Speech #590092279

I think we would accomplish more if we would make it double the amount of all moneys received. Then there is no profit left. But if we collect a hundreddollar fine and let the steamship company collect a hundred and fifty dollarsthey have $100 to pay the fine. $50 to pay expenses of deportation. and hence make a profit The point I am making to the Senate is that if you take the profit out of this transaction. there will not be the temptation to violate the law. Suppose the steamship company knowingly brought a contagiously diseased Immigrant to the United States for $25. Now. if you impose a penalty of $50. or double the amount collected. for bringing him. and the steamship company has received only $25. there is a loss of $25. and no Incentive to repeat the transaction. But if you impose merely a penalty of $100. as is proposed here. and the steamship companies can collect $150 from the mmigrant. they are willing to take the chance. because they make a profit even though they pay the $100 fine. That is the condition as I see it in this bill. You provide a hundred dollars penalty here. and then the steamship company can charge the immigrant what it pleases. There is a circular of instructions issued to pursers by certain steamship companiesit has been published in the 1904 report of the CommissionerGeneralin which pursers are instructed to receive on board dangerous contagiously diseased persons upon the deposit of $150-$100 to indemnify against the fine and $50 to coverthe expenses of deportation.