Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-16
TO BAR CRIMINALS
Department of Commerce and
Labor to Submit Bill.
FOR ALL CLASSESO FALIENS
Modifes immigration Act of Feb
ruary 20, 1907.
CHECKS WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC
Will Enable Government to Arrest
and Try the Case Wherever the
Subject Is Found.
CHECKS WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC

Drastic Legislation that shall be retro
active in its remedial effect is to be en-
ployed by this country to stamp out the
white slave traffic" and suppress, as far
as law will do it. the importation and i'm
migration of aliens morally defective Fol-
lowing the publication of the recent re-
port of the immigration commission con-
corning the traffic in immoral women
and the Introduction by Senator billing
ham of bill making those who engage
in such traffic guilty of a felony, punish
able with a fine of not more than $1,000
in addition to imprisonment not exceed
ing ten years. and enabling the govern
ment to arrest and deport immoral alien
women without regard TO the limit of
time OF their residence in this country,
the Department of Commerce and Labor
will soon submit for the consideration of
Congress comprehensive bill modifying
the immigration act of February 20, 1907,
which will not only meet the require
ments of this subject, but extend to all
classes of alien criminals as well, who
undertake to secure a foothold In the
United States.
The department has found itself often
hampered in its effort TO enforce the
provisions of the present immigration
act. Courts as rule, it is declared,
tend toward leniency in many instances.
In the case OF the contract labor law,
1t is said it has been found time and
again that the law was not as specific
as it should be, and evils have resulted.
Then, again. the department has found
that the penalties imposed for serious
violations of the law were not severe
enough to carry weight with the criminal
al Fr.. Il
Follows Dillingham; Bill.
The bill introduced by Senator Duling-
ham. as the result of the immigration
commissions report. follows closely the
lines advocated by the Department Of
Commerce and Labor. 1t applies, how
ever, only to the white slave traffic"
The desire of the Department of Com
merce and Labor, especially of those who
have the administration of the immigra-
ton laws under their supervision, is to
cover all classes of criminals in such an
effective manner that escape through jul
dicial leniency, or the inadequate language
of the law itself will be impossible. IS
Senator Dillingham's proposed bill re-
moves the three-year limit of the present
immigration act within which an alien
woman engaged in immoral business
may be deported. II enables the govern
ment to arrest and try the case wherever
the criminal is found. instead of at the
port of entry. as decided in some cases, or
the final stopping place of the alien, as
decided in other cases.
1T even extends the provisions of the
law to immoral traffic between the states
and territories and makes the offense a
felony. the same as with aliens; and it
provides In all cases that wife shall be
competent to testify against her husband,
and vice versa. in such cases.
Makes It Misdemeanor.
The proposition of the Department of
Commerce and Labor, it is said will make
1t misdemeaaor for deported alien to
return to this country after deportation.
and, unlike the immigration act of 1907.
will enable the government to prosecute
those who have come into this country at
any time until they are actually natu-
rallied.
Secretary Nagel proposes to go to the
root of the evil arising from the coming
to or dumping upon the shores of the
United States of the criminal element of
foreign countries. Aided by the eXpe-
rience Of the officials of his own depart
ment and with the legal ability to sue
cessfully and effectively cope with the
situation, it is said the proposed modifica-
lions of the immigration act of 1907
which he will suggest will result in the
best immigration act'yet suggested to en-
able this country to protect itself against
the criminal classes and at the same time
extend to the deserving alien who comes
to make his home here every assistance
within the legitimate province of the gov