The San Francisco call., 1910-09-19
HART NORTH'S
Head SAID To
BE IN DANGER
Asiatic Exclusion League Of
fciaIs Hint That Washington
VIII Take Drastic Action
Federal Authorities Take Cog
nizance of Sentiment Against
Hindu Influx

Washington have taken cognizance of
the statewide sentiment against Hindu
immigration and that the campaign of
the Asiatic exclusion league had
awakened the national government to
the acute situation in the Office of I'm
migration Commissioner Hart n. North,
We're the statements circulated yester
day at the Asiatic exclusion league
meeting in Labor temple hall 1t was
broadly hinted that the official ak
hangs by a slender thread over Norths
head and that the broadside of criti-
cism directed against the commission
er by the officers Of the league had at
last sounded in the halls Of the mighty.
DAMAGING REPORT
The declaration was made that the
federal inTestiga ton just completed
here had brought out evidence on
which to base a damaging report to
Washington The subject of railroad
contract labor. ii was reported, was to
receive special attention. it being the
constant. contention Of the league off,
GERS that the Hindu movement across
the Pacific has been fostered and en-
couraged by the large corporations.
A lengthy report. dealing with the
correspondence of the Asiatic exclusion
league with President Taft and Com
missioner of migration D. J. Keefe.
relative 10 the alleged leniency of
Norths Office in admitting Hindus, was
presented at the meeting by Secretary
4. F. Yoell and. after discussion,
adopted Norths conduct and alleged
abuse OF Office were the subjects of
special attention
The first gun was fred June Il, when
the league sent the following message
10 President Taft:
North has fairly demonstrated
that, however efficient in the past
he is not ii touch with the present
situation not IN harmony with
public sentiment in California, nor
is ne enforcing the law without
fear and without favor. His use
fulness as commissioner Of lmml-
grafton at the port of San Fran
cisco has practically ceased.
A lengthy letter dealing with the
actions and statements of North was
sent to Commissioner Keefe, reading
in part:
How does Hart North account for
The fact that some so Hindus whom
he recommended for admission and
IN which case an appeal was made
TO the department Of commerce and
labor by Inspector Ainsw Orth, were
depOrted by order Of the depart
ment. in spite of his recommenda-
tion that they be admitted2 Why
was the inspector who appealed
against the admission Of Hindus
and who was sustained by the de-
ps rtment. taken OF the board OF
special inquiry and also the work
OF primary Inspection
The immigration laws are same
for all parts of the United States
Why are Hindus not admitted at
other ports if they are eligible at
this port
tax OF $500 on all Hindus, al
though subjects of the British en-
pire. Are we not dong an un-
Ion Ind
admitted here so that they can be
easily smuggled across the border
Of a friendly neighbor, while that
neighbOT puts 4 tax OF SlooO on
the heads of Chinese OF discourage
their admission and Subsequent
smuggling into the United States!
EIGHTY EXCLUDED
The league told Keefe that out Of
1sz Hindus that arrived on the ST.
, IBERIA so had been excluded by Special
Inspector Watts, who was later trans
ferred from Angel island. On infor-
nation that Hindu had escaped from
detention. the league wired the secre-
tarv. of commerce and labor and asked
for an inVesti cation.
subsequently. when q Chinese booked
for deportation got away, keefe was
wired as follows.
"Asiatic exclusion league requests
investigation of continued escape OF
aliens from Angel island detention sta
ton: latest case Chin SUE. Chinese
awaiting deportation; also number OF
Iindus who escaped from the British
ship Aran at Redondo.
During the early part OF september
the following answers were received
fror, Keefe both with regard to the
escape of aliens from the detention
home and the charge that North was
admitting polygamous and, therefore,
ineligible aliens.
case Of alleged escape of Hindu
NOT before department. Suggest you
communicate by mail facts within
your knowledge.
.Tn reply TO your letter of the 18th
instant. calling attention to the possi-
bflitv that Hindu arrivals in he United
States either practice polygamy or
believe in the practice thereof you are
advised that this matter will be
brought TO the attention Of the COM
missioner of immigration, San Fran
cisco. for immediate consideration
INVESTIGATION STARTS
washington authorities became
aroused then and showed an inclina-
ton TO delve and sift to the bottom
Fred c. Patterson of the league wrote
2resident Taft. asking for an investi-
NEation. rs follows:
This committee respectfully re-
quests that 2 thorough investiga-
tion be made Of the causes leading
to this great influx of Hindus into
California with especial reference
To the connections. past and pres
ent Of the attorneys who appear
before the immigration authorities
with members Of the immigration
service.
This appeal is made TO your ex-
cellency because IL is rumored that
the commissioner Of immigration
boasts that he has sufficient infiu-
ence 10 prevent investigation.
An answer was received from Keefe
promising the investigation. He wrote.
By reference from the president
your letter Of the 18th instant las
been received concerning the influx
of Hindus into California through
the port Of san Francisco
In response. YOU are informed
that the matter Of Hindu immigra-
tion IS receiving the careful atten-
fiOn Of the department and instruc-
tfOns have already been issued in
suIlng that all arrivals of this race
shall be strictly examined under
the terms Of the existing immigra-
tion laws. AS YOU are aware the
law does not specifically exclude
aliens Of the Hindu race and it is.
therefore. necessary to exclude
them. II at ali. under the general
provisions OF the law applicable to
all aliens The boards of special
inquiry at san Francisco have beer
instructed as to the characterisftcs
Of the Hindus which in the h,,
1.r rann