The Washington times., 1909-05-01
WATCHORN'S PLACE
SOON TO Be FILLED
ASpirants Are Numerous for
the Position of Com
missioner.
OFFICE CONSIDERED
AN IMPORTANT ONE.
President and Secretary Nagel Us
ing Much Care in Selecting
Right Man.
By JOHN SNURE.

Within the next ten days or two
weeks il is expected here that the ap-
pointment viii be announced of a com
missioner OF immigration for New
York to succeed Robert Watchorn, who
has been forced out. This office is
looked on by President Taft and Sec
retary Nagel, of the Department of
Commerce and Labor as one OF great
Importance, and they are casting about
for the right man for the job. regard
less of whether he is from New York
or elsewhere.
Numerous aspirants want the posi-
tien, among them men welI-knOwn in
Washington and in New York James
Bronson Reynolds is strongly indorsed
for the place. Reynolds. the man who
helped Charles z. Neill investigate con-
ditions in the packing houses. is under
stood not to be seeking the place. but
he has many friends who think he is
the right man for the job The Presi-
oent thinks well of Reynolds, and he is
being given serious consideration
Secretary Whipple, of the New York
Republican county committee, Is a can
diddte and has strong backing Repre-
sentative Herbert Parsons, chairman OF
the committee, IS supporting Mr. Whip
pie.
Marcus Braun. who has long done
special work in the immigration service
and who made important Investigations
in Austria-H Hungary and other European
countries aspires to the office Terence
V Powderly, chief of the division OF
information Of the Department OF Com
merce and Labor, is a candidate. An
other man who is prominently men
toned is William Williams, who was
commissioner Of immigration at New
York before Watchorn-
Billings Mentioned.
St.ll another who is under considera-
ton is Commissioner Billings, Of tbs
Boston immigration office Mr.. Billings
has made a good record and, in spite
Of the number Of candidates for the
New York post, there is considerable
talk that he viii be traIR9feSred aaI
promoted to the Ellis Island position
Just now. Joseph Murray is acting iHi-
migration commissioner. but he viii not
De promoted to the commissionership-
The question Of the succession to
WatchGrn is being watched closely here
and elsewhers. because much depends
on the way the immigration laws are
enforced NJ Ellis Island The great
bulk Of the immigrants enter the .coun-
Try there. Organized labor is greatly
concerned about the sort Of a cOmEniS-
sioner who is appointed for New York,
becsus the labor leaders wait t1e i'm
migration laws strictly enf3TCed, and
particularly want rigid enfe;oement Of
the contract labor provisions OF the law.
The immigration Restrictions League OF
Boston is taking hand in the matter,
and is insisting that a strong man be
placed IN charge at Ellis Island. It is
contended that weak man win be
hy the steamship companies.
and that a man must be had who will
enforce the laws as they stapA
Changes Probable
Secretary NageI is thOrcughly i'm
pressed with the impertInce OF the
at New York, and ne
is looking into conditions at Ellis Is
land carefully on his own account No.
Nagel was opposed to the retention OF
Watchorn. He acquainted himself with
the investigation made BY Her bert Knox
Smith. and concluded WatcIsorr. ought
not be retained 1t is talked here that
before many months Mr.. Nagel will
make other changes in the personnel at
Ellis Island, and that there is likely
to be something of a houSecleanlng.
It connection with immigration mat
ters, il develops that strong efforts
are being made to get Congress 20 pass
the Overman amendment 10 the tariff
bill which would increase the head tax
on immigrants TO So II is now 81.
Senator Overman holds that his amend
ment would add about Sl0.0O0,000 TO the
revenue and that it would tend to re-
strict immigration; also that il would
tend TO prevent the practice OF foreign
labOrers entering this country for the
purpose of working a season. or part
of a season, and then returning TO their
native lands. Organized labor Is anxious
TO have the Overman amendment adopt
ed The migration ReSLrictiol Lea que
is working for it. Friends Of the
amendment think II may be pa Sed by
the Senate.
When II was first proposed. nc very
serious attention was given it. but its
friends are now saying that bes3re IL
is disposed of. Il viii have to be taken
seriously