Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-02
SUBMIT REPORT
ON IMMIGRATION
COMMISSIONERS OUTLINE BIG
WORK ACCOMPLISHED
CONGRESS RECEIVES DETAILS OF
NEEDED LEGISLATION
Thousands of Undesirables Admitted
Annually Many Laws Required
to Protect Nation from
Aliens
fBy Associated Press.l

through the publication of prelimin-
airy report by the commission.
This report deals with virtually every
phase of the immigration question, In
Guiding oriental aliens and other ex-
cluded classes, peonage, charity among
immigrants, white slave traffic, con-
ditions of steerage, anthropology, con-
gestion In large cities, alien criminal
fly, competition of immigrants, school
inquiries, administration of the immi-
grafton laws, distribution of immf-
grants, and other questions.
No conclusions have been reported
by tie 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 Washington Will
be completed in the early fall, prob
ably by September Is.
The entire investigation probably
will be finished during the next fiscal
year.
The report was printed and circulat-
ed today to show the necessity for an
appropriation of $250,000 to carry on
and complete the work.
Expense of Commission
Thus far the expenses of the COM
mission from April /, 1907, to February
/, 1909, have been $344, 1856. There are
at present 1873 persons employed under
the commission OF this number eighty
two are in washington. two in New
York. two in San Francisco; ninety
two are engaged. in field work, and
twenty in special lines of inquiry.
The commission says it Is generally
admitted by those acquainted with the
subject that, Notwithstanding the pres
ent law proposes to provide for the
exclusion of every undesirable immi-
grant, thousands of undeniably unde-
sirable persons are admitted each year.
It has been found that the law in
theory, so far as it's exclusion pro-
visions are concerned. is strong, but
ii is weak in some respects.
The commission says it has found
several sources of this weakness, and
it is its purpose TO recommend soIiic
effective remedies.
One of the most important features
of the work is connected with evasions
of the law resulting in the Importation
of excluded classes. NOTWITHSTANDING
the expenditure of about 100000 annu-
ally to enforce this law, the commits
sion finds that 1t does not prevent the
coming of Chinese laborers IN con-
siderable numbers.
An extensive investigation is being
made into the question of the importa-
ton and harboring of women for I'M
moral purposes. The results show that
many women are being constantly I'M
ported under conditions which amount
to absolute slavery.
Az the result of It's inquiries and the
evidence 1t has gathered. there mas
been a noteworthy attack upon this
business which has resulted in very
marked decrease.
Many Immigrants Afflicted
IT has been found that in numerous
instances persons afflicted with con-
tagious diseases, and even criminals or
a dangerous type, have been able to
evade the immigration laws and come
TO this country under the pretense OF
being seamen.
The utmost Importance is attached
to the inquiry being made into the sub
iect of alien criminality. The higher
criminal courts of New York city are,
at the request of the commission, keep
ing records in great detail of each per-
son convicted of crime, and 1t is IN
tended that a study of foreign-born
criminals and criminals of the second
generation shall be made in that city.
The investigation, however, is not
confined to the larger cities, but is be-
ing carried into smaller centers ana
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
economic and social status of immi-
grants to various sections of the coun-
try. The most important topic being
covered is the race of employees in each
occupation, years each race has been
employed, hours of work and discrim-
nation for or against immigrants in
employment, wages and housing.
In taking up the congestion of immi-
grants in large cities, the commission
is observing communities inhabited
principally by members of one race,
as to whether the clinging together of
members of the same race handicaps
them in their struggle for advancement
and prevents their rapid assimilation
and Americanization.
Effect on Wage Scales
A careful inquiry among wage earn
ers who are forced to compete with inn
migrant labor is being made among
workers in the trades and occupations
in which immigrants are largely en-
gagged.
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
legislation enacted affecting immigra-
ton.
inducements and obstacles to immi
grafton, such as climate, character of
soil free or cheap lands, amount, varie-
ty and regularity of work throughout
the year. the wages paid and hours of
employment will be shown.
Information also is being gathered
concerning the employment of women
and children, the prejudice against
races. the presence or scarcity of fell
low countrymen, church and school IA
cilities, and a vast amount of other
information.
The investigation of oriental immi-
grafton has been confined thus far to
the Rocky mountain and Pacific coast
sections, and special emphs sis has been
placed upon the inquiry concerning the
Japanese. Without the census recently
ordered in California. the commission
claims they have fairly accurate in
formation concerning the number of
Japanese in California. their distribu-
ton by counties and industrial districts,
their occupation and trades.
In California and Washington the re-
port when made will cover the presence
of Japanese, Chinese and Hindoos.
The school Is declared by the COM
mission to be the most potent infiu-
ence in promoting the assimilation and
Americanization of the immigrant.
The treatment accorded steerage pas
sengers at sea has been given consid-
cradle attenti ion, and agents of the COM
mission in MAJ instances have come
from foreign ports in the guise of inn
migrants. 1t was found the Storage
of today is far better in many ways