Speech #600064556

She said that she was returning with several of her relatives. and on account of trachoma she was afraid they could not get in through our ports. On page 75 Mr. Sargent quotes from the special inspector before referred to. as follows: As far as other Immigration is concernednamely. of Syrians and GreeksI have to report that It is on the increase. The steamers landing In Mexico bring more and more of that class of aliens. and I have seen in the office of the Mexican Central Railroad Company some orrespondenco with European steamship companies speaking about the increased traffic In emigrants who want to go to the southwestern parts of the United States from Mexico. From that correspondence it appeared to me that transportation companies In Europe are making an effort to get as many emigrant passages as possible for the United States via Mexico. The immigrants who come that way are afflicted with trachonia and other diseases which debar them from entering through our ports. and the steamship companies are lending a willing hand to these violators of our law. Mr. Chairman. my observation of the steamship companies that bring immigrants to our shores convinces me that they are the most arrogant and lawless of any corporations or individuals who abuse the privileges given to them. Even now they are knocking at the doors of Congress to secure an amendment of a law which we passed at the last session giving more air space and better comforts to the poor immigrants whom they huddle together in the steerage of their ships like so many dumb. driven cattle. -