The Detroit times., 1911-02-14
W0RKsFOR LIBERAL
IMMIGRATION LAW
New Society Wants Definite Rules
Laid Down For Admission OF
Rejection of New Corners.

NEW YORK. Feb. 14.--The immi-
grafton officials at Ellis island are
having their troubles as a result OF
the recently adopted policy OF more
restrictive immigration, says the
World.
has increased constantly since Will
lam Williams became commissioner OF
immigration at Ellis Island Is freely
admitted and proven by the records.
Star chamber proceedings embodied
In the special boards OF inquiry and
the sweeping power or exclusion un-
der the Il. p. C."-liable TO become
a public charge-regulation make IL
possible to exclude hundreds of aliens
who, IL Is alleged by many, would
make excellent citizens. On the other
hand, IL Is pointed out that the law
does not provide proper precaution
for the exclusion OF the criminal
classes.
An alien may not enter this coun-
try IL he or she has served time In
Jail. When a foreigner reaches Ellis
Island ami IL questioned, the officials.
unless they have outside information.
must rely on the aliens word. He
has usually been forewarned and when
asked IL he has been In jail naturally
answers in the negative.
Details of unjust exclusion cases. 1t
Is asserted, are kept from the public
rs much as possible, and Official
biunders carefully concealed; infor-
nation which might indicate error.
prejudice or lack of proper care is
withheld The inspectors, into whose
ears are-poured hard luck stories and
pleadings, some justified and some
not, are forbidden to talk upon pain
of dismissal. AS one inspector said:
IF I should tell you the details of q
certain case I know and IL reached
the ears of the commissioner. I'd lose
my job"
Missionaries Silenced.
Even the missionaries who repre-
sent the various religious societies on
Ellis Island are subject to the auto
cratic rule of the commissioner. In
one case where an appeal to Washing
ton had been filed, the matter dis
posed of and the aliens allowed to
enter the country, the missionary said
that he did not dare show the papers
for fear the commissioner would bar
Linn and his society from Ellis Island.
The severe policy of exclusion has
aroused resentment OF persons OF all
nationalites. Within the last month
the American immigration society was
formed to advocate and urge the pas
sage OF sane, definite and concise I'M
migration laws. At present the ad-
mission or exclusion of aliens Is LETT
largely to the Judgment Of inspectors
In the special boards of inquiry.
When an alien is brought before
such board he or she Is denied the
benefit of counsel or the presence OF
friends or even a missionary. Re-
porters, as well as the general pub
lie. are barred.
A demand has been made by thou
cands of persons. not only former
aliens and friends and relatives OF
aliens, but citizens who trace their
ancestry back many generations. for
a law that shall permit OF no discrim-
nation; that definite rules shall be
laid down governing the admission or
rejection of immigrants to this coun-
try. SO that an alien may know be-
fore leaving the land OF his birth
whether or not he Is eligible to en-
ter the United States.
Such q law, 1t Is pointed out, would
eliminate much needless pain, suher-
ing and anxiety in the long trip across
the ocean and back, the loss or former
homes and the disappointment re-
salting from being excluded after hav-
ing once reached these shores. That
hundreds are unjustly deported is
shown by the large number having
influential friends who have appealed
to Washington and won their admis-
sion to this country. 1t would DO
hard to estimate just how many have
come here, friendless and alone, ana
have been turned back, when under
the proposed law they might have
been admitted.
Protest Against Exclusion.
Societies, missionaries and that
large army Of persons who believe
that this country has reached Its pres
ent state of marvellous development
through the benefits OF unrestricted
immigration voice the protest In the
assertion that this country Is broad
and resourceful enough to provide q
livelihood for other millions OF NOR
al. healthy workers, whether they
are illiterate or educated, wealthy or
roor. II n man is physically capable
and willing to work, there is little
likelihood that he will become pub
lie charge, they say.
These persons unanimously agree
hat the exclusion law should be
strict regarding criminals, aliens with
frail bodies, diseased persons and
those of immoral character. Stats
fics of Italy show that one out OF
every 80 persons has served time or
IL Mt present In jail. II Is reasoned
trat approximately the same per-
centage OF criminals should obtain
IN the vast numbers that dock here
from Italy. II proper investigation
were made thousands OF Italians
would be excluded yearly because OF
THAR. criminal records and the coun-
rs would not be overrun with Black
Hand agents. During the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1910, 100000 Italians
came to this country. or this number
c5 were deported as criminals. Italy