Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-09
DOAK ASKS FOR AID
IN DRIVE ON ALIENS
Reply to Wickersham Study
Urges More Equipment
and Bigger staff.
~ the Associated press.

BY the Associated Press
A call for more men and equipment
10 seek out and report a huge body OF
aliens illegally residing In the United
states came yesterday from Secretary
of Labor Doak
Aroused by the criticism of the latest
Wfckersharn report, the Secretary hit
back at some of its suggestions, but
agreed with 1t that additional deporta-
ton machinery would help reach hun
dreds Of thousands" Of aliens now here,
many of them criminals.
The commissions report written
largely by Reuben Oppenheimer, Balti-
more attorney. accused Federal ifnmi-
grafton officials of resorting to oppres-
sion extortion and unconstitutional
methods in their deportation activities.
Nevertheless 1t commended there should
be vigorous enforcement" within legal
and humane limits and that the pres
ent force should be expanded.
Calls system Defective.
Doaks reply asserted steps had been
taken to correct the abuses, but added
that some of the methods recon-
mended bv the report obviously came
from an observer without experience
in the practical problems of deporta-
ton"
NO mention was made either by the
commission, Secretary Doak or the
White House of 67-page letter written
to the commission by Doak after his
first view of Oppenheimer's report, au-
tf1oritatively stated to be critical of the
latter's study.
Yesterday Doak said "the limited
number of cases to which Mr.. Open
heifner refers" in his condemnation of
deportation practices covered q period
prior to his becoming Secretary. He
pointed out also that the Baltimore at
tcrney conceded I'm one part of his re-
port that the defects mentioned could
be charged largely against the deporta-
ton system rather than the Labor
Department.
Wants Practical Laws.
THE major point, however, is that
The American people have right to
deport criminal aliens, and aliens who
have come Illegally irco the country !"
Doak said. ANY practical legislation
that will strengthen the hands Of the
Department of Labc In effecting this
purpose viii be wei coined by the de-
partment.
Il know of no m ore important work
before the country than to rid it Of
alien criminals"
The Secretary pointed out that the
department had been able to increase
the number Of deportations and yoltin-
tary departures He said, however, 1t
could do much better If there were
more cooperation between Federal and
local authorities. and If the laws on
DEPORTATION were stronger
wherever the report supports prac-
ficai measures to this end he said, IT
am for the report
Board Proposal Opposed.
Apparently one of the suggestions TO
which D0ak objected vas that the
Labor Department cease being "a de-
tactive, an agent and o Judge" turn
ing the latter function over to an indie
pendent board. similar to the Board Of
Tax Appeals, to which aliens could
bring their cases.
Two members Of the commission,
dissenting widely from Oppenheimer
report, likewise opposed this suggestion
az likely to lead to confusion, delay,
expense and Illustration of the deporta-
ton Jaws. They wers Col. Henry w.
Anderson Of Richmond, Va, and former
Justice Kenneth Macintosh Of the
washington State Supreme Court.
Both objected strenuously TO the re-
ports of tyTannical and unconstitutional
methods BY immigration oficers. Each
asserted the instances cited were In
suffacient 10 convince them OF the
prevalence Of these practices.