Mr. Hay to Count Vinci.
Washington, June 23, 1899.
Sir: I have received your note of the 20th of June, calling the attention of this Department to certain statements made on the 10th of February last by Mr. Powderly, Commissioner-General of Immigration for the Treasury Department, before the Industrial Commission, now in session in this city. After quoting various remarks of Mr. Powderly criticising the action of the Italian immigration bureau, now established at the Barge Office in New York, and after bringing to my notice that the Commissioner-General quoted in support of these criticisms the evidence of one Celso Cesare Moreno, you refer to the antecedents of Moreno, and call my attention to the fact that the Italian bureau has always been beneficent and disinterested as regards immigration, and mention the care that has been taken by your Government to cause the action of the bureau always to be exerted in harmony with the Federal immigration laws. You express also the confidence of the Royal Italian Government that no obstacles shall be placed in the way of the free action of the bureau, which, by reason of its humanitarian objects, is deserving of unconditional support, both material and moral.
Your note has been read with the interest and attention which the importance of the subject requires, and I have without delay submitted it to the attention of the Secretary of the Treasury, commending the matter of which it treats to his early and favorable consideration.
Be pleased to accept, etc.,