New Britain herald., 1925-08-28
American Legion Na- tional Commander Addresses State Con- vention At New Lon don.
40 AND 8" ELECT OFFICERS AT MEETING

New London, Conn.,, Aug. cS (Pl- 'Bootlegging' Of undesirable alien into the United States presents a problem which for seriousness, ex- tent and danger of Its consequences to the future well being of the na- ton challenges comparison with the better known problem of rum run ming, members of the American Le- zion posts of Connecticut were told here today during an address by Ma tional Commander James A. Drain. The convention of the Connecticut department, opening yesterday. con- tinues today and tomorrow.
 Mir. Drain said that the question of smuggling aliens into the country was being studied by the national Americanism commission of the Le- zion. and avoWed that 1t is time That action vas taken and drastic action too. to curb this outlaw in dustry which is openly Haunting the laws of the United States and reap ing golden harvest of thousands and thousands of dollars every month"
 Reports of the Amertcanism corl- mission will be laid before the na- tIonal convention at Omaha from October 10 g, for aCtion," he con- tinued. "The commission has launch- ed movement to get congress to 0aSs laws and to take steps neces- sary to strengthen the United States immigration service to prevent this alien smuggling"
 Mfr. Drain said that the depart ment of labor after an investigation by its representatives estimated that nearly 5o.0oo aliens, who cannot gain admission 10 this country un- der the present immigration laws, were waiting a month or so ago to be smugrled in.
 Touching on the "smugg,ing Of aliens as an industry" the com mander explained how Smuggling syndicates' operates and related stories connected with running. Ha said that one Header in the game" 8 Havana operator admits that he cleared s43,o0o in four months from his operations
 Answering his own question, '~hat Is the practical concern to the Tinted States in this whole matter :" Mir. Drain said
 The aliens who are being smus- gled in are for the most part of the very worst types, The exceptions among them are few and far be tween. Many Of them ara desperate criminals or have loathsome dis ease. Trachcma is very frequent, trachoma, which is one Of the most serious and mos communicable of eye diseases, resulting almost cer- tainly In total blindness.
 The immigration service Is do- ing it's best with limited means and limited personnel 10 meet this sit nation. T. is seeking to beat back the alien flood sweeping down upon our shores. Rut these undesirab blos will continue to filter through to consti- ute I menace 10 the country until steps are ta len 10 put the service Tn condition to combat it's effectively"
 New London. Aug. 2S R)--Harry Fisher Of Piainville was elected grand chef ie gerc ot the grand vol tyre. department of Connecticut. La &oci.te des 4o Hommes ct Ch1uX at its business sesslon held here ur0iy. Other officers eleCt'd were:
 Grand chef de train. Williams BaIlou. Bridgeport; Cheminot na- tirnal, Harold T, Dyson, Hartford; Grand correspondent. Clyde Skinn,r, West Haven, Alternate creminot, National, Orvid Arpin, Baltic; Assis- tant grand correspondent, Martin A. Chambers, New Haven; Grand con- ductor. T. r. Sullivan. Waterbury: Grand commissaire intenIant, Paige A seaton. Waterbury,; Grand Gard de Ia porte, John H, Cruise, Nv Iondan: Grand porte drapean, Louis Tavlor.
 Mrs. Ccrnie C. Cockir, national vico-presid@rt of tho legion auX!U- arv addressed the meeting. ToEicht the grand rromena ie, preceded by 2 street parade, will be held.