The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-28
URGES CHANGE IN
IMMIGRATION LAW
Secretary Nagel Says Families Should
Not Be Separated-Makes Other
recommendations

WASHINGTON, Dec 2S--Secretary
Nagels annual report. which was sub
mitted TO the President yesterday
contains many important recommends.
tons for changes and Improvements In
the bureaus and branches OF the de-
partment OF commerce and labor.
One OF the hardships OF the present
immigration laws, Mr. Nagel believes,
Is the separation OF families. In
many instances father is admitted
and his wife and children are barred
out after the pioneer has made a
home. The secretary belieces that a
more equitable system could be found
and says he assumes IL is the purpose
OF the law to keep famnIes together
and not TO separate them. The secre-
tary suggests that some system by
which inquiry should be made about
the families of immigrants before
fathers and sons are admitted should
be put into practice.
Unless immigration can be diverted
from Ellis Island or reduced there Is
need for additions TO the facilities
there. At no port is there any ade-
quate provision for handling immi-
grants. declares the secretary, al
though at most places sites have been
bought by the government for build
ings TO be used for these purposes.
Stricter regulation OF steamship
companies in the immigrant traffic is
urged In the report and system of
fines for companies which bring in
sane immigrants OF those afflicted with
contagious diseases is proposed. The
secretary declares that the immlgra-
tion officials even find it unwise to al.
low alien employees OF steamships to
land on American soil without apply
ing the usual examination TO them.
While the fiscal year 1910 brought
total of 1,19S,037 immigrants to the
United States, the prediction Is made
that the coming year will approach
the banner year of 1907, when more
than 1,285,000 aliens came in. or all
those who came this year more than
274 900 admitted they had been as
sisted by friends. All the immigrants
brought total OF SIS, 197, 745 with
them, a per capita OF about S27.
The bulk of the immigration con
tinues TO be drawn from southern and
who applied for admission were
turned back. They numbered 24.27C
in all, as against 10,411 i'll 1909
Though no increase In attempts u
import contract labor Is apparent. l,
700 aliens were deported as such dur
! Ing the year. StrIcter legislation &c
govern that class OF immigration Is
recommended.
| Mr.. Nagel refers briefly to viola
tions of the white slave law and de-
clares that immigration officials are
able TO cope with only fraction oil
the violations. If the traffic Is TO be
stamped out, Ire says, the state and
municipalities must take a more &C
tive interest.
Promotion of employees by merit and
not entirely by scholastic examina-
ton is treated at length by Mr.. Ma
gel. who believes scholastic exam
ination may be proper when an appll-
cant enters the government service.
The conditions within the service,
however, he thinks call for an entire
" different test for promotion.
Employees work under the direction
and observation of chiefs OF bureaus
anu UlNlSlOllb anu luNil SapthS'Nyt ~
ficiency and resourcefulness are
Judged by Them" says the secretary
I'm the final analysis their rights to
advancement should be wholly deter
mined by the opinions OF these super
vising officials, provided such opinions
are well informed, judicious and con
sciontiously reached
Mr.. Nagel puts himself on record
in favor Of some sort OF superannua
ton or retirement for clerks. lie be
lieves compulsory retirement for age
or disability would be an economical
measure for the government ana ex-
presses the opinion that II salaries OF
clerks are TO remain as they are the
government can afford TO provide
straight pension without contributor
straight pension without contribution
from employees.
The work of the bureau 10 corpora
tons has been highly important our
ing the year. and probably this month
comprehensive report on its investl'
CATION of the lumber industry VIII ne
completed. Inc bureau NOV ua'
under way Investigations or the III.
ternational Harvester Co, the steer
and tobacco Industries, concentration
of water power ownership, ana COT
porate taxation.
Mr.. Nagel believes the value oil cor
poration publicity has been proved
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