The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-03
HOUSE SUSTA|NS
L|TERACY TEST OF
Immigration BILL
Vote Down Motion to Elm
mate Section by l73 to l20.
Final Action Again
Postponed

Washington. February Final ac-
ton on the Burnett immigration bill
was postponed again tonight, when
the House adjourned after voting down
i73 to 120. a motion of Representative
Goldfogle of New York. to eliminate
the literaey test feature OF the meas
ure. 1t was on account of this pro-
vision that President Taft vetoed
similar measure passed by the last
Congress.
During the day President Wilson let
1t be known that. while he would not
make public his position ON the literacy
test until he was consulted by the
committee of Congress, those who
asked him privately for his views found
that he was opposed to the proposition
because he did not believe it was
fair test of character
Tomorrow debate will continue on
an amendment offered by Representa-
tive Hayes of California. who would ex-
clude Mongolian, Malay and African
immigrants. A modification of this
amendment. introduced by Represen-
tative Lenroot OF Wisconsin, adding
the words unless otherwise provided
for existing agreements as to passport
or by treaties. conventions or agree
ments that may hereafter be entered
into" was adopted just before adjourn
ment by vote of III to 80. With
this change the proposed legislation
would not affect Japanese immigra-
ton.
Most of the Pacific coast represen-
tatives voted for the modification, be-
leving that ii would be Impossible to
ha 81 ~.
amendment. The vote was preceded
by lively debate. in which leaders
on both sides of the House urged
against any legislation that would
conflict with international agreements
or treaties.
Representative Baker of California
voted against the amendment. stating
that he had an understanding with
the immigration committee under
which was not to press the exclusion
of Asatics part of the Burnett
bill on the condition that the committee
later would report on his pending
drastic Asiatic exclusion bill as a sep
arate measure.
Propose New Plan
A new immigration plan which it's
author declares would conserve the
material interests Of the United States
and at the same time satisfy all for
references and determinations, was
proposed today to President Wilson
and Secretary Bryan by Prof. sydney
l.. Gulic<, lecturer at the Imperial
University of Japan
Professor Gulick said tonight that
at the Presidents request he bad sub
mitted to him a detailed statement
Of his proposed measure and had given,
drafts of 1t to Secretary Bryan and
the Senate immigration committee.
Professor Gulic< advocates the elm
ination of all immigration to five per
cent only of the number of foreigners
already naturalized and their Ameri
can children.
''This rate would allow all to enter
this country who might come from
north Europe he says. "and would
cut down Immigration somewhat from
south and east Europe and allow only
a slight immigration from Asia"
The five per cent rate. he says. would
admit no more aliens from any country
than the United States can properly
asslmilate. and the policy would COM
.iletely solve the Japanese problem, put
america right with Asia, and maintain
and deepen international friendship"