Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-16

territories ana the DlStr1ct or Coluiilna
They may advertise their natural induce
ments to immigration. Steamship lines
may announce their sailing dates and tell
OF the facilities they offer. but may not
tell of the attractions of the United
States
II has been found to be one thing, how
ever, to enact a law shutting out contract
labor and in
Is Hard to Enforce duced immi-
Contract Labor Law. oni,a another
To secure an effective enforcement of 1t.
The commissioned general of immisra-
ton says it is exceedingly difficult to
secure evidence that will convict the per-
son or OrganiZat ton that plainly is sur
reptitiously evading the law. He finds
it much easier to find the immigrant and
deport him than to detect the agency that
brought him in specific violation of the
statute.
The courts have been inclined to be
liberal in their construction of the law.
but Woe betide the immigrant who per-
mitS it to leak out that he has a certain,
definite job in sight when he lands. On
the other hand, it is the almost universal
opinion of the immigration authorities
that hundreds of thousands of immigrants
d
going to get than the law allows. a still
larger number get here under direct and
indirect violation of the law against
solicitation of immigrants.
Large employers of labor have a smooth
way of getting around the law. The pro-
spective immigrant is not particular about
having definite contract for job when
he lands. All he cares for is reason
able assurance that there is work in sight.
All the employer has TO do is to let it
be known around his plant that he needs
more labor and that he will give employ
ment to the relatives and friends of his
employees when they come. Letters by the
score are sent back to Europe, some con-
tanning money for tickets for relatives.
and all containing the Information that
job is in sight The next steamer brings
goodly number of immigrants in re-
Spouse. How can the officials of the gov
eminent detect or punish such violations
of the spirit if not the letter of the law?
Then there is the immigrant banker,
the immigrant grocer, the immigrant sa-
loon keep
Successful Immigrant er and their
Urging More to Come. want more
Immigrants to come, for it makes their
business better. They are in touch with
steamship ticket agents at home y plant
which needs more laborers only has to
tell them, and straightway a stream of
letters goes to Europe telling of the inces-
SAINT demand for labor, and inclosing
fictitious newspaper articles telling of the
fine living conditions, the good wages and
the Ike. Armed with these, the steam
ship agent in European labor centers can
work just about successfully as our
own American railroad immigration work
ed in days gone by, although he must
WORK surrept- tiously.
To avoid difficulty with the immigra-
ton authorities the immigrants who come
In this way are furnished with various
and mostly fictitious addresses. and only
the leader of the group, selected for his
superior intelligence, has the address Of
the real consignee, who usually is an i'm
migrant banker or saloonkeeper.
OF course, the people who are deter
mined To evade the law know it's ms and
outs. and they are always careful to
make their offers and promises in such
vague way that they could hardly be held
by the courts TO be really offers and prom
ises. and the imm grafton commission ad-
mits that they are probably not actual
violations of the letter of the law.
The operations in behalf of emigra-
ton in southern and eastern Europe are
not carried
Storage Passengers on for the
Sought by Steamships. purpose purpose - o =
emigrant to establish a home in America
nor TO supply American, employers with
labor Rather. they are simply for the
purpose OF getting steerage passengers
for steamship lines. Nor are they de-
sirous that these people shall come TO the
vntS od
kind that come back. for that means two
steerage fares instead OF one
One Of the most effective OF the promo
tiers Of immigration Is the travelling labor
agent He Is a common laborer himself.
and frequently travels back and forth be-
tween the United Sta es and his native
country. He Is supposed TO be man who
likes America SO well that he Is making
It his permanent home. and who returns
TO his homo country only to see the ''o.d
folks" He tells all the natives he meets
OF the splendid opportunities in America.
and draws an ideal!stic picture Of condi-
tons here. II hissauditors are interes ed
Of the trip he readily assures them that
on su n and such a day he will be going
back himsef. and will be glad TO look
after them en- route. When they meet he
10 elected the leader OF the group. each
emo paying him q certain stipend for his
1ervices, ell the while ignorant OF the
Etct tnat the steamship company pays
finn a commission on each immigrant he
S,ts and that the labor agents or en-.
SJyers IN America will also pay him SO
A>.ch per head for his wards.
Another method resorted to by the for
etgn steamship agents Is to scatter cir
culars OF American land companies and
labor agents. to inspire the discuss Ion
Of immigration in the local papers, with
view to arousing the imaginat on OF
the potential immigrant. Then there are
runners or agitators who go from village
TO village to stir up emigration enthusi
asm and to coach prospective Immigrant
as to the answers they shall give wher
they reach the gates OF America. The,
deliver lectures. and IN some cases ust
moving pictures to tell OF the wonders Of
Amarfca and fha auncasRAa of fheiI