Speech #590091316

I conclude. The contractlabor law is in the statute now. I may say. only by inference. but there are provisions in sections 4. 5. 12. and 13 relating to the contractlabor law. and we are constantly deporting those who are here contrary to it. Yet. the real enactment which I have just read is not in the law. and we have restored it as it was in the act of 1903. so there shall be no question in the courts as to our right to debar contract laborers. Then there is another amendment in section 2 which is Intended to do away with what is known as the "padrone system." by which men bring over from Italy and from other countries boys from 12 to 16 years of age and control their lives and their earnings. their goings and their comings. until they reach their majority. This clause is as follows: All children under 17 years of age unaccompanied by their parents. unless coming to join parents already in this country who are able to support them. or unless.