In 1918, my great grandfather Jue Joe planned to arrange for the immigration of his wife and two sons to the United States. Although Jue Joe was a successful farmer by that time, restrictive immigration laws prevented farmers or other "laborers" from bringing their families into the United States. One of the exempt classes who were allowed to do so were merchants. Many Chinese, including Jue Joe,bought partnerships in Chinese mercantile firms to allow them to be designated as merchants and bring their families over from China. Over the years, the immigration service understood that many of the men claiming merchant status were not bona fide merchants and increasingly strict investigations were conducted. Interestingly, as the critera for defining the merchant class became more formal , as did the nature and format of investigations , opportunities arose for Chinese to better "game" the process. Chinese had no scruples in circumventing what they considered unjust and unfair racist laws . In fact ,circumventing unjust laws began only after major and unified attempts by the Chinese community were made to defeat the unfair laws in the courts. As it became clear that the exclusionary laws would stand , and as Exclusion era immigration polices and procedures became more formal and ritualized, deception and circumventing these procedures and policies became widespread amongst the Chinese community. Chinese often had the help of Caucasian immigration attorneys who were well versed in the immigration law and procedures and could aid Chinese in circumventing these procedures. Often the Chinese in a quest to reunite with long lost families were willing to spend small fortunes to circumvent the laws and reunite with their families.
It is against this background that we will consider my great grandfather's successful efforts to establish his "merchant" status. Jue Joe has known Hom Sich Chung for many years . He is about Jue Joe's age , was born in China , but been in the United States for many years and owns a grocery business in Los Angeles.
He is also known by his American name of Tom Chung. Tom Chung is my great grandfather through my father's mother.
Here is a picture of Tom Chung.
His son is Thomas G. Chung . In 1911 Thomas starts the Thomas G. Chung Company a commission produce company. Here is a passport picture of Thomas G. Chung in 1918 at age 25. ( He is also has a Chinese name (Tom Kim Goon) which he uses on this passport.)
In 1914 Gage Wong buys into the business and joins Thomas.
Here is picture of Gage Wong in 1918,. He is 22 years old.
Jue Joe buys into the business in 1916. The three become partners. He is the old man in the business.
Here is a picture of Jue Joe in 1918, age 62.
In order to establish his mercantile status. Jue Joe must have evidence that he works only as a merchant in said business and does no farming or other labor for a period of at least one year. He will be required to show partnership papers to establish that he is indeed a partner in said business. He will need to have testimony by his partners as to his bonafide status as a merchant. He will also need independent testimony by Caucasians who are in a position to interact with him as a merchant .He will have to have detailed knowledge of the finances of the business , profit , income , salaries paid etc. His answers will need to match with testimony independently given by his partners. Jue Joe is aware of this and prepares for the immigration investigation of his merchant status. He, his partners, and his witnesses are ready.
There is a wrinkle however. Just prior to the immigration investigation Thomas G. Chung applies and receives a passport to go to China. According to an affadavit in support of Thomas's passport application , Gage Wong states :
"We are anxious to increase our business opportunities, and realizing the tremendous awakening that is now being experienced in the Republic of China, have decided to investigate and see if the business knowledge we have gained can be utilized advantageously there. For that reason we are desirous of sending Tom Kim Goon(aka Thomas G. Chung) and Wong Hing Sheung to China and have them look into conditions there and report the prospects of the successful opening of a canning factory, either in Hong Kong city, Canton city or some other large center of population ."
Later in Gage's sworn testimony it turns out Wong Hing Sheung is his brother.
Interestingly , Thomas marries just 10 days after getting his passport in late January of 1918 and shortly after his marriage suddenly departs for China with Wong Hing Sheung in February of 1918. Laura , his new wife, has been having issues with her passport and is unable to leave with her husband. In her affadavit to apply for her passport, she states that her husband has had to leave on urgent business to China and thus unable to wait for her to complete her passport process. Laura, ultimately does get her passport and joins her husband . They spend a year travelling about China and return in 1919 and Thomas resumes as manager of his business. By leaving Los Angeles and going to China , Thomas G. Chung becomes a "silent partner" in the business and his status as such is recorded on partnership documents.
The year 1918 was a most important year in American history. In the spring of that year, large number of American men who had registered in 1917 in the first selective service draft were being called to serve on the Western front in Europe in World War I. Thomas G. Chung had registered for the draft in 1917 as had Gage Wong. Gage Wong's brother Wong Hing Sheung would be required to register in the summer of 1918 having turned 21. (Draft age was 21 in those days). All three young men had been born in the United States and were American citizens. Perhaps there were other reasons for the two young men to take a sudden year long trip to China?
In any event, Jue Joe now has only one partner to be a witness at his immigration hearing to establish his merchant status. He does , however, also have two Caucasian witnesses as well.
Jue Joe's attorney sends a letter to the US Immigration Service saying that Jew Joe has received a telegram that his family is enroute and that Jue Joe would like the investigation into his mecantile status to proceed forthwith. Here is a photocopy of Jue Joe's attorney's letter and the telegram. (Click on image to enlarge and read)
Attached are copies of the partnership agreements submitted by Jue Joe's attorney (Click on images to enlarge and read).
In receipt of this paperwork , the US Immigration Service is ready to begin it's investigation into the validity of Jue Joe's alleged merchant status. Attached is a full transcript of the investigation and the final result .
U.S. Department of Labor
Immigration Service
Mexican Border District
Office of Inspector in Charge
Los Angeles,California
File No. 5530/362
April 19, 1918 1:00 P.M.
In re ---
Leong Shee, wife
and
Jew Sun Yeaw, Son
Jew Sun Tong, Son
of Merchant ,Applicants for Admission
W. A. Brazie, Inspector-Stenographer
Ng Gunn, Chinese Interperter.
AD INTERIM INVESTIGATION
John B. Stevens, witness , being first duly sworn , testified as follows:
Q State your name , age , residence and occupation?
A John B. Stevens; 44; live at 115 East 47th Place, Los Angeles
Q Where is your place of business?
A On the New Seventh street market; formerly on the Sixth street market, but we moved last week.
Q Do you know this man? ( Submitting photo of Jew Joe, alleged father, attached to application)
A Yes, that is Jew Joe; have known him eight or nine years.
Q What is his occupation?
A He used to be a potato raiser when I first knew him, but for the last year and a half he has been a merchant of Thomas G. Chung Co., on the Sixth street market, but they moved to the Seventh street market last Monday.
Q How frequently have you visited the store of Thomas G. Chung Co., during the past year?
A Every morning.
Q Did you always find Jew Joe there ?
A Most every time. He is there practically every time I am around there.
Q Have you ever transacted business with him as a member of that firm?
A Yes; we have done jobs for them, such as sorting potatoes for the house, and sometimes he paid me for that work, and sometimes others would pay me.
Q Do you consider Jew Joe a bona fide merchant?
A Yes, sir
Q Has he done any work as a laborer during the past year?
A No, sir, nothing more than buying and selling at that store.
Q Is there a restaurant, lodging house, laundry or lottery conducted at the Thomas G. Chung store?
A No, sir; nothing like that.
Q What other members of that firm do you know?
A I know Thomas G. Chung , who went to China recently; this man Jew Joe and the young fellow they call Wong; know them well. There are several other Chinamen working there, but I don't know whether they belong to the firm or not .
(Signed) JOHN B. STEVENS.
FLOYD G. HALL, witness , being duly sworn, testified as follows:
Q State your name, age ,residence and occupation?
A Floyd G. Hall, 32; live at 727 Camulos street, Los Angeles, California, and am in the produce business on the Seventh street market now, formerly on the Sixth Street market, but moved last Monday. I also sort potatoes, vegetables, etc. for other firms.
Q Do you know this man ? ( Exhibiting photo of Jew Joe, alleged father and husband attached to application)
A Yes, sir; I have known him for about a year and a half. His name is Jew Joe.
Q What is his occupation?
A Ever since I have known him he has been with the firm of Thomas G. Chung Co., on the Sixth street market, No. 117 , until last Monday, when they moved to the Seventh street market.
Q How frequently have you visited their store during the past year?
A Two or three times a week.
Q On your visits there did you always find Jew Joe at the store?
A Yes, always found him there or out in the yard at the market buying stuff for his store.
Q Have you ever transacted business with him as member of that firm?
A Yes, quite often I have sorted potatoes, etc. for that firm and usually made my contract with Jew Joe. Jew Joe usually paid for my work , which was always done by contract.
Q Do you consider Jew Joe a bona fide merchant?
A Yes, sir; I do.
Q Has he done any work as a laborer during the past year?
A Never did any since I have known him; nothing more than work in the store.
Q Is there a restaurant, lodging house, laundry or lottery conducted in the Thomas G. Chung store?
A No.
Q What other members of that firm do you know?
A I know Thomas G. Chung, who went to China about two months ago; Jew Joe and Gage Wong. Several others work there, but I am not sure they are members of the company.
(Signed ) FLOYD G. HALL
JEW JOE, alleged husband and father, being first duly sworn, testified through interpreter as follows:
Q State all your names ?
A Jew Joe, childhood name; Jew Fong Jung, married name. No other names.
Q How old are you ?
A 63 years; born HF 6-8-28 ( September 26, 1856) , in Sam Gong village, Tai Hong Lee
section, Sun Woy district, China.
Q Your father's name?
A Jew Leong Keow, died in China over 20 years ago. Never in the United States.
Q Your mother's name?
A Lee Shee; small bound feet , died in China KS 29-1 ( January-February, 1903) , never in the United States
Q Have you any brothers and sisters ?
A Three brothers and one sister.
Q Name your brothers and sister ?
A Jew Nuey, died in Alaska over 20 years ago
Jew Yow, died in China over 20 years ago. Never in the United States.
Jew See, 54, born in China , still living in my home village in China, He was in the United States, but went back to China about 11 or 12 years ago.
Sister, Jew How, about 65, married to Leong man, but he died .
My sister lives in Nom Long village, Sun Woy district, China.
Q What is your wife's name?
A Leong Shee, about 35 , natural feet, married her KS 28-9 (October 1902) , forget the day, married her in Sam Gong Village, she is from Mar Chung village, my only wife. She is coming to the United States with my two sons.
Q How many children have you?
A Just two boys , no girls. They are coming here with my wife.
Q Name your two sons?
A Jew Sun Yeaw, 15 , born KS 29-8-17 ( October 9, 1903), in Sam Gong Village, China.
The other boy is Jew Sun Tong, 13, born KS 31-7-17 (August 17, 1905) , in Sam Gong village, China.
Q Did you ever have any other children?
A No , just two boys.
Q When did you first enter the United States?
A TG 12( 1873) , on a steam vessel , and landed at San Francisco.
Q Have you made any trips to China since then?
A Only one trip, KS 28-4 ( May-June 1902), as a laborer from Los Angeles, SS Nippon Maru. Returned KS32-1 (January-February 1906) , SS Mongolia, via San Francisco
Q Did you register during the regsitration period?
A Yes. ( Presents certificate of residence No. 143557, issued in lieu of CR No. 130256, proof of loss, in the name of Jew Joe, 39 , laborer-farmer, residing at St. Helena, California, same being dated May 3, 1894 and signed F.P. Sargeant, Comr. Genl.)
Q What is your present occupation and address?
A Merchant of Thomas G. Chung Co., now 772 Seventh street market , just moved last Monday from 117-118 Sixth street market.
Q How long have you been a member of that firm?
A I joined that company September 1, 1916, American calendar.
Q How did you acquire your interest there?
A Paid Thomas G. Chung $1000 for my interest.
Q How many partners are there in the firm of Thomas G. Chung Company?
A Only three. Gage Wong, $1000, manager. Myself, Jew Joe, $1000, buyer and salesman. Thomas G. Chung, old manager, $1000, went to China about two months ago.
Q Does your firm keep a partnership book ?
A Yes ( Presents same, which is entirely in English and shows above names. )
Q Will you file a copy of your partnership list , together with photographs of the active partners, to be used as an exhibit in this case?
A Yes, (Same filed herewith, marked "Exhibit A")
Q What is the value of the stock on hand in your store at this time?
A Only about $200 or $300. It is a produce business, and each morning we get in over $800 worth of fruits and vegetables, but sell most of it out the same day.
Q How much business did your firm do last year ?
A About $200,000
Q What was the total profit made by your firm last year?
A $5100
Q How was that profit divided ?
A Each partner got $1700 as his share.
Q What rent do you pay?
A Now in the new place $72 a month. In the old place we paid $40 a month.
Q Does your firm pay salaries?
A Yes , I get $17 a week and Gage Wong gets the same. We also have four hired men who get $17 a week each.
Q Have you done any work outside the store during the past year?
A No, all the time work in the store.
Q Is there a restaurant , loding house, laundry or lottery run in connection with your store?
A No.
Q Do you know any Chinese persons born in Los Angeles?
A Yes, I know all the children of Hom Sich Chung, they were all born here, but I cannot state the dates of their birth. Thomas G. Chung, my partner, is his son.
Q Do you know any Chinese persons born elsewhere in the United States?
A No.
Q Can you testify to the facts surrounding the birth of any Chinese person anywhere in the United States?
A No , I cannot remember that.
Q Have you every been a witness for any Chinese person claiming birth in the United States?
A No
Q Have you understood the interpreter at all times during this examination?
A Yes.
(Tracing of signatures): Jew Joe ( In English and Chinese)
GAGE WONG , witness being first duly sworn, testified in English as follows:
Q State all your names?
A Gage Wong is my American name; Wong Hing Chung is my Chinese name. No other names. Not married.
Q How old are you?
A 22, born July 21, 1893, at Downey, California, on the Governor Gage Ranch, that is how I got my name.
Q Have you any documentary evidence of your birth?
A I have an affidavit of my birth, but that is kept at Anaheim, California.
Q What is your father's name?
A Wong Sai Sing, died in Los Angeles , July 1908.
Q Your mother's name?
A Gin Shee,natural feet, died in Los Angeles, December 31, 1908.
Q Have you any brothers and sisters?
A Only one brother, no sisters. My brother is Thomas Wong, American name and Wong Hung Sheung, Chinese name, 21 , born in Los Angeles. Now in China, went there with Thomas G. Chung, a couple of months ago.
Q Have you ever made any trips to China?
A No , sir.
Q What is your occupation and address?
A Merchant and manager of Thomas G. Chung Co., 778 seventh Street, on the Central Avenue Los Angeles Terminal Wholesale Market, justed moved there last Monday from the Sixth street market, where our place used to be 117-118 Sixth street.
Q How many partners are there in the Thomas G. Chung Co.,
A Just three of us. Thomas G. Chung, was manageer until he went to China , about two months ago, he has $1000 interest in the busines. Myself, Gage Wong, $1000, manager. Jew Joe, $1000, buyer and salesman.
Q What is the value off the stock on hand in your store?
A About $200 or $300. In the morning we get a new stock , about $1000, and sell it alll out and ship it away. We have a produce commission business. Not much stock left at night.
Q How much business di the firm of Thomas G. Chung Co., do last year?
A Pretty close to $200,000.
Q How much profit was made last year?
A About $5100, little over .
Q How was that $5100 divided?
A Each partner received $1700 profits for last year.
Q What rent do you pay?
A On Seventh street market we have to pay $72 a month, on the Sixth street market we paid $40 a month.
Q Does your firm pay salaries?
A Yes , Jew Joe and I each get $17 a week . We have four hired men , and we pay them $17 a week each.
Q How long has Jew Joe been a member of your firm?
A Since September 1, 1916 , he bought $1000 interest from Thomas G. Chung.
Q How long have you been connected with that firm?
A Since July 1, 1914.
Q Has Jew Joe done any work outside the store during the past year ?
A Not any.
Q Is there a restaurant, lodging house, laundry, or lottery run in connection with your store?
A No, it is located in on a public market.
Q Have you anything further to say?
A Not unless you ask me .
Q Do you know any Chinese persons born in Los Angeles?
A Yes , a good many of them , but I cannot tell anything about it.
Q Do you know any Chinese persons born elsewhere in the United States?
A No.
Q Can you testify to the facts surrounding the birth of any Chinese persons born anywhere else in the United States?
A No , I cannot say anything about that.
Q Have you appeared as a witness for any Chinese person claiming birth in the United States?
A No.
Q Have you understood all questions asked of you during this examination?
A Yes.
(Tracing of signatures): Gage Wong in English and Chinese.
U. S. Department of Labor
Immigration Service
Office of Inspector in Charge ,
Los Angeles, Cal.
April 19,1918
In the matter of Leong Shee, wife and Jew Sun Yeaw and Jew Sun Tong, alleged sons , of Jew Joe, a merchant of Los Angeles, I beg to report that I have conducted an ad interim investigation regarding the mercantile status of the said Jew Joe, and herewith hand you record of same.
I find from the testimony in this case that said Jew Joe entered the firm of Thomas G. Chung Co., which is now located on the Seventh street market, having recently moved from the old Sixth street market, on September 1, 1916, and since said time he has done no work as a laborer, that he is at the present time a bona fide merchant.
The firm of Thomas G. Chung, Co., is composed of but three members and is one of the largest wholesale produce dealers in the Los Angeles. Their stock, of course, varies, they securing a new stock each morning . No objectionable features were found at said store.
(Signed) W. A. Brazie, Chinese Inspector.
.bmp)
