The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1910-02-16
A FLOOD OF
IMMIGRANTS

Washington, Feb. 15.-Not further
restriction but merely to make posi-
BILE such restriction as the existing
law intends but has not accomplish
ed, is the object of a proposed new
immigration law recommended by
Daniel J. Keefe, the Commissioner
General of immigration in mis- annual
report for the fiscal year 1909. 1t is
proposed to accomplish this by codi-
Tying. arranging in logical sequence
and strengthening at their weak
points ali existing laws on the gener-
al subject of immigration and Chi
nese exclusion.
Some of the principal suggestions
are:
So defining the term "alien" as to
leave no doubt that 1t includes all per-
sons not citizens, extending the con-
tract labor provisions to forbid and
penalize the inducement of immigra
Iion by false as well as genuine pro-
mises of employment, penalizing an
attempt to import foreign laborers,
and permitting the importation of al
len skilled laborers il labor of like
here only II the consent of the Secre-
tary of Commerce and Labor is OBJ
tanned In advance; increasing the fine
against steamship companies for TAX
ing ON board dangerously diseased
aliens from 500 to 5000.
Mr.. Keefe believes the time is ripe
or the adoption of even stricter mea
sures and suggests that a proposal
worth of careful thought Is that all
male aliens between 16 and so be re-
Iuired to pass physical examination
equal to that observed for army re-
er1lits
Touching on the white slave" traf-
&c the report sets out that a spec
ial Investigation conducted through
Out the country and the general ex-
perience of the year, make it appar-
ent that an enormous business is done
in importing and distributing foreign
women for immoral purposes, includ-
ing the seduction and distribution OF
alien women and girls who enter reg
llarly. and also to some extent of A
merican women and girls. The Fed
raj officers have not discovered posi-
tive evidence OF the existence of a
syndicate for those nefarious purpos-
es, but there Is among those who con
duct the business a certain esprit de
corps, and there are in several cities
clubs and headquarters where they
congregate."
In some cities, it is declared, the
traffic is connected with local politi
cal conditions and some of the muni
cipal authorities aue implicated or
otherwise helpless to assist in eradi
eating the evil. The Federal Gov
ernme nt's powers, 1t is stated, are sc
limited as to make it essential IL any
marked progress is to be expected
| that the States and cities shall awake
to the seriousness of the situation
| and exercise their undoubted authori
ty to put down the evil.
During the year there was a marked
Increase In deportations as a result oi
the campaign against the traffic. The
provisions On this subject IN the bill
submitted By Mr.. Keefe to carry ou
nis Recommendation are in principle
the same as In the bill which alread,
has passed the House except thal
they do not 60 50 far in the features
affecting interstate regulation OF tas
practice.
Qualification is expressed as q re
suit of the experiment I'm immigra
ton control a. affecting the Japan
ese. constituted by law. proclama
ttona and regulations following th'