Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-02
FAVOR RIGID LAWS
Restriction of immigration
Urged at Hearing.
WANT ILLITERACY TEST
Members of National Council of Ju.
ni0r Order Of American Me-
chanics Before Committee.
WANT ILLITERACY TESI

Arguments favoring congressional leg
islation restricting immigration and hav-
ing as the chief restriction strict enforce
ment Of the illiteracy test were advanced
today by the National Council of the
Junior Order of American Mechanics be-
fore the committee on immigration and
naturalization of the House, Representa-
tive John L. Burnett of Alabama, chair
man.
Rev. NJ d. Lichliter, national chap
lain of the order and chief clerk of the
agriculture department of Pennsylva-
mia, was the chief spokesman. He told
the members of the committee that the
organization heartily Endorsed the re-
port of the immigration commission ap-
pointed by the government.
This commission, while it offered no
conclusive recommendations, Chairman
Burnett explained to the committee, ia
vored the reading and writing test.
Rev. Mr.. Lichlfter advanced the argu-
ments presented to Congress by Repre-
sentative Burnett, who was member of
the commission, urging the strict enforce
ment Of an illiteracy test for all immi-
grants into this country. This, would
greatly reduce the undesirable immigra-
ton from southern and eastern Europe
and go a great way toward excluding the
low criminal class
Object of Organization.
The Junior Order of American Mechan-
les. the speaker explained to the COM
mittee. is not business or industrial Or
ganization, but patriotic society, repre-
senting every state in the Union. Its
main object, he pointed out, is working
for immigration legislation.
Representative Caleb Powers OF KEN
lucky desired to know. the conditions
under which the foreign laborers in the
great industrial and mining centers of
Pennsylvania live, and Rev. Mr.. Lichliter
declared that the foreign laborer could
live under conditions and circumstances
where it would be impossible for an
American laborer to exist.
He quoted from a report by Samuel
Gompers, president Of the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor, regarding the existing
conditions in the anthracite coal regions
of western Pennsylvania, which declared
that European labor has almost supplant-
ed American labor in the mines.
That the hope for the future lies in the
strict enforcement of the illiteracy act,
Rev. Mr.. Lichliter argued, already has
been advanced by Representative Bur-
nett, and he urged the committee to
adopt the views supported by its chair
man. He read reports that showed the
amount of illiteracy among immigrants.
and declared that instead of scattering
over the country almost all the immi-
grants settled in certain parts of the
country, where in many Of the towns and
industrial centers the English language
Is rarely used.
He quoted from reports showing that
foreign laborerS in the mining fields In
some cases have received $50 a month
and have spent so month. leaving the
rest as gain. They exist on food that the
American stomach cannot digest. Clos
ing his remarks, Rev. Mr.. Lichiiter ap-
pealed to the committee in behalf of the
American people, whose real existence is
threatened, to have passed by Congress a
broad and efficient immigration law that
would not only protect the American
the character and number of immigrants
coming into this country.
Will Work for Bill.
Representative Fitzgerald of New York,
at the conclusion of the argument, told
the national council that the committee
would work for the passage of such a
bill and promised that 1t would pass the
House and the Senate John J. weitzel.
national councillor, made the Introductory
remarks and stated the position of the
order on the Immigration question. He
introduced Rev. Mr.. Lichlter, who had
been chosen to address the committee.
Preparations have been made for the
visitation of the local grand officers to
Star Spangled Banner Council, No. 8. at
its hall at 7th and d streets northwest
tonight for the reception to the national
and visiting state officers. Invitations to
attend have been extended to Senators
Penrose of Pennsylvania Overman of
North Carolina, and Representatives An