The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1912-12-06
lMMl GRAFTON OFFICIAL
TALKS ON IMMIGRATION
ADDRESS OF WILLIAM WILLIAMS, u. S. COMMISSIONER
OF IMMIGRATION BEFORE MENTAL HYGIENE CON
FERENCE AT NEW YORK CITY, NOVEMBER IA, 1912

FERENCE AT NEW YORK CITY, NOVEMBER ID, 1912
little performed with the aid of medical
expected and
physical mental that
immigrants bring only the few which under the ur
phu the plague Of the other contagious and
oathsome diseases the immigration authorities alone have Jurisdiction
addition they are enjoned exclude idiots
suffering
from physical mental defect which affect ability living
That large list of medical duties shall refer tonight only to the deec
mental diseases with which immigrants afflicted and shall
duv when # nacs god law The oher balf is to furnish ma
which the
compes it's and there pepex executive officials
whose sworn duty and desire is to execute it.
country
has during each 100000 annually and
there arrived
nearly day
arrivals distributed there
arrive sometimes for several days in succession 1000 or 5000 day great
these people the the countries
their
ignorance beyond belief Not only are many terate but many do not
the of the n
enable tho government uhrias ~ nrnrse WITH tbe ter bo
undesirable additions nevertheless admissible
Obviously
from amongst this mass those suffering from any mental
impossible of complete performance even
medical staff in size what should be- But Ellis island has
nsrumenaies and facilities which
$50 officials OF these about 1SO belong the
number includes all medical officers doos
hospital attendants and nurses Ihe medical of NUMBER only H. lar 100
perform multitude of duties in relation both the
immigrants who arrive and the those de-
tanned in the ELLIS island hospitals fo SICKNESS sh SICK at es
hundred.
rapidly look him with trained and
indications physical
systemae test questions which the medical officers
such
Fa Goddard others All such special which last there
eight
medical compelled quickly lack
the requisite number OF to enable them to converse with each
Furthermore the Ellis island available for
immigrants be suffering mental defects
is 90
danger
most Of them ovous and can be safely said that the pncpa
failed provide machinery therefor Not
only many required
immigrant stations
without the sanction of
twice recommended Time and opportunity for observation are
mental defects which latent and such
time opportunity insane imm
grants pass during intervals ucidi During the
at tleastso these would be detected
arrival should be made thor
ough and perfect as possible But no mater now wen II @ sun
pick out all of the immigrants who after
of insanity after arrival due to beedy concerning
which the
coupled with failure succeed here
may bring
mbecity
infancy yet usually
the child approaches the school age Many children under w
probably that nothing short an inquiry
the to determine whether not
immigrants feebmnded mentally
limited these
Nv nrovdnp for the expulsion of certain classes of immigrants within
those who have entered either violation
"a existing prior land
annually great who have
once landed found
way the statute itself inadequate Note the
landing The government meets frequent
who
expnse its endeavo proof
did exist prior to landing 1t ought not to
question An alien who comes down with insanity
should be dporab absolutely at
his behalf
the period within which this be
should instead of three
otherwise mentally defective aliens
authorities
York. have complained bitterly Of
within borders
blame the medical
aliens fail to deport them
the address
addressed their
larger appropriations and better machinery
New
other chambers of through
nass