The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-02-16
CLAUDE ALBURY
READS MESSAGE
ON IMMIGRATION
NATURALIZATION RVIcE
ALSO APPRISED OF MANNER
IN WHICH DEPARTMENT
WOULD HANDLE BUSINESS

At a recent assemblage of men,
bers of the local immigration and
Naturalization Service. Claude AL
bury, inspector in charge, read a
message from United States Com
missioner Daniel w. MacCormack
pertaining to the duties of the
personnel.
1t was the first of a weekly Sc
ries by experts covering the pur-
poses and policies of the depart
ment urging performance of du-
ties efficiently, but at the same
time humanely and in spirit of
helpfulness. rather than persecu-
ton.
"The following are some of the
points which I would like to have
all of you keep constantly in
mind" Commissioner MacCor-
mack's message said:
1--WE are a service. That
means that not only are we public
servants in the ordinary sense of
the word, but that our organiza-
ton is assigned to serve and as
sist aliens coming to this country,
or seeking American citizenship.
"2-Prosecutions are an newt
able incident to our work. but
they must never degenerate into
prosecutions. We must always
keen in mind the essentially ju-
d'cial nature of our duties. our
OBLIGATION to accord fair and i'm
partial hearings and our respon-
sibility for the development of all
facts. both for and against, the in
terests of the government and of
the alien concerned.
Most Useful Methods
3-Courtesy and consideration
are the least expensive and per-
haps the most useful of the tools
we must employ in our work.
"The immigrant inspector on
line duty who greets the border
crosser with good morning and
a smile goes far toward eliminat-
ing the possibility of friction or re-
sentiment at the questions he must
necessarily ask those coming be-
fore him. If he must turn him
back or hold him for further ques-
tioning, he can soften the decision
by prefacing his remarks with I'm
sorry
"The boarding officer who
greets the citizen or alien examines
courteously. touches his questions
in polite phraseology, avoids
gruff, impersonal tone, and strives
to use one that is friendly and
encouraging. not only with COM
plete his examinations more rapid
ly and with less friction but will
make friends for himself, his
service and his country.
inspectors in final hearings
should take steps to see that the
alien is accorded an opportunity to
be properly represented by a well
fare agency. if necessary, as this
does much to inspire confidence
in the justice of our procedure.
The presence of representative
of welfare agency does not, of
course. preclude the right of an
alien to be represented by counsel,
and in no instance should the in
spector fail to advise the alien of
such right.
Dispels Fear
"The naturalization examiner
who is courteous. avoids any ap-
pearance of harshness, arbitrar-
mess, or irritability, does much to
dispel fear, expedite examination.
and inspire confidence in the
service and in the government.
eff, in our contact with the
aliens who come before us, we
constantly have in mind the neces-
sity for courtesy, consideration
and fairness, we may confidently
expect a prompt recognition of this
treatment on the part of the alien
population and of those concerned
with their welfare.
1--WE must bear constantly in
mind that the port inspectors con-
stitute the first contact of return
ing Americans and arriving aliens
with the officials of our govern
ment and that the treatment they
accord those coming before them
has reactions throughout our eoun-
try and far beyond our shores.
They can and should be not only
guardians of the gate but ambas-
sailors of good will"
The next lecture will be given
by Mr.. Albury on Monday, much
interest centering in these talks.
A neaeh tree in Charlotte. -.