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politics who might easily feel themselves opprest, even tho the great majority of citizens believe that their activities and beliefs are detrimental to the public welfare. We have in our own country, in the case of the Mormons, and of certain extreme believers in Christian Science, not to mention others, examples of people of this type. But, whatever the difficulties the administration might encounter, we clearly ought not to close our doors against those whom the common opinion of the world would consider really the subjects of oppression.

THE DELINQUENTS

The recommendations of the Immigration Commission to restrict more carefully the immigration of criminals, paupers, or the immoral, need practically no comment. Public opinion seems to be absolutely convinced regarding the desirability of the exclusion of these persons, and the measures suggested by the Immigration Commission having, the most of them, become law, the other suggestions are not likely to meet with serious opposition.

BOARDS OF SPECIAL INQUIRY

It is very desirable that the doubtful cases which are found at our ports of entry be treated with great consideration. Thousands of immigrants every year come before the Boards of Special Inquiry, the decisions of which must either, on the one hand, bring great suffering to the immigrant, often separation of families, frequently loss of property, or even physical suffering, or, on the other hand, must result in the admission into this country of people whose influence is likely to be seriously detrimental to its welfare.

In the decision of crucial cases touching thus the deepest sentiments of humanity, all prejudice should be swept aside and the law should be administered humanely, tho firmly. To bring about these results, the Government ought to provide much more liberally than it does at present for the appointment of inspectors of the highest training and of rare personal qualities, even tho the expense be very considerably heightened, both on account of an increase in salaries and in the number of Boards of Inquiry, so that more time might be given to individual cases.

ANOTHER ASSISTANT-SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AND

LABOR

Furthermore, the recommendation of the Commission that an additional Secretary of Commerce and Labor be appointed, to assist in reviewing appeals from the Boards of Inquiry, is very important. When one considers that from the immigrants themselves, through the head tax, all the money required for these reforms, and much more, is collected, there ought to be little hesitancy on the part of Congress in making sufficient provision.

EXPLOITATION AND ASSIMILATION

Emphasis also should be laid upon the recommendations which are intended to prevent the exploitation of immigrants, and to encourage the permanent residence and naturalization of those immigrants who are admitted. We wish those of the best quality, in order that they may make the best citizens, and it is desirable that those who come here with that intent. should be prepared as thoroughly as possible for the new duties of citizenship.

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Especial emphasis should be laid upon the measures that are now taken by many private associations, as well as by the Division of Information of the Bureau of Immigration, to further the process of assimilation of the immigrant. Everything that can be done in the way of assisting immigrants of the better type to invest their savings in the rural districts, and thus to relieve the overcrowded conditions of cities, should be done.

The Government might well, also, cooperate in every possible way with the educational facilities afforded by the different States, and by private associations that are now conducting evening schools for the teaching of American history, American government, etc., as well as by manifesting their sympathy for the immigrants in the severe conditions which they often meet on their first arrival in this country. Too much emphasis can hardly be laid upon receiving the immigrant in a spirit of sympathy and helpfulness which will tend to strengthen his sense of civic and social obligation.

ORIENTAL IMMIGRATION

In the chapter on Oriental Immigration the discussion was perhaps made complete enough so that no further argument is necessary to justify the Government in continuing our present policy of the restriction of oriental immigration, tho the form of selection may well be modified, so as not to wound. the national susceptibilities of any people. The recommendations of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor that all be admitted "except laborers" is worthy of consideration.

CONTRACT LABOR LAW

Of greater importance, however, than any of these questions is that of protecting our industrial conditions by a general restriction of immigration. It seems probable that in some cases our government has emphasized too strongly our contract labor law, so that individuals whose service in special lines of employment would be distinctly beneficial to the country, have been excluded. Moreover, if it were not for the danger of importing men specifically as strikebreakers, or under such conditions that they would tend to retard the improvement of the conditions of our skilled workers, and the steady elevation of the standards of living among such classes, it would seem desirable that the immigrants coming to this country should arrive with some previous knowledge of the occupations which they are to enter; and their coming under contract, instead of being a detriment, would be a benefit to all parties concerned. Beyond doubt, there are very many evasions at the present time of the spirit of our contract labor law. If it were possible so to amend the law as to prevent our immigrants from being used as a means of oppressing American wage-earners, a decided modification of this law would be advisable.

It is certainly desirable that some change be made so that the Secretary of Commerce and Labor might determine in advance the exceptions to the law as it now stands; and it seems proper that some extension in the admitted classes be made, while maintaining strictly the principle of preventing importation which could prove detrimental to wage earners.

GENERAL RESTRICTION

In discussing the question of the further general restriction of immigration, emphasis should be placed upon the principles laid down by the Immigration Commission concerning the demand for labor. The point should be again recalled that a demand for labor is no sign that the welfare of the country would be promoted by additional laborers. As the Commission has well said, the measure of the wise development of a country is to a very great extent dependent upon the economic opportunity afforded to the wage-earningcitizen for his material, mental and moral development, and this opportunity is dependent to a great extent upon a progressive improvement in his standard of living. It is undoubtedly true that an increase in wages so great that our home industries could not meet the competition of foreign countries might easily result in the injury of the wage-earners. Such a redistribution of wealth, therefore, as would probably be brought about from a restriction of immigration can be brought about only within the limits made possible on account of foreign competition, or by concerted action on the part of all competing countries.

Within these limits, however, the principle may be laid down that the most desirable progress of a country is very closely bound up with the progress of its wage-earning classes, and that any influence which tends toward the lowering of their standard of living must be detrimental.

The preceding chapters indicate, beyond possibility of contradiction, that tendencies toward lowering the American standard of living are at work at the present time in this country through our large immi

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