New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-03
IMMIGRATION BILL
PASSES BY so TO 7
Vote lnsureS RepaSSage,
if Necessary, Over
Presidents Veto.
rFrom Tie Tribune Bureau !

Washington, Jan. 2.-The struggle
over the immigration bill. the first Of
the measures to be taken up by the
Senate at this session of Congress,
came to an end to-day. BY a vote Of
50 TO the Senate passed the bill.
which provides literacy test for the
restriction of aliens. and the fight was
transferred temporarily 20 the confer
cnce committee. Here. it is expected.
&. will be carried on only for a short
time. 1t is now certain that the bill
will 90 TO the President.
The small vote against the measure
came as a surprise in view Of the pro-
tracted fight made against the literacy
test. Five Democrats Senators O'Gor-
man. MARITIME, Reed, Ransdell ana
Walsh-and two Republicans Brande-
gee and McCumber carried their op-
POSITION TO the end The majority IN
favor of the bill is sufficient to insure
is passage for second time IN case
the President returns 1t with veto
message. The bill passed the House
on February by a vote OF 24l TO 10
The fight Of the day came over the
amendment offered by Senator Lodge,
desicned to extend a helping hand to
the homeless Belgian farmers by eX-
empting them from the literacy test
requirements and the provisions OF the
alien contract labor law. In support
Of the amendment an eloquent plea
for the stricken people was made Dy
Senator Root.
"Thev no longer have country
ne said. 1T has been taken away from
them. They no longer have a govern
ment TO watch over them. EXiles, they
are wandering over the face Of the
Garth There never has been since the
foundation Of our government people
- ,vbom the hearts of Americans Lave
turned with as deep compassion or as
e+rono desire to give relief. Millions
of dollars have been contributed TO
,beir aid. but this is only temporary.
somethin~ permanent must be done for
them"
The allegation that to single ont the
Roloians would be construed as AN
afront to Germany was made by Sena-
tor Townsend and others, ard ooJec-
aor ,yas made to the amendment on
u,o crornd that it would violate the
e5'd' ',,ation clause Of many treaties.
The opponents Of the lteracy teSI aiaO
souqbt 20 broaden the amendment u
nskinq II applicable TO all clasSe9 q.
pcioians and finally TO al! DellgerSut
rstions All OF these attempts la'!eu
and The amendment was carried pE
vote Of 81 20 p. .t. ro.
IIouso leaders probably viii ask Ior
q conference on the Senate ameHu
ments on Monday. but admins t!atIol.
Leaders were confident the Sehate
amendments would be accepted ana tne
bin sent 20 the President Dy Ine nit
,Ic of next week. Among senate
eroo,dmcnts which House leaders nave
80 yould probably be accepted is one
40 cvclude rom the United states an
,.o,sons of the African race OF negro
fIoo6 Another strengthens me
nbraseology Of the prohibition o. poiy-
gamists. ..;.. poloior
The amendment eXemptng belgian
farmers from the literacy test was M
follows: u.... 80
"That the provisions OF thls act re-
lating 10 the litcracy test or lnuueJu
m assisted immigration shall not Apply
to Agricultural Immigrants from BEL
oium who come 90 the United States
durinq the course Of the present Euro
pcan war. or within one year after It's
termination. owing to circum stances or
conditions arising through the war, II
il is shown TO the satisfaction OF me
Commissioner General Of Immigration
that ,he said Belgian immigrants come
with the intention of engaging IN >agri-
culture in the United States and TO oe-
l,,,,, Ar,.vt.au cftfzeneN