Evening star., 1922-06-28
URGE ALIEN HEALTH
TEST Be EXTENDED.
Secretary Davis Moves to
Halt Importation of
Diseases.

Thorough medical examination Of
every alien who enters any United
States port should be made. Secre-
tary of Labor Davis said in a letter
he has transmitted to Surgeon Gen
eral Cumming of the public health
service. Seeking a full and detailed
statement of what is necessary by
way of either legislation or appro-
prlatfon. in order to secure such
examination. Secretary Davis asks
Gen. Cumming what recommendation
should be made, in his opinion. for
extending the medical examinations.
as far as the Labor Department Is
concerned.
Mr.. Davis letter follows:
Some time ago my attention was
addressed to the commissioner gen.
eral of immigration with reference
TO the subject of medical examina-
tions of aliens at the various ports,
including examinations for sailors
who take shore leave.
Protection Against Disease.
THE protection of the health of
American citizens against disease
carried by incoming aliens is of the
me. should be thorough at every port.
The report from Porto Rico is simply
astounding and the condition ought
to be corrected speedily. l note your
statement that Ellis Island. n V.
and Angel Island. Calf, are the
have satisfactory facilities for
thorough medical examination. Sure
ly the ports of Seattle and Boston
are important ports where many
aliens enter and should be medically
in the same class with Ellis Island
that all ports have equipment which
Will make thorough examinations
possible. but that the want of equip
ment at some of the smaller ports
merely requires a longer time to
complete an examination and that
additional equipment at the larger
ports facilitates rapid examination.
In the final analysis loathSome con-
taSious diseases are as dangerous
to American citizens when coming
through small port as when com
ing through a large port 1t is barely
possible that those afflicted with dis
ease. knowing that examinations at
smaller ports are not SO thorough,
seek the smaller ports for entrance.
'The subject Of the examination of
seamen seeking shore leave | think
requires immediate and thorough at
tention. The privilege of shore leave
applies to all Seamen, even including
the races which are barred as immi
grants and the zones from which i'm
migrants may not come Seamen. in
the very nature of things, touch some
time or other all the ports of the
world and thus are more likely to
be carriers of disease than the i'm
migrants. If there is no provision in
the law for thorough examination of
seamen who seek shore leave the pro
vision should be made therefor.
viii you be good enough To give
me Il full and detailed statement of
what is necessary by way of either
legislation or appropriation. So far
as you know. in order to secure Il
thorough examination. medically. of
every alien who enters the United
States at any port anywhere Also
kindly indicate to me, if you will.
the scope of legislation. so far as
your own bureau is concerned, for
extending the service, SO that l may
know what legislation should be pro-
vided in connection with this depart
ment Also kindly let me know what
provision by way of appropriation for
extending the service is made in con-
nection with your own service, so
that ] may know what recommended
.ions to make for extending the Serv-
ice so far as this department is con-
cerned.
Il should appreciate it if you would
give me this report as soon as pos
sible so that | may have it when
preparing my report to the President
and to Congress for the fiscal year
ending June so. 1922. | am getting
ready to begin work on this i'm
mediately after July L.