New-York tribune., 1907-01-03
IMMIGRATION BILL PLAN.
Fight on Educational Clause-Mr.
Sargent's Suggestions.
FRO n The Tribune Bureau.l

Washington Jan. "A vigorous effort is on foot
10 defeat the educational clause in the immigration
bill which passed the Senate at the last session
and was left in conference. 1t is the purpose of
those opposed TO the law obtain agreement
on a substitute for the educational clause which
will provide for medical inspectors at those United
States consulates which are frequently called upon
10 pass on the manifests of ships carrying immi-
grants. and medical inspection OF Wouiu-oe lnrni-
grants
Frank p Sargent. the Commissioner General of
immigration regards medical inspection of would
be immigrants as highly important. and favors
other changes in the law. in particular one where
by specific provision requiring immigrants TO have
a given amount of money shall be inserted and an
other imposing fines vessel owners bringing over
immigrants who cannot be landed
There were eleven thousand immigrants turned
away from our shores last year. after more or less
detention at the immigrant stations. and the hard
ships inflicted on these poor people were unneoes-
sarv and serious" said Mr. Sargent to-day. Now
all this could have been avoided had the law been
slightly amended. The present law provides that
steamship companies shall be fined for bringing
Deople afflicted with certain contagious diseases.
etc TO this country. but il does not provide fine
for bringing over others who cannot be permitted
to land. For instance, persons who suffer from no
contagious disease and are not insane, but who
are manifesty physically or mentally incapable OF
supporting themselves cannot be permitted TO land
and vet the steamship companies are constantly
bringing over persons of this class. or course we
reject them but we can impose no fine and the
vessel owners appear willing take the chance of
landing them, even though they must rim the risk
Of having to carry them back to the point OF en-
barkation
Again we are constantly having persons landed
a+ our stations particularly Ellis Island. who nave
no money OF course, persons without money or
friends cannot land but may come 70 meet trienGs
already in this country and who Will De IesponslnIe
for their support Their friends are probably Will
ing To look after them they get them in
charge but the immigrants too OFTEN iand az E.ins
island expecting TO go to friends in Colorado or
faIIfornia or some other distant point, with per
hans a dollar or only few cents In their posses
sion. OF course, we cannot let them start out on
a long tourney like that with no money, even
though tey have their railroad tickets They would
starve on the way Consequently We must detain
them at our always crowded stations while their
friends are communicated with and sufficient
money obtained TO send them on their way. Then
oT in the hospital other way incapaciated
from helping them and they must be detained.
Now the law should provide. in my Judgment that
every adult Immigrant must have In his possession
a given sum, say $40. and every head OF a family
a larger sum, say 80
Again. believe the law should be SO amended
az 10 forbid persons who have passed a certain
age from coming here at ALL also persons under
given age-young people too immature to take
care of themselves In a strange country
'And above all, the vessel owners should in every
case be fined for bringing TO our shores any per-
son OF whom reasonable diligence would have
shown that lie she not qualified TO land.
THAT would save us incalcuable difficulty and
would avoid the infiicton of severe hardships on
people whom we are now obliged TO turn back. Were
there such fines imposed few would arrive whom
we could not admit