Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-07

into certain urban districts, places already
congested and highly rented, owing to the
demand for working-class dwelling accom-
mediation In them. Their presence is ac-
companied by extreme overcrowding the
grossly insanitary effects of which are
augmented by their uncleanliness of per-
son and habits, and the overcrowding is
often of a kind that is inconsistent with
decency.
On the whole, though the immigrants
OF TINS class are. In the main, industrious
ana only compete with native labor in
lew trades tthe number, however, is in
creasing, and is likely to increase) in
which their presence has led to new and
widespread activity, yet, as their economic
success Is obtained by very detrimental
lowering Of the standard of living, as they
become In many instances almost inevitably
victims OF sweaters and as the eviction
Of the native population by them is an
undoubted and grievous hardship, it seems
indubitable that the legislation recommend
ed by the royal commission. and embodied,
with some slight notifications. in the act
Of 1905. was wise and requisite.
The aliens act may be conveniently di-
vided into two parts, the first dealing
grants at the ports Of arrival, and the
second with their expulsion after they have
succeeded in entering the country.
After January 1, 1906. an immigrant ship
storage passengers. or such lesser num-
Der as may be from time to time fixed
by the home secretary-will only be al
lowed to land those passengers at port
where there is an immigration officer APP
pointed under the act, and then only after
leave to land has been given in each case
by that officer Each immigrant outside
the f1rst-class passengers will be subjected
to two-fold examination-by the tmmi-
grafton officer and by medical inspector.
The tests to be applied are those of eco
and moral character. If an immigrant
comes under one or other of the follow
ing categories he may be rejected as I'M
desirable
a. If he cannot show that he has in his
possession, or is in a position to obtain
the means Of decently supporting himself
and his dependents; or
90 If he is lunatic an idiot, or,
owing to any disease or intirmity, appears
likely to become a charge upon the rates,
or otherwise detriment to the public; or
90 If he has been sentenced in foreign
country for an extradition crime.
The transmigrant traffic also comes with
I'm the scope of the act. and some account
of this should be of interest to the United
States. AS every one knows, there is very
considerable traffic in aliens. principally
from Northern and Eastern Europe, who
enter Great Britain by the eastern ports
and pass out by the western to other des-
tinattons. Briefly, 1t Is enacted that aliens
having in their possession prepaid through
tickets to places outside the united king
dom will be admitted without examina ton,
provided that security Is given by the ship
ping companies concerned that they will
proceed out of the united kingdom, or, be-
ing rejected in another country, will not
enter the united kingdom, except for the
purpose Of transit. This simply means
that these transmigrants will pass through
the country under bond, and If any are
rejected at Ellis Island elsewhere they
will pass through again on their way back
to their own homes under the same bond.
One result of this-for the penalty for any
infraction Is severe-will almost certainly
be that the shipping companies will be
more careful than ever to select only the
most desirable aliens for the American
market.
that portion Of the act which confers the
power of expelling undesirables." The
home secretary will be able, at his dscre-
ton, to make order of expulsion in the
case of any alien who is certified by
court
of certain specified offences against the
law: or
(2) To have been in receipt of poor-law
relief, such as disqualiies for the parlia-
mentary franchise. or to have been found
wandering without ostensibie means or
subsistence. or to have been living in over
crowded conditions. or
go To have been sentenced abroad for an
extradttion crime.
Provisions CO and CD will only apply
within twelve months after the arrival of
the alien in Great Britain.
well give rise to grave international ques- |
lions. and 1t is impossible to predict what |
may happen Until they have actually been |
put IN force in some particular instance.
The whole act may, In fact be described |
how pu the maehiners viii Work ONE eah ra
will run smoothly and effectively, or |
whether 1t will break down from the