The Weston leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 189?-1946, 1915-01-08
.PASSuTERACYTEST
Senate Emphatic N Movement 10
Clarity immigration.
Departments Required 10 Notify
Congress When Isimigrafioa
Depresses Wages.

Washington. ID. C-The immlgra-
tion bill. containing the restrictive lit
eraey test for admission Of aliens
which has been the obstacle In immi-
grafton reform Legislation for the
greater part Of two national admins
trations. passed the senate Saturday
by q vote Of 80 TO z. The overwhelm-
ing majority was recorded despite the
fact that President Wilson had indica-
ted be would veto the measure, as did
President Taft, II Il should come TO
him with the educational test includ-
ed.
The vote In the senate indicated that
the bin 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 last by vote Of 241 to l26.
Although the senate amended the
house bin 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 win ask for
conference on senate amendments
but administration leaders were conf
dent senate amendments would be ae-
eepted 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 organiza-
tions are endeavoring to induce Bel
gian refugees 20 settle in this country.
The amendment, as finally adopted
by a vote Of "a 10 20, follows:
THAT the provisions Of this act
relating to the illiteracy test or In
duced or assisted immigration shall
not apply to agricultural immigrants
from Belgium who come TO the United
States during the course Of the present
European war, or within one year
after its termination, owing to cir
cumstances or conditions arising
through the war, IL 1t is shown to the
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 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 55, or for
wife, mother, grandmother or unmar-
ried or widowed daughter, though such
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 Conn
merce to report to congress whenever
expected immigration threatens to in
crease number of unemployed or re-
duce wage standard.
a