The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-23
Several Representatives Favor
More Restrictions
DISCRIMINATION IS CHARGED
Last Proposition In Bill Evokes Con
siderable Discussion and the Meas
ure Is Postponed Until Today,
When 1t Will Be Concluded.

Washington, May 22-Mr Dillingham;
chairman of the committee on immigra-
ton today called up in the Senate the bill
amending 'the immigration laws. The
present law he regarded as a master
piece of legislation, but said some weak
spots had been found and it was the
purpose of the pending bill to strengthen
them. It was, he added, intended to keep
out a still larger number of defective
classes.
Senator Lattiiner suggested the advisa-
bility of 2 provision requiring the steam
ship companies to deposit twice the
amount of the passage of immigrants to
pay the return passage of those rejected,
but Senator Dillingham; did not believe
such drastic measure necessary.
Senators Piles and Perkins criticised the
present law as too lax in the admission
of insane persons, but Mr. Dillingham;
replied that the law had not been suffi-
oiently tried to justify its condemna-
tIon.
Senator Bacon made the point that the
existing law excludes agricultural labor
ers under contract while admitting other
classes and complained of the discrmina-
tions. lie thought If the barrier were
removed most of the southern states
would bring over immigrants from the
agricultural districts from the cid world
"There is a growing need for 1aborers in
agricultural pursuits he added.
Replies to Bacon.
Senator Patterson said in reply to Mr..
Bacon that but for the contract labor
law, immigrant laborers would be brought
into the country to take the places of
the striking coal miners, and expressed
apprehension that people allowed to enter
as farm laborers would turn to other oc-
cupations which give more continued en-
ployment at better wages Hence, he
contended that the restrictions should not
be removed, but rather that they should
be enforced.
Senator McCrary made a set speech in
support of the bill, urging the regula-
lion of immigration so as to confne our
acquisitions only to the worthy. The pres
ent increase, he characterized as start
ling
''The immigration for the past year
being a greater number of immigrants
than came TO this country during the
1863 years of our colonial life between the
first landing at jamestown and the decla-
ration of independence"
He called attention to the increase in
recent years of the immigrants from
Southeastern Europe and to the falling
off from Southwestern Europe and also
the unequal distribution of the immi-
grants in our northeastern states after
their arrival. He predicted that this un-
even distribution would soon present a.
serious problem to the people of the
large eastern states.
Undesirable Element.
Senator Scott combined in his remarks
the two subjects of immigration and nat
uralization. He took the position that the
laws on both subjects are inadequate
and should be improved. OF immigration
he said many of the acquisitions are un-
desirable and that this low grade ele-
ment is constantly increasing.
He would therefore have much more
stringent regulations than at present for
the restriction of the number and an
improvement of the class and when the
ignorant and vicious immigrants arrive
would extend the restrictions so as NOT
to make it so easy for them to secure the
elective franchise He declared that very
few of these people vote their own senti-
ments but that most of them are the mere
tools of political machines. He asserted
that many foreigners who come to the
United States do only for the mr.
pose of becoming naturalized that they
may be protected against the laws of their
own country when they return to 1t.
The bill was then read through and
the amendments suggested by the com
mittee accepted without opposition until
the last one was reached. This was a
provision for supplying information to
immigrants entering the various ports
and permitting any state to make an ex-
hibit at any immigration station. 1t was
late in the day when this provision was
reached and 1t being evident that much
objection would be made to 1t. further
consideration was postponed until tomor-
row.