New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-13
CHINESE EXCLUSION.
Prospect of Modifying the Present
Lac.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]


Washington. Feb 12.-Representatlve Perkins OF
NewYorl1. chairman Of the subcommittee Of the
Foreign Affairs Committee of the House. which is
preparing TO report bill modifying the present
Chinese exclusion law had long conference with
President Roosevelt to-day and after leaving the
White House. announced that hearings would be
begun Thursday for the purpose OF obtaining
whatever views the interested public might have
TO offer
1T is no easy task" said Mr.. Perkins ito make
law that VIII please the Chinese government
and at the time keep the bars up against the
admission of the coolies. very much doubt my
self that VIII be able to prepare measure that
will find favor in China The only kind of bill
that the Chinese would like would let them all in
without restriction, but. rather than pass that
kind. it would be better to go without Chinese
trade for the rest Of national life. The Presi
dent of course is very anxious that make a
law which will give the privileged classes OF China
unhampered passage through our ports. But he is
just determined any be that the
American workman shall not suffer by the whole
sale immigration of the coolies.
'One suggestion that has been made and which
the President thinks a good one is to provide for
the examination in China of the Chinese who intend
TO to this country. Boards composed of agents
of the Department Of Commerce and Labor could
be established at certain Chinese ports, and there
examine all passengers bound for America Those
that pass the examination successfully and en-
titled TO admission at American ports would be
furnished with proper certificates which on pres
entation at ports would admit their owners
without further trouble. Those who failed to meet
the requirements of laws would be refused
certificates and would not make the long and
pensive journey BY following this method the work
of the immigration officers in this country would be
greatly hghtened, and at the same time a good
deal of money would be saved by the Chinese and
the steamship companies. AS the law now stands.
the immigrants who turned back from our ports
become a charge upon the steamship companies
which bring them here Their board must be paid
by the carrying concerns. well the expense Of
taking them back TO their point of embarkauon."
The great interest which is being taken in the
Chinese question because OF the boycott against
American goods is shown in the large number OF
applications made members of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs by persons who desire TO be heard
in connection with legislation proposed to modify
the exclusion laws The bill under consideration by
the committee is that of Mr.. Foster. of Vermont.
which admits all Chinese, except coolies. The Call
fornia delegation is up in arms against this meas
ure. and a committee, consisting OF Representa-
tives Needham McKinlay and Hayes, has been ap-
pointed by them oppose any such legislation and
to present the arguments of the Pacific Coast be-
fore the Foreign Affairs Committee. The large
commercial interests affected by the boycott are,
on the other hand, to secure hearing before
that will satisfy the Chinese that they are not be-
ing unduly Disseminated against and will induce
them 10 lift the boycott. The New-York Chamber
of Commerce has asked for hearing, and the
American Asiatic Association viii be represented
together with other commercial organizations.