The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-03-04

As shown by the annual report OF the
Commissioner General of immigration
for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1908,
there was a decrease of 80 per cent in
immigration.
The total immigration for the year
was 1872 $40, ,502,470 less than for the
previous year. During the last year
l0902 aliens We're rejected, against 49,,
OG4 in the previous year.
By reason of an amendment to the
law, the report for the first time, fur
nishes figures which show approximate
ly, the net increase in population by i'm
migration. The figures indicate that
the net increase was 209,S67. OF the
aliens admitted 630,G7l were between the
ages of fourteen and fortyfour years;
1929 could neither read nor write and
2,3l0 could read, but not write There
fore, about 26 per cent. were iliterate, a
decrease of per cent in comparison
with 1907. The total amount of money
brought into the country by immigrants
was $l7,79422G, an average of almost
1923 a person.
The report says that the change in
the law extending the filming provisions
to cover the bringing of mentally as well
as physically deceased aliens to the
United States, and placing tuberculosis
under the ban, is of great benefit. Dur
ing the year 2,906 aliens were rejected
on account of physical, $40 on account
of mental and 81 on account of moral
defects; to which should be added $40
rejected for minor physical or mental
defects sufficiently grave to affect abil-
ity to earn living. The number of
criminals apprehended and deported in
creased from eleven in 1907 to forty one
in 1908. Two alien anarchists were de
ported. There was great activity in the
suppression of the importation of alien
women for immoral purposes. OF these
women l24 persons engaged in import
ing them; forty-four alien immoral wo
men and two procurers were deported
from the country; fourteen procurers
We're convicted and sentenced to terms
of imprisonment and fines. The report
shows that the enforcement of the law
relating to alien contract labor was un-
precedentedly successful. In the year
1892 contract laborers We're rejected and
240 We're arrested and expelled from the
country.
The report expresses qualification with
what has been accomplished in enforc
ing the presidents proclamation direct
ing the exclusion of japanese and Co.
rean laborers, who, after obtaining from
their own governments passports to Ha
waii, Canada or Mexico, used such pass
ports, contrary to the wishes of their
own governments, to obtain entry to
the mainland of the United States. In
the course of the previous fiscal year
3l,79S japanese aliens applied for ad
mission to the United States. In the
year ended June 80 1908, 1894 !
japanese aliens applied for ad
mission. OF those applying for admis-
sion in the last year 1925 were admit
ed. The total increase in population by
Japanese immigration was 1926.
The report indicates inadequacy of
thethe alw to accomplish, without cause
for complaint, the exclusion of Chinese.
who are barred by the statute. The
smuggling of Chinese into the United
States goes on, although many are ap
pretended in the vicinity of the land
boundaries and deported.
The report urges the government to
take effective means to prevent the con
gestion of arriving aliens in the great
centres of population. During the year
81 per cent of the aliens arriving at
United States ports were destined to
New York 1t is pointed out that some
of the states, particularly in the South
and West, are vitality interested in OBJ
tanning settlers. yet the new law"
says the report, does not, in terms ae-
cording to the literal letter, contemplate
in the exception more than that the said
states should be allowed to place in for
eign newspapers and magazines adver-
tisements describing in general terms
the opportunities for settlers and wage
earners within their limits" 1t is re-
commended that congress authorize the
extension of the work of the division
of information, so that arriving immi
grants may have definite information
concerning various desirable localities in
the United States, to the end that they
may locate in such places as will afford
them prompt and remunerative employ
ment.--Bulletin.