Speech #640068521

Mr. Chairman. this amendment tends to protect the immigrant upon the vessel. For years we have heariI a great many complaints as to the treatment of these immigrants respecting the space and the general conditions that prevail in the steerage. My colleague. Mr. GALLAGHER. a few moments ago offered an amendment tending to relieve these unfortunate conditions. This amendment of mine is part of a section which was included in the bill that we reported to the House last year. and I believe it is a good provision. and that it will tend to force the steamship companies. to provide better facilities for these unfortunate people who are obliged to travel in the steerage It is a regulation of the navigation laws. and it gives the Secretary of Labor power to appoint inspectors and matrons to see that the law is enforced. For the information of the Members of the House. I will read the section of last years immigration bill to which I have just referred: That wheneverhe may deem such action necessary the Secretary of Labor may. at time 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 ports of the United States and foreign ports. On such voyages said inspectors and matrons shall remain in that part of thie 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 pert of landing any information of 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 such provisions of the ! passenger act"~ of August 2. 1SS2. as amended. as relate to the care and treatment of immigrant passengeis at sea. cud 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 Immigratoioh Service. not lower In rank than a passed assistant surgeon. shall be received and carried on any vessel transporting immigrant or emigrant passengers. or passengers 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 10 the. care and treatment of immigrant passengers at sea. andI shall immediately report any violation of said laws to the master. or commanding officer of rhe 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 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 pert where. passengers are recel~ed. hmb shall request all reasonable precautionary measures for the ihealth of �persons on board. Such surgeon. on arrival at ports of the United 6States. 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 such .Cssel at the expense of the appropriation for the enforcement of this act. For every violation of this section any person. -including any -transportation company. owning or ioperating 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 tbe .granted clearance papers pending the determination of the question of the liability -of such fine. or while it remains unpaid. nor shall such fine Tbe remitted or refunded: Provided. 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 sun to be named by the Secretary of Labor. I believe that the amendment -should be adopted. because we �owe it to these people to protect them .during their voyage. and we shLould eliminate the .conditions that exist on a great many -of these vessels.