New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-07
TAFT SITS AS JUDGE
ON IMMIGRATION BILL
Spends Three Hours Hearing
Arguments For and Against
Approval of Measure.
lLLlTERACY TEST ATTACKED
This the Most Objectionable
Feature in the Opinion of
Those Who Urge a Presi-
dental Veto.
lFrom Ire Tribune Bureau 7

Washington. Feb. 6--Argumcuts for
and against the immigration bill. particu-
larry with reference TO the educational
test provision. were made to-day TO Presi-
dent Taft. who has the measure before
him foy approval or disapproval In addi-
lion several briefs were submitted.
Fully two hundred and fifty persons
from all parts of the country. represent
ing various nationalities, labor ana other
organizations. attended the hearing. a
majority wanted TO take part in the ar
guments. but President Taft said he could
not give more than three hours TO the
subject.
Most OF the debate was directed to the
literacy test provision which is the most
Objectionable feature. in the opinion of
those opposing the measure
The principal speakers against the bil!
were Chief Justice Harry Olson. of the
city Courts of Chicago. representing, he
said, the Scandinavian people and So
cicties: Professor Marion u. Learned.
vice-president Of the University Of Penn
sylvania. representing German-Ameri-
cans: Dr.. Theodore Sutro. president of
the German American Alliance, Repre-
sentative -Goldfogle. representing the
Jewish organizations and societies oil
New York: David A. Lourie. representing
a large committee of New England fra
ternal and charitable bodies: Louis Mar
shall, Of New York, and Juhus Rosen-
thai, of Chicago.
In favor Of the bill were Frank Nor
rison. Representative Powers, OF Ken
lucky. from a district said TO have fewer
citizens of foreign birth and extraction
than any other in the United States; f. ;.
Katzenbach OF Trenton. representing the
Junior order Of United American Me
chanics: r. T. Duckworth. Of the Farm
ers' Education and Cooperative Society;
Henry Abraham. Of the Central LABOR
Union OF Boston: Or. l.. +. Barker and Or.
r. W. Salmon. of New York. representing
medical and hygienic organizations; Mrs.
Julia Roth of Toledo. secretary or the
National Council Of the Daughters OF
America. and others.
one petition. containing a half-miHion
rames opposing the bill was presented
the -ienerS being from the Northwestern
rart Of the country The President also
he'd before him protests from Germany
Italy and the Netherlands against the
PROVISION which authorizes the secretary
4 Commerce and Labor TO place IN
yr.ctors. matrons and public health scr
vice surgeons aboard immigrant ships 10
g.. OFF 20 American immigration authofi-
Ties on tie condition and treatment %.
immigrants on the voyage.
Aiotrer protest from Austria is said
to Zee ol the Way, and limitations have
been received that France and England
Mill Join IT,, protest All the PROTESTING
nations are said 10 regard the provision
as an infringement OF their sovereignty
ovor their ships OF the high seas, and as
8mpugninc the faith of their officials n
;bc execution of the immigration laws
x-Representative William :. Bennett
al New York. suggested that President
Taft veto the bill, since Woodrow Wilson
would be iuaugurated soon and had eX-
pressed his intention OF calling an extra
session Of Congress. II Congress actually
was I'm favor Of the iteracy test, Mr.
Bennett said. the bill could be passed and
20 into effect within few months.