The Washington herald., 1906-11-14

/ What is regarded by government au-
| thorities as the most important case ever
brought forward. involving an alleged VIC
lation OF the contract labor laws, is en-
bodied in "a charge made by the American
I Federation Of Labor that a thousand or
more immigrants recently landed at
Charleston, 5 &. came TO the United
States under contract, expressed OF i'm
piled
The case Is complicated by the fact that
the immigrants were brought over under
the sanction OF the State OF South Caro-
/ lima, and that the agent OF the State who
went abroad 10 induce immigration re-
ceived certain Instructions or directions
/ from the United States Commissioner
General of immigration as TO the man
ner in which he should procsed III secur-
ing desirable persons to settle in South
Carolina. The project. therefore. was in
augurated by the State government, and
had the Endorsement OF the Federal gov
ernment.
Union labor leaders assert. 10 IS under
stood, that Commissioner General Sargent
/ put his foot in fl when ne lent his official
name 70 South Cardinals scheme Of colo
nIzation. and that he is directly response
bic for what appears TO be a violation Of
the contract labor laws. The matter was
regarded as Of sufficient Importance by
the Acting Secretary of Commerce and
Labor TO refer it to the solicitor OF the
/ Department for a judicial opinion.
May stop immigration.
! II Il should be held that the agent OF
/ South Carolina violated the law, such
opinion might put stop 10 the movement
| that has been started to divert immIgra-
/ tiOn to the Southern States Every agent
who went abroad TO induce immigration
would be subject 10 q fine. and possibly
be liable TO criminal proceedings
! With the Industrial awakening of the
South the need has long been felt for
white labor. In the past few years num-
Der Of the Southern States have establish
/ ed bureaus OF immigration charged with
the duty Of inducing foreign immigrants
10 settle in their jurisdiction Kentucky.
South Carolina, North Carolina. and
tIcuisiaua are among the States which
have taken such a step.
The opinion OF the solicitor in this case
may be Of far-reaching Importance The
4 Chinese are the only class OF immi-
grants who may appeal 10 The courts in
the port Of entry. In the case OF other
Immigrants the decision Of the Secretary
of Commerce and Labor, who usually
acts on the advice Of the solicitor, is
final
II is said il can be shown that many
Of The immigrants VINO landed az Charles
ton were brought 10 the United States
7 under contract This may be difficult 90
prove. Certain labor leaders. it Is said,
made an effort when the immigrants dis
/ embarked, 10 question them in order 20
get evidence for submission 10 the author
ities with view 10 sUbstantiatiRg d
charge Of violation OF the statute. They
were stopped from doing so. however
Importation Is Prohibited.
The law prohibits the importation OF
foreigners under contract or agreement
express or implied. to perform labor or
service or having reference to the per
formance OF labor or service by any per
son firm or corporation in the United
States. II Is also made a violation of the
law for any person, firm or corporation to
knowingly assist. encourage or solicit the
Importation or migration Of any foreigner
or foreigners into the United States TO
perform labor or service of any kind
under contract or agreement.
1t is alleged that South CarOlina's I'm
migration agent distributed circulars
abroad. stating that certain classes OF
labor were desired in that State; that It
would be paid good wages. and that It