The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-03-02
ADVANCE REPORT
ON Immigration
Many UndesirabIes Still Get
Into This Country
CRIMINALS DODGE PORTS
Field investigation is Being Made In
the South to Find Out the induce
ments and Obstacles to
General immigration.
CRIMINALS DODGE PORTS

showing the far-reaching character of
the work of the joint commission on i'm
migration, which was appointed by Con-
gress on February 20, 1907, were present
ed to Congress today through the pub
LEGATION of a preliminary report by the
commission. This report deals with prac
tically every phase of the immigration
question, including Oriental aliens and
other excluded classes, peonage, charity
among immigrants, while slave traffic,
conditions of steerage, anthropology,
congestion in large cities, alien GRIMM
atty, competition of immigrants, school
inquiries, administration of the immigra-
ton laws, distribution of immigrants and
other questions.
No conclusions have been reported by
the commission, but the scope of the
work is shown in mannef which pre-
sages extensive legislation in the future.
1t is stated that If the plans of the COM
mission are realized the various lines Of
work outside Washington will be COM
pleted in early fall probably by septem-
Der 10. The entire investigation VIII
be probably finished during the next fis-
cal year. The report was printed and
circulated today to show the necessity
for an appropriation of $25O,ooO to carry
on and complete the work. Thus far the
expenses of the commission from April
/, 1907, to February q, 1909. have been
$S44,796 There are at present 1913 per-
sons employed under the commission.
Undesirable Persons.
The commission says it is generally adj
mitted by those acquainted with the sub
ject that Notwithstanding the fact that
the present law proposes to provide for
the exclusion of every undesirable immi-
grant thousands of undeniably undesir-
able persons are admitted each year. 1t
has been found that the law in theory
SO far as its exclusion provisions are
concerned, is exceptionally strong, but in
effect 1t is in some respects weak and
Intellectual.
The commission says it has discovered
several sources of this weakness and 1t
is its purpose to find the others and
recommend some effective remedies.
me of the most important features of
the work is connected with evasions of
the law resulting in the importation OF
excluded classes. Notwithstanding the ex-
penditurss of about $4,000 annually to
enforce this law, the commission finds
that 1t does not prevent the coming Oh
Chinese la.borers In considerable num-
bers.
An extensive investigation is being made
into the question of the Importation and
harboring of women for immoral pur-
poses The results show that many wom-
en- are being constantly imported under
conditions which amount to absolute slav-
cry As the results of its inquiries and
the evidence IL has gathered, there has
been a noteworthy attack upon this bus
mess, which has resulted in a very
marked decrease since the commission
began its work.
Diseased and Criminal.
1t has been found that in numerous in
stances persons afflicted with contagious
diseases and even criminals of danger
Gus type, have been able to eyade the
immigration laws and come to this coun-
try under the pretense of being seamen.
The utmost Importance is attached to
the inquiry being made into the subject
of alien criminality. The higher Grim
inal records of New York city are, at
the request of the commission, keeping
records in great detail of each person con-
NlcteQ OF Crime ana IL 10 nteuuou thaI
a study of foreign-born criminals and
criminals of the second generation will be
made in that city. The investigation,
however, ST not confined to the larger
cities but is being carried into smaller
centers and Industrial communities in
various parts of the country.
The most extensive and important work
undertaken by the commission is the
general field investigation into the eco
fa1 utsatx .f it.,t,z Txr.ny ,fe
in various sections of the country.
Field Investigation.
A special field investigation is being
conducted in selected localities in the
south and it will cover the sentiment Of
legislative bodies as indicated by legisla-
ton enacted affecting immigration. In
ducements and obstacles to immigration,
such as climate, character of soil, free
or cheap land amount, variety and reg
ularity of work throughout the year,
wages paiC and hours of employment
will be shown Information is being gath
cred also concerning the employment Of
women aud children, the prejudice against
races, the presence or scarcity of fellow
countrymen, church and school facilities
and vast amount of other information.
The inves tlgation Of Oriental immigra-
ton has been confined thus far to the
Rocky nc untain and Pacific coast re-
glcns and special emphasis has been
placed upon the inquiry concerning the
Japanese. Without the census recently
ordered in California, the agents Of the
commission claim they have fairly &C
curate information concerning the num-
bers of Japanese in California, their dis
tribution by counties and Industrial dis
tricts, their occupations and trades. In
California and Washington the report,
when made, will cover the presence of
Japanese, Chinese and Hindus.
Benefit of Schools.
The public school is declared by the
commission to be the most potent influ-
ence in promoting the assimilation and
Americanization or the immigrant
The commission expects to be able to
report at an early date the effect of in
ttr-marriags between the native-born and
Immigrant and with one another to de-
tel mine whether the declecterious infiu-
ences results or whether beneficial infiu-
ences will not be felt
Peonage is being made the subject OF
a special inquiry.
One Of the most interesting subjects
is an Investigation being made in nearly
a hundred cities to show to what extent
the immigrant is the recipient OF charity.
sperry viii Ask Relief.
washington. March lit is now un-
derstood that Rear Admiral Sperry will
~, -. orx,.tcatfon for relief from tha