The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1915-01-08
SENATE PASSES
LITERACY TEST
Amendment Permits Entry Of
Belgian Farmers.


tion bill, containing the restrictive lit
eracy test for admission Of aliens
which has been the obstacle in immi-
grafton reform legislation for the
greater part of two national adminis-
trations, passed the senate Saturday
by a vote Of so to Z. The overwhelm-
ing majority was recorded despite the
fact that President Wilson had indica-
ted he would veto the measure, as did
President Taft, if it should come to
him with the educational test includ-
ed.
The vote in the senate indicated that
the bill could be repassed by more
than the required two-thirds majority
should the President reject the meas
ure.
The bill passed the house on Febru-
ary 4 last by vote Of 241 to 1876.
Although the senate amended the
house bill in several particulars, the
literacy test was unaltered, save for
an additional exemption to Belgian
subjects which was adopted after pro-
longed debate.
House leaders probably will ask for
conference on senate amendments
but administration leaders were conf
dent senate amendments would be ac-
cepted and the bill sent to the Presi-
dent by the middle Of the week.
Among senate amendents which
house leaders have said probably would
be accepted is one to exclude from the
United States all persons Of the Afri-
can race or Of negro blood. Another
strengthens the phraseology Of the
prohibition Of polygamists.
Closing hours Of the debate were de-
voted to an amendment by Senator
Lodge to exempt Belgian farmers from
the literacy test and from the provis-
ions which prohibit Americans from
soliciting or inducing immigration
Already several American organizs-
tions are endeavoring to induce Bel
gian refugees to settle in this country.
The amendment, as finally adQpted
by vote Of "a to 20, follows: s
''That the provisions Of this act
relating to the illiteracy test o. III
duced or assisted immigration shall
not apply to agricultural immigrant
from Belgium who come to the Unite
States during the course Of the presenk
European war, or within one. year
after its termination, owing to cir
cumstances or conditions arising
through the war, If 1t is shown to. tho
satisfaction of the commissioner gem
eral Of immigration that the said Bel
gian immigrants come with the inten-
tion of engaging in agriculture in the
United States and to become American
citizens"
Following is a synopsis Of the inn
migration bill passed by the senate:
In general persons over 16 shall be
required to be able to read English or
some language or dialect, including
Yiddish.
Exception to literacy test is made Of
Belgian farmers who come to the Uni
ted States within one year after the
end of the present European war.
Persons fleeing from religious per-
secution also excepted.
Admissible aliens may send for
father or grandfather over Sc, or for
wife, mother, gradnmother or unmar-
ried or widowed daughter, though such
relative may be illiterate.
Polygamists excluded.
Persons Of African race or negro
blood excluded. Excluded list intend
ed to take in vagrants, the tuberculous
and persons who teach or advocate un-
lawful destruction Of property.
Departments of Labor and Com
merce to report to congress whenever
expected immigration threatens to in
crease number Of unemployed or re-
duce wage standard.