The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-16
No Reason for Prejudice Against
Them, But Opposes the
immigration Bill
INIMICAL To THE SOUTH'S
NEEDED IMMIGRATION
Roasts resident-senator Bacon Cons
tinues His Speech Opposing Ad-
mnistration Measure-Lodqe
Threatens Closed Doors.

Washington. February 15.-The Senate
resumed consideration of the conference
report on the immigration bill today Nj.
| Bacon continued his speech in opposition
to certain provisions which he regards
as inmieal to southern industries His
was not a Fictitious objection. but he
insisted on explaining the precise point
Of his objection to the report Mr.. Bacon
said that under the ruling of the depart-
ment of commerce and labor the con-
tract labor clause of the immigration
laws has been SO construed as to permit
/ the state immigration commission of
South Carolina to receive contributions
of funds from private individuals and use
4 the money to encourage and assist ilmmi-
grafton. Extended preparations were be-
ing made by other sNuthern states 10
| take advantage of this construction OF
the law. All that was asked, he said,
was that the law be allowed to remain aa
1t now is The conference report would
prevent any action by STATE.
Lodge Replies.
Inserting a reply IN Mr.. Bacon's speech.
Mr. Lodge said there had not been tho
slightest intention ON the part of the
| eonferees to modify in any way ths
/ clause which gives power 10 state 10
take steps to induce immigration.
4 There was" ne said. mo intention on
the part of the oonferees 10 limit the
| power of the state, II those clauses
| which limit contract labor laws have
! been strengthened it has heen without
any reference to the states"
! Referring to the South Carolina SYSTEM
| Mr. Lodge maintained that II that svs-
/ tenn was TO be extended there was not a
/ state which could not, under the guiso
/ OF state agency with funds provided by
| railroads and manufacturers Introduce
! any number of contract laborers Mr.
| Lodge had no doubt that many states
would be quick to take advantage of the
| south Carolina ruling. This ruling of the
department he regarded as a CLOSE case
and believed 1t might have been presented
differently and with dffrent result
! If the present bill strengthens the con-
tract labor law, he was glad of it.
Bacon VIII Take Time.
Mr. Bacon disclaimed any intention
other than to make a legitimate discus
sion of the question but indicated lie
! should take all the time he deemed neces-
! sary. lie again expressed regret that
the Pacific coast provision was coupled
with the immigration amendments. It
was not necessary to have resorted to this
eNpedent. He believed a separate meas
ure could have received a unanimous vote
in the Senate
Senator Galllnger expressed sympathy
for the situation in the south and sus-
tained Mr.. Baeon's contention that the
situation was one of embarrassment as he
should feel compelled to vote for the re-
port. because of the Pacific coast pro-
vision Many other senators. Mr.. Bacon
| I-aI In Tho ..aaff
Mr. Bacon then entered a detailed
discussion Of the amendment to which
he objected saying it utterly nullifed
the present. construction OF the law.
Mr. Bacon concluded shortly before
O'Clock and Mr. Tilman at once took tho
floor. He began discussion of the South
Carolina system, but Indicated that his
main purpose was to review another part
of the conference report.
TiIman Is Heard.
everyone supposed that this immigra-
ton bill was dead' said Mr.. Tillman.
But, 10 and behold, an eSigency has
arisen on the Pacific coast Strenuous
individuals are at work to accomplish
a certain end The able man who pre-
sides over the state department drafts
an amendment to the law passed last
May by the Senate and last June by
the House, and which has been In con-
ference ever since The conferees take
that distinguished gentleman into their
conference and the Senate is notified that
this bill must go through. Why? Speak
ing in plain terms. to keep the Japanese
out Of California. But there is two
fold object involved In the measure. Tho
first Of these Is intended to keep Japanese
! laborers off the Pacific coast, ana tho
/ conferences in furtherance Of policy
/ which looks to sectional legislation, mas
/ INCORPORATED a provision which changes
( the law in regard to contract labor, whicn
/ win keep out the little dribble or Inn
/ migrants who have started to go soutn-
| ward
| South Ignored.
serhe south's interests are as usually ig-
! nored; the Pacific coast, of course, il
| taken care Of" continued Mr. Tflhnsn.
At. this point Mr.. Flint of California
| complained that there was no necessity
of bringing tho California relief measure
| into the discussion.
4 Mr. Tfl1man contended that 1t was I'M
\ possible to do otherwise than consider the
two questions together as the conference
committee refused tc withdraw the re-
port.
\ Continuing he said:
= II will vote for an exclusion act to-
= Aorrow which Will keep the Japanese out.
! !, No not see why there should be preju-
tia9e against them, yet l am willing 10
lp them out if it brings war.
X Lodge Speaks In Low Tone.
- .aater Lodge arose at the last remark.
H. ne said in a low tone 1--WE ara going
20 20 uAgcuss that question, think we ought
u ~ g' so behind closed doors"
am perfectly willing 10 go behind
cios doors" Mr.. 1ilman responded
plon Auy. perhaps l can get a heart to
ne me- Walk with some people who will not
s'ss IRE and listen but who have got
oiueIs from the White House that this
1
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