The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-25

4 determined effort IS about to be made
by the Federal government to break up
the operations of certain padrones vino
are now. and have for several years
been, engaged in the traffic Of importing
Greek boys, who are held for long periods
IN what amounts to absolute slavery.
The governors of several States, the
mayors of many large cities, and other
persons have filed complaints with the
Secretary of Commerce and Labor that
has resulted in an order calling for
thorough investigation of the padrone
system with special reference to the i'm
portation of Greek boys.
Greek Government to Assist.
Special agents of the department are
already at work in New York under the
direction OF Alcibiades Seraphic, a
Greek. inspector-in-charge at ports in
Florida where aliens are admitted.
In the movement Just started by the
Federal authorities to break up this traf-
fic the good Offices of the Greek govern
ment have been enlisted, and the foreign
Office at Athens has given assurances that
everything will be done at that end to
prevent the shipment of Greek children
TO the United States. 1t is understood
thar the Greek government may even 90
farther, in consequence of the steady IN
roads upon the population OF the COun-
try by emigration. and refuse 10 issue
passports to subjects who give America
as their destination
Little BOOtbIacks Held in Bondage.
Information has been in the hands Of
the Commissioner General Of Immigra-
ton Tor a long time that the Greek boys,
many Of them Of tender age, employed in
boot-shining shops and in other places
were practically held in bondage. Efforts
have been made repeatedly to secure evil
dence TO this effect. but the officials have
heretofore failed in steps taken in this
direction. That padrones are engaged in
the business of importing Greek boys
and that the boys come here under con-
tracts, generally made with their parents,
is known as a matter Of fact, but it has
been found 70 be almost impossible TO
secure positive evidence on this point
The statement is made by an immigrant
inspector that the Greek boys brought TO
this country are we'll coached in advance,
that they tell straight stories upon ar
rival in New York, and though some
times kept under surveillance after land
warranting either the deportation OF the
boys or the punishment Of the men sup
posed to be guilty Of bringing them here
in violation of law.
Pits Greek Against Greek.
The government has decided to pit
Greek against Greek, and accordingly
AIcibiades Seraphic, one of the most
competent officials in the immigration
service, has been put on the job to Sc
cure evidence against his cOUntrymen
who are known TO be violating the laws
Seraphic went TO New York on this mis-
sion a few days ago after an extended
conference with the officials in Washing
ton.
He was told TO map out his plans and
execute them as he saw 1T, He was
charged 30 make a strong effort to OBJ
tain evidence upon which a case might be
brought against the men who are behind
the padrOne system whereby thousands
of Greek boys have been imported into
this country during the past few years
IL is understood that SeTaphic already
has in his possession a good deal of in
formation on the subject.