The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-12

| Frank P. Sargent, commissioner Of
the head Of the bureau of natur-
alization Of he department Of
commerce and labor, was in Minneapo-
lis today to- inspect the local inning
ton office. Mr.. Sargent is making a
! tour Of inspection among the offices
along the northern border of the United
States. He expressed himself as well
| spector w. D. Morse and the men work
| ing under him in the local office. From
Minneapolis he returns to Washington,
| stopping off at Duluth, Detroit and the
| 500. . .. s., -.
Medical inspection Of prospective
immigrants at the port Of embarkation
one of the greatest present needs Of the
| immigration service, according to Mr..
Sargent. He has recommended legisla-
| tion along this line for the past three
years and hopes to see it enacted in
the next session: Of congress. Educa-
| tional tests for prospective immigrants
do not meet with his approval, as he be-
lieves that such tests would exclude
| many. desirable immigrants without
| touching either criminals or anarchists.
| Chinese immigration has fallen off since
is less difficulty over the admission Of
the privileged classes.
Station Surgeons Abroad.
"surgeons In the marine hospital SER
vice should be stationed at all foreign
ports Of embarkation to the United
States, in order that ineligible persons
might not be permitted to SAIL" said
Mr.. Sargent. cit is hardly humane to
fticted with contagious disease, to cross
the ocean only to be turned back or
separated when they reach this country.
The matter could be better adjusted at
the port OF embarkation, where they
are still. near their home. and might
turn back altogether or easily place In
friends: It is lot right Is let a ais
eased Immigrant spend from five to
eight days in 9 close steerage with
healthy people. In every way inspec-
tion abroad would conserve the inter
ests of the immigrant and the United
States alike. At New York 400 cases
Of trachoma alone were turned back
last year. The yearly fines paid by
diseased immigrant reach about $780,
00O, the penalty in each case being
$100. All this would be remedied by
inspection abroad.
40. Opposes Educational Test.
An educational test for immigrants
does not impress me favorably. While
| the majority Of illiterate immigrants
are frugal healthy and Industrious,
anarchists are, nearly all educated to
| some degree. AS a means Of cutting
down immigration the test is good, but
as a means Of selecting the best men it
would fail. utterly.
"since President Roosevelt issued
his letter to- the Chinese consular
agents cautioning them to be more
careful about, issuing credentials to
Chinese travellers, merchants and stu
dents we have had less difficulty about
admitting proper persons. They now
are equipped with certificates and are
passed thru without delay.
"While the immigration laws are
comparatively simple they are by no
means easy to enforce and their adj
ministration requires tact and diplo-
macy. It is impossible to distinguish
an anarchist by looking at him. The
same applies to contract laborers and
crooks. For the first and last class we
have to watch the first cabin more than
the Storage The European govern
ments are very prompt to report to our
state department the sailing Of all dan.
gerous characters.
Difficulty on Borders.
"Our greatest difficulty is along the
inland borders of our country. Thanks
to the cooperation of the Canadian
government and the transportation
companies our northern border is well
protected, but the Mexican line is the
goal Of every rejected immigrant who
has any money; The smuggling bust
ness fourishes there despite our Best ef-
forts, but we land them later some
where in the interior.
"While the law is plain we OCCASION
| ally make exceptions. A particularly
| pathetic case occurring lately was that
Of an English naval officer who landed
at San Francisco in the last stages Of
| consumption. His desire to die on Brit
ish soil was pathetic and we let him
60 thru to Canada IN 9 special car. He
| died five minutes after he crossed the
! border. s
Sometimes it is hard to draw the
| line Since I came on this trip case
has come up in New York where an ef-
fort has been made to exclude an opera
chorus on the ground that. they are con-
tract 1ahOrers IT think that thew will