The Detroit times., 1910-12-28
URGES CHANCE IN
Immigration LAW
Secretary Nagel Says Families Should
Not Be Separated-Makes Other
Recommendations.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2s.-Secretary
Nagel's 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 a 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 10 separate them. The secre-
tary suggests that some system by
which inquiry should be made about
the families or 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 liz
sane immigrants OF those afflicted with
contagious diseases is proposed. The
secretary declares that the immigra-
ton officials even find il 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 l,l9S,037 immigrants TO the
United States, the prediction is made
that the coming year will approach
the banner year of 1907, when more
than 1855 aliens came in. OF all
those who came this year more than
274,000 admitted they had been as
brought a total OF $2S,197,745 with
them. a per capita OF about S27
The bulk of the immigration con-
tinues to be drawn from southern and
eastern Europe. Two per cent OF all
who applied for admission were
turned back. They numbered 2l,270
in all. as against 10,4ll III 1909.
Though no increase in attempts TO
import contract labor is apparent l.
700 aliens were deported as such dur
ing the year. Stricter legislation TO
govern that class OF immigration is
recommended.
Mr.. Nagel refers briefly TO viola
tions of the white slave law and de-
cares that immigration officials are
able TO cope with only a fraction or
the violations. II the traffic is to be
stamped out, he says, the state and
municipalities must take a more ac-
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 appli-
cant enters the government service.
The conditions within the service,
however, he thinks call for an entire
ly different test for promotion.
Employees work under the direction
and observation of chiefs Of bureaus
and divisions and their capacity, eff
ficiency and resourcefulncss are
judged by them." says the secretary.