Speech #630378314

I observe there is a very radical difference between the amendment proposed by the committee and section 11. for which it is a substitute. From the somewhat hasty examination I haye been able to give these two sections. it seems to me they are worthy of very careful consideration by the Senate. Section 11 as passed by the House provided: That whenever he may deem such action necessary the Secretary of Labor may. at the expense of the appropriation for the enforcement of this act. detail immigrant inspectors and matrons of the United States Immigration Service for duty on vessels carrying Immigrant or emigrant passengers. or passengers other- than first and second cabin passengers. between portsof the United States and foreign ports.. On such voyages said inspectors and matrons shall remain in that part of the vessel where immigrant passengers are carried. It shall be the duty of such inspectors and- matrons to observe such passengers during the voyage. and report to the Immigration authorities in charge at the port of landing any informationof value in determining the admissibility of such- passengers under the laws regulating immigration of aliens Into the United States. It shall further be the duty of such inspectors and matrons to. observe violations of the provisions of such laws and the violation of suchprovisions of the "passenger act" of August 2. 1882. as amended. as relate to the care and treatment of immigrant passengers at sea. and report the same to the proper United States officials at ports of -landing. Whenever the Secretary of Labor so directs. a surgeon of the United States Public Health Service. detailed to the Immigration Service. not lower In rank than a passed assistant surgeon. shall be received and carried on any vessel transporting immigrant or emigrant passengers or. passengerp other than first and second cabin passengers between ports of the United States and foreign ports. Such surgeon shall be permitted to investigate and examine the condition of all immigrant and emigrant passengers In relation to any provisions of the laws regulating the immigration of aliens into the United States and such provisions of the "passenger act" of August 2. 1882. as amended. as relate to the care and treatment of immigrant passengers at sea. and shallimmediately report any violation of said laws to the master or commanding officer of the vessel. and shall also report said violations to the Secretary of Labor within 24 hours after the arrival of the vessel at the port of entry in the United States. Such surgeon shall accompany the master or captain of the vessel in his visits to the sanitary -officers of the ports of call during the voyage. and. should contagious or infectious diseases prevail at any port where passengers are received. be shall request all reasonable precautionary measures for the health of persons on board. Such surgeon on arrival at.ports of. the United States shall also. if requested by the examining board. furnish any information he may possess in regard to immigrants arriving on the vessel to which he has been detailed. While on duty such surgeons shall wear the prescribed uniform of their service and shall be provided with firstclass accommodations on sbch vessel at the expense of the appropriation for the enforcement of this act. For every violatlon of this section any person. including any transportation company owning or operating the vessel in which such violation occurs shall pay to the collector of customs of the customs district in which the next United States port of arrival is located the sum of $1.000 for each and every day during which such violation continues. the term "violation" to include the refusal of any person having authority so to do to permit any such immigrant inspector. matron. or surgeon to be received on board such vessel. as provided in this section. and also the refusal of the master or commanding officer of any such vessel to permit the inspections and visits of any such surgeon. as provided in this section. and no vessel shall be granted clearance papers pending the determination of the question of the liability of such fine. or while it remains unpaid. nor shall such line be remitted or refunded : Providcd. That clearance may be granted prior to the determination of all such questions upon the deposit of a sum sufficient to cover such fine and costs. such sum to be named .by the Secretary of Labor. Mr. President. that provision is stricken out of the bill. and in lieu of it is inserted the mere right of detention of the immigrant when he arrivesa right which exists under the present law and has been exercised for many years. . I have the.temerity to suggest to the Senate that this provision which has been stricken out is the best provision that was In this bill for the purpose of protecting the people of this country against the admission of aliens who ought not- to be allowed to land. It gives an opportunity for real observation and real inspection. It gives the Secretary and the immigration inspectors the opportunity to place their agents immediately among these emigrants when they leave the other side. to keep them there during the entire voyage. to observe the condition. of their health. thdir sanitary condition. their general fitness for citizenship. their disposition toward this country. A multitude of facts can be thus gathered which would be of the greatest service and value to our immigration inspdctors in passing finally upon the right of an applicant for admission. Indeed. this is the first practical suggestion I have ever heard of being offered which goes to the very root of the discovery of the fitness or unfitness of an emigrant to land in this country. Under the conditions as they exist a swarm of emigrants come down to a European dock. are hastily examined. bundled into. the vessel. carried across the ocean. and here they are examined. so we have been informed this morning. at the rate of 40.000 a day. An inspection of that kind can not be a close inspection. An inspection of that kind can not determine. in the very nature of things. any question that does not lie inimediately upon the surface.