The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-19
Decides Important Case Regard
ing Alien Mill Hands in
South Carolina.
MAY ASSIST IN IMMIGRATION
Opinion Relates Only TO the
Facts in the Particular Case
at Issue.

portant decision has been rendered by
Secretary Strauss. Of the Department OF
Commerce and Labor as 20 the right OF
state 20 induce immigration TO that
State. The decision holds. ia brief. that
IN the circumstances there is no viola
ZION OF the immigration laws or Of the
law % prohibit the importation Of alien
contract lah0Ters ga the action Of the
state 81 South Carolina in this particular
case, tn encouraging immigration TO that
state or In paying the necessary expenses
o. inc Immigrants % coming 20 the state
ne case on which the decision IS based
originated IN South Carolina. For some
uine past the agricultural and rnauufac-
turing industries % South Caroline have
neon retarded. and were IN danger of
material Injury on account OF the lack
~ labor. In order 20 relieve this condi-
oon ~ affairs the Legislature OF South
,afoiina passed an act creating state
apartment ~ Agriculture. Commerce and
Immigration
-. j. watson was appointed commits -
honer ~ tho department Tie vas en-
powered by the act 20 make such ar
raiSenents with steamship companies
and tae immigration agencies in this
country and abroad as would serve best
the interest ~ successful immigration.
t1o necessary expenditure being made
From an appropriation provided FOR tho
purpose. The act authorized The commits
siouer ~ accept contributions from st,cb
citizens % the state az might wish 20
assist in bringing desirable immigrants
70 South Caroline.
Passage Paid.
on November 4 1906 the steamship
Nitteldnd arrived from Bremen al TIE
Port ~ Charleston. s g.. having on board
about 90 aliens destined 20 various points
s. tle state % South Carolina About
b" ~ these aliens Were Belgian nU
Operatives. their wives and children the
remainder being German farm laborers
nrt women seeking domestic service
All or these aliens were induced 10 mi
CRATE % the United States by The state
ar south Carolina. the state acting
through the medium OF its Commissioner
o. Agriculture. Commerce and Irnrslq-a-
ton. who went % Europe some time in
august Tor the purpose Of INDUCING, de-
FiF4hlc !mui grants 20 come 20 the state
The passage money Of the aliens was
paid ry tae state from a fund part OF
which was appropriated by the state and
the balance being contributed by various
corporations and individuals
Jtis fund was expended solely 40 the
discretion OF the State officials and not
under the direction Of th. contributors
The 'ommissiouer ~ Immigration Of
south Carolina found employment and
distributed these aliens 70 various points
90 t tI-aN'f anu Ali $50 N0lUk exercised
MS own Judgment as 10 the person 20
whom. and tle location 20 which. the
severed aliens should Dee sent The aliens
were free to accept or reject any Offers
or employment made 10 them
The facts 10 this case were brought
- the attention o. the Secretary OF
Commerce and Labor by the immigration
officer az the port OF Charleston. 5 C..
and Poe in turn referred the matter 20
me solicitor - the department for his
opinion as ~ whether or not the action
81 the Commissioner OF Immigration OF
south Carolina in bringing these aliens
O. tae United states was violation OF
Tho alien contract labor law The irnni-
grafton service was duly notified OF the
expected arTval OF the immigrants in quss-
ton. and the right Of such aliens 10 land
was left to the determination OF the
officers administering tie Federal jrnm,-
grafton laws.
States Richfe