The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-01
Files a Preliminary Report
Showing Progress Made.
NO RECOMMENDATION
But a Large Amount OF InfOr-
nation Has Been Gathered.
Needs S25O,OOO to Carry on the
Work Eegun.

showing the far reaching character of
the work of the joint commission on
immigration which was appointed by
congress on February 20, 1907, were
presented to congress today through
the publication of a preliminary re-
port of the commission. This re-
port deals with practically every
phase in the immigration question in
Guiding Oriental aliens and other ex-
cluded classes. peonage, charity
among immigrants, white slave traffic,
conditions of steerage, anthropology
congestion in large cities, alien
crfminality. competition of immi-
grants, school inquiries administra-
ton of the immigration laws, distribu-
ton of immigrants and other ques-
tions.
by the commission. but the scope of
the work is shown in a manner which
presages extensive legislation in the
future. 1t is stated that if the plans
of the commission are realized the
various lines of work outside of Wash
ington will be completed in the early
fall. probably by September Is. The
entire investigation probably will be
finished during the next fiscal year;
The report was printed and circulated
today to show the necessity for an
appropriation of $250.00O to carry on
and complete the work. There are
at present 1,9OS persons employed un-
der the commission.
Law Weak in Effect.
The commission says it is generally
admitted by those acquainted with
the subject that, Notwithstanding the
fact that the present law proposes to
provide for the exclusion of every un-
deSira Bile immigrant, thousands of un-
deniably undesirable persons are ad-
mitted each year. 1t has been found
that the law in theory far as its
exclusion provisions are concerned is
exceptionally strong, but in effect it
is in some respects weak and in
effectual. The commission says it has
discovered several sources of this
weakness and it is it's purpose to find
the others and to recommend some
effective remedies.
One of the most important features
of the work is connected with the
evasions of the law resulting in the
importation of excluded classes Not
withstanding the expenditure of about
100000 annually to enforce this law
the commission finds that it does not
prevent the coming of Chinese lab
orers in considerable numbers.
An extensive investigation is be-
ing made into the question of the i'm
portation and harbouring of women
for immoral purposes. The results
show that many women are being
constantly imported under conditions
which amount to absolute slavery AS
the result of it's inquiries and the
evidences it has gathered there has
been noteworthy attack upon this
business which has resulted in a very
marked decrease, since the commits
sion began its work.
1t has been found that in numerous
instances persons afflicted with con-
tagious diseases, and even criminals
of dangerous type have been able
to evade the immigration laws and
come to this country under the pre-
tense of being seamen.
Alien Criminals
The utmost Importance is attached
to the inquiry being made into the
subject of alien criminality The
higher criminal courts of New York
city are at the request if the COM
mission keeping records in neat detail
of each person convicted of crime,
and it is intended that a study of for
eign born criminals and criminals of
the second generation will be made
in that city. The investigation how
ever, is 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 of investigation
into the economic and social status
of immigrants in various sections of
the country. The most important
topics being covered is the race of
employees in each occupation, years
of work and discrimination for or
against immigrants in EMPLOYMENT
wages and housing.
In taking up the congestion of i'm
migrants in large cities the commits
sion is observing communities in
habited principally by members of
one race, as to whether the clinging
together of members of the same race
handlcaps them in their strength for
advancement and prevents their rapid
assimilation and Americanization
A care1uI inquiry among wage earn
ers who are forced to compete with
immigrant labor is being made among
workers in the trades and occupations
In which immigrants are largely
engaged.
A special field of investigation is
being conducted in selected localities
in the south. and it will cover the SEN
timent of legislative bodies as in
dicated by legislation enacted affecting
immigration Inducements and
obstacles to immigration such as cli-
mate, character of soil, free or cheap
lands, amount, variety and regularity
of work throughout the year the
wages and hours of employment will
be shown.
Information is also being gathered
concerning the employment of women
and children, the prejudice against
races, the presence or scarcity of fell
low countrymen, church and school
facilities. and vast amount of other
information.
The investigation of Oriental i'm
migration has been confined thus far
to the Rocky Mountains and Pacific
coast sections and special emphasis
has been placed upon the inquiry con-
corning the Japanese. without the
census recently ordered in California
the commission claim they have fairly
accurate information concerning the
number of Japanese in California.
their distribution by counties and in
dustrial districts, their occupations
and trades. In California and Wash
Ia .nn1,-