New-York tribune., 1919-12-01
Congressional Committee to
Recommend Reforms Fol
lowing Inquiry at Ellis
Island; Renew Hearings
State Legislation Is Urged
American Defense Society
Calls Upon Governors to
Fight Criminal Anarchy


thorities TO expedite deportation of
alien anarchists Will be recommended
to Congress by the House Committee
on immigration as q result of it's in
vestigation At Ellis Island. The COM
mittee departed yesterday for Wash
ington. where it will resume its hear
ings tomorrow. On Thursday it again
will sit at Ellis Island 1t was said
that among the witnesses at Washing
ton will be Louis F. Post. Acting Sec
retary of Labor, and Anthony CANT
nett, Commissioner of immigration.
Representative Albert Johnson. chair
man Of The committee. said the system
now prevailing at Ellis Island which
enables an alien to obtain liberty on
bail in New York after being trans
ported across the country at govern
ment expense, warrants recommends
tons for drastic changes. 1t was
pointed out that Frank r. Lopez. a
Spanish anarchist, who was ordered
deported, has been able to remain in
TINS country for five years because Of
legal technicalities.
Changes Proposed by Committee
Hundreds of others ordered bv
courts to be deported have been able
to remain here indefinitely because of
the sympathy Of certain public Of
cials' said a member a. +bo cnn,r,;.
tee.
Changes proposed by the committee
include the abolition of the office Of
Acting Commissioner Of Immirration
at tlhs Island. who is Presidential
appolntee, and the substitution for him
OF an acting secretary of the Depart-
ment O Labor; the designation of
Judges in all the important cities
whose exclusive duty it will be to
consider alien cases. and the establish
ment OF court in New York whose
oecISions IN alien cases will be final
We arc going to look into the uues-
ton OF naturalization also" said Rep
fesentative Isaac Siegel a member of
the committee. zone day in New York
We saw 149 aliens naturalized in forty.
eight minutes. The presiding Judges
are not to blame. for they have to rclv
on the reports OF the examiners. We
expect to suggest some remedies
State Legislation Urged
Every state in the country has been
urged by the American Defense So
c'ety TO pass laws for the suppression
Of criminal anarchy The society yes.
terday made public letter it had sent
ato each governor, pointing out that
while comparatively little has been
done by the Federal authorities" New
York State. under an anti criminal
anarcl y law. has actively begun prose
cutlon of those who advocate the o"eT-
throw of government. The cases Of
James larkin, Irish agitator, and BEN
Jamin GltloW, former Socialist Assem-
blyman, who are under Indictment. are
cited.
"We ask your consideration of the
need IN your state Of special laws
which will enable you to deal promptly
with TINS public menace says the so
cietys letter.
Comparatively little has been done
by the Federal authorities, and al
though a number of bills have been in
troduced in Congress, of broader scope
and strlcter penalties than those now
on the statute books, it is uncertain
when results may be expected
Provisions of New York Law
"The New York Penal Code provides:
Any person who, by word of mouth or
writing, advises the duty. necessity or
proprety of oVcrthrowinE organlzed q
government by force or violence. or by
assassination Of any of the executive
officials Of the government. or openly,
wilfully and deliberately justities by
word Of mouth or writing the unlawful
killing or assaulting Of any executive
OF the United States or OF any other
state or civilized nation having an or
ganized government, because of his
official character, or any other crime,
with intent to teach, spread or advocate
the propriety of the doctrine of crimi-
nal anarchy, is guilty of felony, and
punishable by Imprisonment for not
more than ten years or by q fine Of not
more than $4,000, or both
eve understand that your state has
no law covering these points, and we
therefore earnestly recommend that
such a law be passed and put into eff
feet as speedily as possible. regardless
of any action by the Federal govern
ment This is important. not only be
cause OF the danger from criminal an
archy and its attendant crimes, treason
and rebellion, but also because such
laws make for the peace Of the com
munty. Without them patriotic citi-
zens are likely to take matters into
their own hands, as they have done in
many instances, conflicting with the
authorities and causing disturbances
and riots. lamentable even in /. good
cause"