New-York tribune., 1906-06-26
IMMIGRATION BARS,
HOUSE MANGLES BILL.
Little Prospect of Final Passage
ConferreeS to Consider Subject.
TFrom The Tribun. Bureau

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, June 25-When the House got
through with the immigration bill late this
afternoon after a day of violent and at times
intensely personal debate, there was little left
OF the measure except the framework out of
the wreckage practically the only new provision
Of Importance saved was that establishing bu-
Of information to facilitate the oistribu-
tion of immigrants. The proposed increase of
the head tax from 50 TO s.. 10 which the Sen
ate had given its approval, went out in short
order. though II strongly supported. The
provision requiring educational test of i'm
migrants before admission was stricken out, and
I'm its place amendment creating a commits
sion 10 investigate the subject Of immigration
with reference TO an iIliteracy test was adopted
Despite much opposition from Mr. Gardner, of
Massachusetts,, in charge Of the bill. and other
members of the immigration Committee a pro-
vision voted into the bill admitting political
and religious refugees. The permission expressly
granted under this provisieh changes existing
laws. and, according to members of the commit
Tee who opposed II. win cause complications in
the administering OF the immigration statutes
The vote on all Of the amendments was close
but under the rule for the consideration OF the
Dill there was no possibility of an aye and no
vote, and members did not have To &C on record
This rule was protested against when 1t was
brought in this morning by Mr.. Gardner who
declared that il did not give opportunity for fair
consideration OF the bill Mr.. Gardners friends
are saying tonight that he did not get fair
treatment by the Rules Committee and tho
statement is made that the bill would not have
been SO badly mangled had the House been af-
forded freer opportunity for discussion Of
the important features OF legislation contained
IN the measure and its members compelled 70
go on record by vote. Mr Gardner expressed
great surprise over the ironclad form of the
rule brought in by the Rules Committee allow
ing only three hours for debate and no oppor-
tunity for vote on the amendments after agree
ment by the Committee Of the Whole Mr. Gard
ner Is convinced that rule given only be-
cause OF his threat OF a caucus, and had not
anticipated that the rule would be SO severe
CoNFERREEs NAMED.
immediately after the passage OF the hill,
Speaker Cannon announced the appointment of
c"nferrecs on the part of the House naming Mr.
4 Howell. OF New Jersey; Mr.. Bennet Of Nez.
! York. end Mr.. Rupert (Dem) of New York
/ IL Is thought that the Inevitable result OF the
vote In the House to-day will prevent the I'm
migration bill from becoming a law ct this ses-
SION The Senate. which has already passed a
stringent imms ration law similar 10 that re-
! ported 10 the House to-day by the Immigration
! Committee, II is thought, will object TO the
ernasculatod bin adopted BY the House and nd
| agreement will be reached before adjournment
by vote of ei 10 % the House. in Committed
Q, the Whole, to-day decided in favor Of a 8:
feao tnN' which is the present law. against n s:
heao Tax reported by the committee Two dis
lnci camps developed during the consideration
"f th's section OF the bill. both intent on achiey
ing victory. and the amendment 10 the commit
zee oii reducing the tax from 20 50 was de
bated earnestly by Mr. Ste.nerson NSipn.so,a
MI Gardner. Massachusetts: hfr Bennett :soy
York; MIR Bsr;hoidt Missouri. ard Mr. Burnett
Alabama.
], was Insisted on the one hand that S. hea
TAX would tend To decrease the number oe alien
and tend TO exclude tie less desirable M,
Gardner pronounced himself in favor Of a hea,
AH OF $ss. believing that even with that Ia