MANY CHANGES IN IMMIGRATION LAW

Radical Amendments to Present Statute Proposed In General Bill Introduced in Senate by Dillingham.

TO REPEAL CHINESE EXCLUSION FEATURE

Provides, However, That Alien Not Capable of Citizenship Shall Not Be Admitted -- Chinks Thus Barred Out.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Monday, Aug. 7. -- Many radical changes in the immigration laws are provided for by the terms of a general bill introduced in the Senate today by Senator Dillingham, former chairman of the Senate committee on immigration and of the joint immigration commission. Most of the innovations suggested are the result of investigations of the commission.

The measure proposes to repeal the Chinese exclusion laws, except so far as they relate to naturalization. In their place is substituted an amendment to the general immigration laws, which provides for the exclusion from the United States of "persons who are not eligible to become citizens of the United States by naturalization."

The exclusion does not apply, however, to government officers, travelers and members of the learned professions.

Various features of the present Chinese exclusion laws are made applicable to all immigrants, and except the manual laborers not eligible to citizenship by naturalization, the bill proposes to give Asiatic immigrants the legal status accorded to all other immigrants.

Not Admitted to Citizenship.

The only portion of the various Chinese exclusion laws not repealed is that section of the act of 1882, which provides that no state or federal court shall admit Chinese to citizenship.

Senator Dillingham's bill also provides for the exclusion from the United States of "all male aliens 16 years of age or over, who are physically capable of reading and writing, but unable to read and write in some language or dialect."

It provides, however, that an admissible alien may bring in his father or grandfather over 55 years old, or a son not over 18 years of age, whether such persons are literate or not.

The bill makes it unlawful, under the penalty of $100 for any steamship company to bring to the United States any illiterate alien of the class mentioned, or any alien not eligible to naturalization.

Appointment of Inquiry Heard.

Senator Dillingham's bill provides that boards of special inquiry regarding the admissibility of aliens shall be appointed by the secretary of commerce and labor. Under the present law the boards are appointed by the immigration commissioners at the various ports.

The contract labor provision of the immigration law is retained practically in its present form, but to the excluded class "and persons who have come in consequence of advertisements for manual laborers published in a foreign country," are added. There is provision for the criminal prosecution of corporations, companies or persons who solicit or assist in the importation of contract laborers.

To Punish Companies.

The provision of the present law which permits the importation of skilled labor if labor of a like kind unemployed cannot be found in this country, is amended so as to permit the secretary of commerce and labor to determine the necessity for such importation prior to its accomplishment. A fine of $400 is imposed by the bill for encouraging or soliciting alien immigration. As a further punishment, the President is authorized to prohibit the landing of passengers at United States ports by steamship companies violating this provision.

Authority is given for the deportation of immigrants imprisoned for crime within five years after arrival and of those who become a public charge within three years of landing. Immigrant stations at interior points are provided for as a means of insuring a better distribution of immigrants.