The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-26

Washington. July 25.-Tnterpation-
Al control Of american immigration
To prevent its artificial and Illegal
stimulation by steamship companies
is recommended In d report 1ust filed
with the secretary Of labor by Wal
Ter " Husband Of Vermont. Es
adjustment in Europe Of branch or
the United states immigration bu
reau is advocated In furtherance II
th5s regulation. The report, dealing
with immigration 10 the United States
from eastern Europe and Asiatic Tur-
key. is the result of II recently COM
pfeted six months investigation by
Mr. Husband, as special representa-
tive OF tho labor department, in Rus
sta, Austria Hungary. Bulgaria, Tur-
key. Greece. and covers practically
every phase Of the question including
the causes Of immigration, violations
Of immigration and contract labor
laws activities of steamship agents,
artificial promotion Of immigration
and exploitation OF immigrants.
secretary Wilson was especially de-
sirous that means be devised for pre-
venting the attempted immigration Of
inadmtssibl4 persons Nearly 20. 900
Immigrants were rejected Mt United
States ports In 1913 for various
causest and the secretary believes
that many Of these would not have
undertaken tho journey had they
known the law
The problem "a clearly an inter
national one" says Mr.. Husband.
and, therefore should be subject
to international control $50 far as
feasible. This was informally dis
cursed with officials IN charge of i'm
migration matters in various coun-
tries and In every instance met with
favor Information concerning re
auircments OF American laws should
he disseminated in various countries.
IN exchange Of information relative
10 the activities OF agencies promot-
Ing immigration is one Of tho possible
advantages of cooperation"
In order to further this co~opera-
t3an and to secure information upon
which TO base moro rigid enforce
ment Of laws relative to Immigration
contract labor and importation fer
immoral purposes Mr. Husband rec
ninlnenfs that branch of the United
states immigration service be perma-
aentlv established In Europe and Ash
attic Turkey.
Wages Chief Attraction.
Tho report states TINT while avoid
ance II military service, "a desire for
adventure, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. NAti E''tN
5ca' and soclai conditions, and al
Tered discrimination on account OF
rs~a or religion are causes Of some
irlintsratiun. all OF these combined
are az little Importance compared
with the simple economic induce
ment ~ higher wages AND a steadler
demand FOR labor In the United States
than obtain at home. Encouraging
letters from friends In America, ana
, evidence Of prosperity displayed ny
returning crntgrauts supplemented ny
the persuasive work or steamship
ticket agents and brokers. are given
NJ the chief secondary or Immediate
causes. officials In Russia believe
that more than one-half Of the i'm
migration from that country IS due
"a these agents and brokers, while one
Hungarian authority estimated that
$4,000 ernigrants left Hungary In
1913 as the result of such propagan~
da.
Outside steamship AGENTS are not
permitted to do business In Russia
saws Nr. Husband. and in other coun-
tries strict regulations hamper theih'
All emigration Is Illegal unless con-
scented 10 by tho government when
consent IS often withheld for mill
tar-v ar other reasons. To overcome
an extensive secret agency system
under which large part Of the emf
grafton m 0venent from eastern Eu-
rope ia handled. Agencies Of steam
ship lines or sem!-independent con-
Germs which cannot operate legally.
are located ia convenient points out
glide v1ch countries, and these, In CO.
operation with the secret agency sys-
ten reap a rich harvest.
Practically all eastern European
irrrnlgrnnts. says MIR. Husband, know
before leaving home that work will
he available In the United States,
and in many cases the assurance Is
so definite that they are practically
contract laharers. therefore, liable TO
exclusion. Many OF these do not
eoeu TO know what the United States
law II on this subject. he says. and
probably because the policy Is oppo-
SITE to Tint of Canada and other coun-
TRIES witch seek TO promote inmi-
grafton By promising employment,
Exploited for Profit.
The cEtef d!flculty," says the re-
port, 'Is that the economic law is
interferes with by artificial Influences,
back Of which is the desire for profit.
! Chief among these influences are the
army Of steamship agents operating