs. He has made
a number OF trips to Ellis island where he
has studied at short range various phases
OF the situation. He has induced num-
Der Of his colleagues to make similar In
spection trips to the port Of New York.
and the results of their observations are
expected to show in the development of
legislative policy differing materially
from that advocated by the administra-
ton.
1t now appears that there is very lit
tie unanimity Of opinion among the Presi-
dent, Commissioner of immigration Sar-
gent and Senator Dillingham; in the mat
ter OF immigration. Mr.. Sargent, influenced
by the labor interests, takes the most adj
vanced stand, and advocates radical steps
that will cut down the immigration tide.
The President has adopted only few Of
Mr.. Sargents restrictive suggestions, and,
while he favors legislation that will check
the flood Of aliens, occupies something Of
a neutral position. Senator Dillingham; is
ur,1 Fav- W,sRk
been converted to the idea that heavy
immigration constitutes a dangerous
menace to the country and its institutions.
He believes that some of the defects and
inequalities OF the existing laws should
be corrected, but is not at all ready to
accept the radical program proposed
by Mr.. Sargent.
Both the President and Mr.. Sargent
have given their approval to the plan of
limiting the number of aliens coming an
nually to the United States by apportion-
ing the number of such persons in direct
ratio to the tonnage Of vessels. BY raising
or lowering this ratio Congress will have
1t in its power to place an exact limit on
the number OF foreigners that may be i'm
ported each year.
II is known that this proposition does
not appeal favorably to Chairman Dilling-
ham. 1t Is likely to receive little con-
sideration at the hands of a great many
trans Atlantic transportation companies.
Any immigration bill that hits blow at
the industry of bringing aliens to our
shores Is bound to encounter stiff opposi-
ton in the Senate. Consequently, 1t is
not believed that this means of restricting
immigration will make any more Roadway
than the old time educational test, which
has now been dropped by everybody save
Senator Lodge and a few members of the
Boston immigration Restriction league.
1t appears, therefore, that no scheme
acceptable to all the parties most directly
interested has been proposed for cutting
down the volume of immigration. Last
| year 1,000.000 aliens were landed here and
| the total will probably be larger during
| the current year. The clamor to put up
the bars against this horde of foreigners
! has always been loudest from those out
side OF Congress and as the labor element
| has not vet been greatly stirred up over
the dangers Of the situation 1t is more
than likely that the problem will remain
unsolved by adjournment day.
Senator Dillingham; may determine to
leave the bigger questions out OF his i'm
migration bill, and merely attempt to cor
/ rect some of the evils and shortcomings
/ OF the present statute. The law in re-
gard to the excluded classes will be
bolstered up so as to cover many objec-
tionable persons who are now admitted.
For instance owing TO a hair-splitting
diStlnction made by officers OF the marine
| hospital service. imbeciles may not be ex-
cluded. although the law bars idiots. Two
| girls. twins, 20 years of age, are now held
at Ellis island awaiting action on a pro-
test against their landing One of the
| girls is perfectly normal and the other
| is an imbecile. Mr.. Sargent has practical
| ly decided TO stretch the law and reject
the mentally defective girl. The Dilling-
ham bill will provide for clearing up this
] point. so that all persons so diseased,
mentally and physically, as to operate
| against their becoming desirable citizens,
will be clearly barred by the law.
| The President. Senator Dillingham; Sec
rotary Metcalf and Mr.. Sargent are united
in the belief that II is necessary to pro-
vide for medical inspection of aliens
abroad. Provision for this will undoubted-
| ly be made in the first immigration bill
that is passed. Such a measure will also
give greater privileges than are now en-
joyed by the representatives of foreign
governments travelling in the United
States. A prohibition against the landing
of children under II, not accompanied by
their parents, may be made in addition
| The Dillingham; bill will doubtless ignore
| the extreme recommendations of Mr. Sar-
| gent concerning the age limitation and
money requirement. Mr.. Sargent thinks
that every person coming to this country
should possess $25 or $780, or at least
enough money to provide transportation
to the inland point of destination He
would also bar all persons over 60 years
of age, unless they have relatives here
| able to care for them.