New-York tribune., 1911-02-19
English Woman
Thinks Customs
Men Are Horrid
TOO MANY QUESTIONS
Trying Time in Boston Har-
Dor Left Her Caspins at
Strange Reception.

they received. l snail not easily forget my
own experience. Just a few days ago I
landed in Boston Harbor from one OF the
great ocean liners. 1t was my first visit
TO America. and was thrilled with the
wonder Of it,
I knew that for some months past the
examination Of immigrants to the United
States has become more strict; how else
should country which has not yet learned
how to deal with It's own destitute thou
sands protect itself from the unscrupulous
foreigners? But the examination upon our
boat of some half dozen unfortunate first
class English passengers went beyond all
l could ever have imagined possible.
Ny own case is naturally the one that in
terests me most. but the discomfort and in
dignity of the proceeding in regard TO other
unoffending passengers was even worse.
For the sake of the uninitated should
like TO explain the process Of entry into
the United States. AS the boat steams
slowly up the harbor a little steam launch
comes alongside and seven or eight men In
It climb up the great sides Of the liner
and Jump on board They are the mmi-
grafton officers and pressmen. Immedi-
ately all the passengers are ordered down.
stairs 10 the saloon and the examination
| begins. The immigration official seats him
self at a table with great sheets Of pink
paper spread out before him. upon which
are already written the names Of all the
passengers In alphabetical order, their ages,
occupation, destination. etc. He begins
questioning the passenger who is nearest
TO him.
what is your name, please Are you a
citizen of the United States?"
! mo"
Then please step back and wait. We
will take you later Citizens first, please"
So the happy citizens come up one by one.
answer few perfunctory questions, are
given their landing tickets and withdraw.
But it takes long time TO dispose Of all
I the citizens. and the saloon gets hotter
and hotter. and the foreigners" have need
/ Of all their patience.
My turn came at last l was tired 10
death with the long wait in the stuffy
saloon but happy enough TO answer the
questions. Your ege? Occupation? To
! whom are you going in the United states?"
official was not satisfied with me.
Kindly tell me who is this person you
are going to-" he demanded.
"Nhy, a friend" I answered simply.
We'll how long have you known herr"
he went on.
I opened my eyes rather wide But one
must always be civil, so I answered.
About two years"
"oh. And is this your first visit to
American"
eyes"
where was it you met this friend 10
whom you say you are goiug?'
I could not for the life Of me imagine
why he should take such an interest in the
details OF my friendship with This lady,
but I answered him for all the world like
q good little schoolgirl.
IT met her in england. We travelled
about together"
"Ah, And what other members OF her
family do You know? Is she living with
her family? Is it with her family you will
lie visiting? Why do you go TO visit this
friend? Did you receive an invitation from
her? Did that invitation come in letter
TO you?'
] gasped. The questions came thick and
fast and went on answering them Ike
an automaton-
yes" said.
''Wnl you kindly show me that letter.
The worm turned slightly here.
no, I cannot" answered shortly.
He did not like that He looked at me
severely.
"weH but cannot YOU give me some good
reason for your gOng 10 visit this frlendF
I was sorry, but l could not. couId
find no better reason than that had been
invited, and just came.
at see YOU are a journalist" ne said
"Have you come here to take up any
work.
I assured him no. ! knew that TO come
10 America TO work IS one Of the things
that is not allowed.
"You are not then working at present.
he demanded.
NO"
"Please tell me when you last worked
at your profession
.'Six months ago" l said.
"Oh, And what have you been living
On in the mean time? And what do you
intend TO live on now|
was so staggered at the mans diaool-
,caI persistence that II never occurred 10
me 10 suggest TO him that woman VINO
works at her profession is occasionally able
m save something. The sinister suggestion
at the back Of his query was only vagueiy
conscious Of; did not fully realize II
until afterward. But II was possibly TINS
that made me think OF the SAFEST ana
| easiest answer
ION my father"
y uae deliberate lying, of course My in
cutsitor was not yet perfectly satisfied.
| bo1veverS He wished to be assured that
had money actually with me-enough' IN
| Fact 70 take me back TO England after
nv three months visit. The fact OF my
be,ng a first class passenger on the boat
did not weigh in the least He must sec
nv money with his own eyes.
| This was embarrassing because one does
not carry about in ones handbag all 'ie
,,,orev one has saved ] had. therefore, 70
retire TO my cabin and undress' No
r,ada still another delay in my examina-
,ion. for when I returned TO the saioon
with my handful of cleaning sovereisns
he was questioning another unfortunate
| non-citiZen.
! However. nv turn came round again, aho
could see that the sovcreigns oio liieN
work But nasty suspicious still tormentoo
this conscientious man.
! .r, seams to me-" he said, "a very curl
ans thing that you should be coming over
! 20 America alone at this season or the year
,o ,1sit people whom you know SO iittie'
/ vUba. was l 20 say? ] felt helpless.
+,o wears friendship with any one "aS
m, enough for him. II ought to have oeeh
.bree years, perhaps six years'-poss'niy