Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-09

parts OF the edFtu. ~
0illiouS Of great is the incoming
r tide Of steerase pas
AsswoVAoAs' sengers that the bu-
rsau Of immigration has estimated the
total number for the last ninety-three
years to be $4,000. GOO. From 1776 to lSzo
the figures are only approximate, out
from. 1870 to 1913 the tables give the
number N 28e11O52.
In 1913 as few as 6354 immigrants came
to the United States. In 1854 came the
first big rise, the figures running up to
$4,000 in that year. Downward ran the
tide in 1852, few more than 1900 being
admitted to this country. In 1873 another
high-water mark was reached. when 49,
600 immigrants arrived, while five years,
later the number dropped to $4,000. The
first big increase after that of 1854 came
In 1882, when the number of arriving
aliens tptaled 78aOO0. Then came q series
OF waves. first up. then down. until In 1893
the lowest point of recent years was
reached, 22AOOD Then q steady increase
began. and In 1907 the greatest number Of
1,28b, 80. .nocked here from every land
Oniy- once since then has the million
mark been reached, in 1910, when 1,04l,.
$40 was the years total.
sEsr~z
FL x x
To watch over this great stream Of in
corners has. become one. OF the functions
~. n4&.s of the national govern
Bureaus ment, and an efficient or
.s.rora+.a ganization has been de-
veloped for this purpose.
It Is even at this time in a state or
Change. One Of the last acts Of the
6ixty-second Congress was the passage
OF q bill creating the new Department Of
Labor. involving a shifting OF the immi-
grafton and naturalization bureau from
the Department OF Commerce and Labor
to the charge OF the new cabinet officer,
BY this act, also. the former dual bureau
was divided into two distinct bureaus.
one dealing with the aliens as they apply
for admission and the other with their
applications for citizenship. II
The bureau Of immigration, now head
ed by Daniel ]. Keefe. commissioner gen.
eral. has formed one Of the most vital
parts Of the Department Of Commerce
and Labor. and will also be an import
ant part of the newly created Department
of Labor. Here In Washington IL car
ried on the administrative work. while a
series OF threads run out to every port OF
entry into the United States, beginning
with the largest, New York. and extend
int completely around the coast and
boundary lines Of the country.
The establishment OF the bureau as it
Is today dates from 1891. Prior to that
time the laws relating to immigration
were administered by the state ofncers
these being designated by the governors
Of the respective states having seaports
gotiated by the Secretary Of the Treas
ury. and were under his direction and
control. The expenses were paid from
q fund known as the immigration fund"
or head tax, which at that time was 90
cents. This tax is levied on all trans
portation companies bringing aliens into
this country.
In March. 1891. the Office Of superin-
tendent Of immigration was established.
under the Treasury Department In the
same act OF Congress creating this po-
sition was the provision that the duties
Heretofore performed by the various
state officers. and others, should be per-
formed by INSPECTION officers Of the
was the administration OF the immigra-
ton laws brought under federal control
The head tax was raised to 81.
X.
Under an act Of 1895 funds were ;ap-
propriated to enforce the alien contract,
labor laws. and the title OF
Developing the CHIEF Of the bureau
Svstem - wes chanlgsd to that Of com
SJsse 4ssionsr general N 1900
the dutiesE Of the COMMISSIONER general
were further extended by adding the adj
n1inistFation OF those laws governing the
admission OF Chinese to this country.
With the establishment Of the Depart
ment OF Commerce and Labor in 1903
came the transfer Of the bureau from the
Treasury Department to the new or
ganization. During this year also
the head tax was raised to 81. In
1905 the name Of the, bureau was changed
to that. Of bureau of immigration and
naturalization. and the division. OF nat
uraljzation was added. In 1907 came a
bureau, the formation Of the division
Of information. charged with the free dis
tribution Of data regarding the resources
and products OF the various states. And
again came another increase In the head
passed by Congress proposed to increase
the head tax still further, making 1t s..
but it was vetoed by President Taft.
The bureau OF immigration maintains
twenty-five divisions which include the
Rico and Guam. The Philippine govern
ment administers Its own bureau OF i'm
migration. Primarily, the functions of
the bureau consist In determining whether
or not those who apply for admission In
to this country can safely be allowed en-
trance. Usually the question IL one of
physical condition. although criminals
and those morally degenerate are also
denied admittance
= y
The method OF procedure includes a
physical examination by officers of the
public health service and an
Physical inspection by an immigration
mA officer. In those cases where
Aesss. the right to land Is not clearly
indicated, a hearing is held before board
Of inspectors. II a negative verdict is
reached by this board. the only further
course open to the alien is an appeal to
the secretary of the department. whose
final opinion Is based on the findings OF
the board. In all cases where immigrants
are detained. hospital service IL given
free when necessary.
slightly different course IL pursued In
the examination Of immigrant Chinese.
The terms Of the treaty and the laws re-
laAing to this question contemplate the
exclusion OF all laborers. but admit teach
ers. students. merchants and travellers.
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