The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-01-09
HITS
METCALF AND
ROOSEVELT
State Convention Of Labor
Unions Scores Chiefs on
Japanese School Matter
SECRETARY GRILLED
FOR FALSE REPORT
Employment of Chinese at
Panama is Denounced as
Slavery by Coolie System

D4dNCA 0N NyOCAAC h1.y DOSA@@
STOCKTON. Jam THE second day
Of the state Federation OF Labor con-
venriOn was enIfvened by several fOrci-
BILE speeches on the Japanese question,
the most Important address being de-
Iivered by Walter Macarthur. He pre-
scented 1hree sets of resolutions, one
dealing with the employment of Chi
neHe on the Panama canal, another ex-
coriatinE President RoOsevelf's utter
nnces on the action of the San Fran
cisco Board Of EducatIOn An giving
separate schools 10 Japanese, and an
other on the position assumed by Sec
retnry MetcaIf.
Macarthur was at his best, and his
hearers were never in doubt as TO his
views on the various resolutions under
discussion. The resolutions dealing
with President Roosevelts attitude
toward the people Of San Francisco for
separating the japanese from the white
children in, the public schools are as
follows:
Whereas. President Roosevelt in his message
% the present session OF Congress, makes certain
statements concerning the attitude Of the people
of San Francisco and one or Two other places 10
tLe.r treatment o. The Japa1tse now residing
in these localities with reference speciheaLig %
the conmon school regulations. adopted by the
San Francisco Board Of Education, providing FOR
the accommodation fn separate schoolhouses Of
Caucssiah and Mongolian pupils. and
Whereas. The President chsracterizes these
roaIl llHff ions QE Of tu1ocf vorfft
feeling" wicked absurdity" and as q con
fession OF inferiority IN our civilization; and
Whereas. Based upon such conception Of our
municipal and State policy, and the motive In
spring il, the President declares his intention
70 deal summarily," so far as the present
power OF the Federal Government permits, with
the very small body Of our citizens that act
badly" and gives notice that "in the matter
now before me affecting the japanese. everything
that is in my power to do VIII be done, and all
Of the forces military and civil. Of the United
States which ] may lawfully employ VIII be
80 employee. and
Whereas, The President, stin proceeding upon
the grounds herein noted makes certain recon-
mendatOns 70 Congress. TO wit: That an act
be passed specifically providing for the natursll-
zation Of japanese who come here intending 10
become American citizens, and that the criminal
and civil status Of the United States be 50
dent acting for the United States Government
which IS responsible in our international rela-
tious. 10 enforce the rights Of aliens under tres-
Ties; therefore, be it
Resolved by the California State Federation
OF Labor, in meeting assembled That the views
expressed by President Roosevelt concerning our
attitude toward the Japanese indicate misinfor-
nation or misconstruction Of the facts: that this
threat 70 deal summary'' with US is therefore
entirely uncalled for, and bis request for an en-
largement Of his powers quite unnecessary;
iurtler
Resolved That the action Of the San Francisco
Board Of Eudcation, in providing separate school
houses for Caucasian and Mongolian pupils.
which action is authorized and in fact required
by the State constitution is indOrsed and sup
ported by the practically unanimous sentiment
oi the State, and cannot by any reasonable pro-
cess Of construction be regarded either in intent
or IN effect as shutting them (the Japanese)
out from tie common schools" and therefore not
open to the terms Of expletiye which the Presi-
Gent has applied % IL; further
Resolved. That we insist upon and shall 10
the limit OF our power maintain our rights up-
der the constitution OF the United States and the
constitution Of California, and as a matter OF
practical necessity to the moral and mental weI
being of our people, 70 segregste the pupils in
tbe common schools In such manner as reason
end experience shall dictate and 10 adopt and
enforce such other regulstins as may be deemed
wise and ezpedient in the conduct OF our edu-
cational and other State or municipal affairs;
further.
Resolved That in its treatment OF the Japan
ose and other aliens now resident within its Dor
dcrs. California cannot justly be charged with
unfair discrimination, but on the contrary is
enfiued to credit for liberality exceeding that
of many other States in the matter OF the rights
End privileges accorded aliens: further
Resolved. That we deplore the tenor Of Presi-
dent RooseVelt's message in 80 far as Il treats
of the Japanese in the common schools Of San
Francisco. rs misleading in its statements un-
warranted In It's infersnces and conclusions and
unworthy the dignity Of the high officer whence
D. emanates further.
Resolved. That we resent the Presidents
threats of compusion by armed force in mat
ter clearly within the purview Of municipal and
State authority. insulting TO the State ana
ts sn iniolerabie reflection upon it's rights as q
SovereigD constituent OF the United States; fur
fher.
Resolved. That We opposed To the Presi-
3cnts recommendation that an act be- passed
specifically providing for the naturalization OF
Japanese and that the powers Of the Federal
Government be enlarged Tor the purpose Of sub
rerfine the proper authority Of this and other
states; further.
Resolved, That the powers vested IN the Fed
sral Government by the respective States are
designed Tor use IN protecting the latter in the
exercise Of their reserved rights and functions
consequently any attempt OF threat to use these
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