Evening star., 1915-01-30
Gompers Alleges Interested
Companies Financed 0ppo-
sition to immigration Bill.
CHARGE MADE IN LETTER
TO HOUSE COMMITTEE
Head of Federation Of Labor De-
tends the Legislation and Dis
cusses Presidents Veto.

Charges that shipping. steel and min
ing corporations have financed the op-
position to the immigration bill which
has just been vetoed by the President
principally because of its literacy
clause, restricting the entrance of
aliens-were made today by Samuel
Gompers, president of the American
Fedtration of Labor.
These charges we're presented to the
committee on immiargtion in the
House, being filed with Chairman Bur-
nett. They were also printed in the
official organ of the American Fedora
tion of Labor.
Mr.. Gompers claims that his charges
are supported by authentic documents.
many of which bear their own authen-
t'city and others so circumstantially
proven that there is no escape from
their purport." These documents in
clude letters and appeals alleged to
have been sent by officers of the Ma
tional Liberal Immigration League to
corporations for funds and ''Subven-
tons. letters from officers of that league
10 shipping companies of Germany and
france. correspondence purporting 10
show that steamship companies cam
p.ilgned Tor the appointment of Charles
NASel as Secretary of Commerce and
Labor; letter alleged to nave been
written by a prominent steamship COM
pieny to an associate telling of a dele
SatIon from various nationaiitieS sent
70 Washington TO influence associations
Of these nationalities i'll opposition 10
the bill TO restrict Immigration.
Gives Substance of Appeal.
II Is claimed by Mr.. Gompers that
The National imm migration League, in an
appeal Tor financial aid, informed the
L inc
'!1A of alien unskilled labor's ahd. that
# contributions were not, forthcna,ing
II woult not be able ta fssp Ip the
In discussing, the Preside HIS seyko of
the Immigration. bill Mr.. Gompers says
IL has xritteflssra tement to Mr.. Bur
nett. te- -.
The Preside rt gives two reasons for
MS veto: One. That the bill embodies
ttbitshed policy for this country. and
would close the gates OF asylum which
haNe always been open to those who
.oHld find nov here else the rfght@ and
conceived stos bc-- the riattraI and in
aiienabie rights of man. Secondy2that
INC Dill provides for a hteracy tsst
In connection will, the first; objec-
ION II should he understood that with
OUT regard to that provision of the inn
migration bill. the existing law of the
United States does exactly what the
Tending immigration bill emphasizes
a. President's objection Is against
"nat Il now law, even should the I'M
iiAsfati"n,apiil fa1 to become la r, and
IN order 20 remove that objection if
the Immigration bill shall fail of en-
;ietiuent. immediate steps thereafter
should be- taken to repeal the law
winch in principle the President char
;tcterizes as unjust: and improper.
"! regard TO the second Obiecf nf
The President, the iiteracy test, the es-
Sehtiai purpose is to restrict and limit
and better regulate Immigration In
View of present conditions. as we'll as
those which will necessarily confront
us after the close of the European war,
come measure of foresight is impera-
fiVe II the menace of an overwhelming
immigration is to be averted. :
Classed as Practical and Workable.
lille a Hteracy test may not be the
highest ideal for its accomplishment.
yet that it is the most practical. ad-
v@ntageous and workable no one in or
out of Congress has undertaken to dis
prove. nor has any one taken the peo-
pie of our country into his confidence
by suggesting or proposing a better
method. -"
The nations engaged in war will
undoubtedly do everything within their
power to keep the strong and the
healthy men at home They Wifi do
everything in their power to encouraee
IN" emigration OF the weak or incapa-
c4tated Ineu, and those whose health is
partially undermined. These will come
~ theE can, to America. and in such
nm otrS as to oNerwhelm the toilers
aifeauy mere. 10 aepress their standard
OF iite and to add to the alreadp large
nv n ~ -