South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-19
FINE CUNARD LINE
FOR ATTEMPTS TO
LAND IMMIGRANTS
Sec'y of Labor Davis Charges
Deliberate Attempts to
Violate Law.
By Associated Press

By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1s.-Sec'y Of
Labor Davis has ordered fines 10 the
limit Of the statute assessed against
the British Cunard steamship line,
and has asked the state department.
10 make diplomatic representations
to the English government against
what he officially classed ''as a bold
and l believe, a knowing attempt on
the part of the company TO violate
the immigration law either because
of the paltry profits to be gained
thereby or TO discredtt our immi-
grafton policy"
Hungarian Quota Filled.
The circumstance complained Of
arises out of the arrival on Dec. 10
at New York OF the liner AQuitania
with 300 Hungarian immigrants, de-
spite that on Dec. l the immigration
bureau had announced to all steam
ship lines that the quota Of immi-
grants from Hungary legally entitled
10 enter the United states up 10 July,
1922. was exhausted. Mr.. Davis has
likewise addressed a letter to Atty.
Gen. Daugherty asking for a legal
opinion as TO what action can be
taken in IAN appalling situation
which has arisen by the reckless dis
regard of the law by steamship
companies"
Attempts To EVade Law.
Since the enforcement Of the new
immigration act. which limits the
number Of aliens entitled TO enter
the United States in any one year
to a definite percentage Of the num-
Der OF that nationality already resi-
dent in the United States the i'm
migration authorities have been in
practically constan. controversy
with steamship lines. which they
have charged with deliberate intent
TO make the law futile. The situa-
ton has been enlivened ~ midnight
races 10 the port of entry between
vessels carrying immigrant oargoes
from countries whose dwindling
quotas made it probable that arri-
walls on the last vessels would be ex-
Guided and deported.
AquitaniS Chief offender.
The chief offender in this in
stance is the Cunard liner Aqui-
tania." Mr.. Davis said IN his letter
OF protest 10 Sec'y of State Hughes,
which arrived in New York on or
about Dec 10. with somewhat more
than 800 of this nationality (Hun-
garian) on board"
Writing TO the attorney general.
Mr.. Davis said that in his opinion.
"the awful wrong being perpetrated
on these poor aliens cannot be pre-
vented except by the imposition OF
these fines. The heart of Americans
IS shocked at this mercenary prac-
tce, and demands that some one be
punished for the great wrong that
IS being done them"
Mr.. Davis further pointed out in
the corresp ondence that he was act
ing under general statutes in order
ms tks fines imposed and suggested
that congress should enact specific
penalties TO apply 10 the quota
situation and make the enforcement
more certain.
Deny Allegations. $500
Officials OF the Guuar6 Line sun
day night denied the allegations OF
SeC'y Of Labor Davis that the line
had deliberately violated the immi-
grafton laws.
Other officials also made general
denial 20 the secretary's charge and
declared that a detailed statement
would be made after they have had
an opportunity 10 read the full text
OF the secretary's MESA ges.