Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-01-03
Restrictive Literacy Test
VIII Go Up to Presi-
dent Wilson.
WENT THROUGH BY
A so TO 7 BALLOT
Amendment Accepted to
Exempt Belgian Farm
ers from "Rider.
XXIAsHINGToN, Jan. 2.--The inn

.WAsHlNGroN; WAs' Nm Jan, S,.,,l,I,e s-nIne I'm ,ha
restrictive literacy test for admission|
of aliens, which has been the OBJ
stace in immigration reform legisla-
ton for the greater part Of two ma
tional administrations. passed the sen-|
ate late today by vote of so to 7.
The overwhelming majority was|
recorded despite President Wilson's|
indication he would veto the measure.
as did former President Taft, If I'll
should come to him with the educa-
tional test included.
The vote In the senate indicated theI
bill could be repassed by more than|
the required tWo-thirds majority, |
should the president reject the meas
ure. Senators who voted against theI
bin were: Brandegee, McCumber.|
MARITIME, O'Gorman. Ransdell, Reed
and Walsh. The bill passed the housed
February last by vote of 2i1 toI
1875.
Exempt Belgians.
Although the senate amended the|
house bill in several particulars. theI
llteracy test was unaltered save for AM
additional exemption to Belgian sub
! jects, which was adopted today aftert
prolonged deliberation. House lead !
ers probably will ask for a conferencel
on senate amendments Monday, bud
administration leaders were confident
senate amendments would be accepted
and the bin sent to the president by1
the middle OF next week
Among senate amendments which
house leaders have said probably
would be accepted Is one to exclude
from the United States all persons of
the African race or of negro blood |
Another strengthens the phraseology
of the prohibition Of polygamsts.
Closing hours of the debate today
were devoted to an amendment by
Senator Lodge to exempt BelglanI
farmers from the literacy test ant.
from the provisions which prohibit
Americans from soliciting or inducing
immigration. Already several Amer
lean organizations are ondeavoring Ia
induce Belgian refugees to settle In
this country. The amendment as
finally adopted by vote OF "a TO %
follows:
Must BE Farmers.
THAT the provisions OF this act res
lating to the illiteracy test or induced
or assisted immigration shall not ap-
Belgium who como to the UnitedN
States during the course OF the pres
ent European war or within one yearX
after It's termination. owing to cir
cumstances or conditions arising
through the war, II 1t is shown to tho
satisfaction of the commissioner gen
eral OF immigration that the said Bel
CLAN immigrants come with the in
tention OF engaging in agriculture In
the United States and to become
American citizens"
Many amendments were offered to
include all subjects of belligerent
countries whose homes had been in
yaded Senator Poindexter declared
other nations would protest under the
favored nations clauses of their treat
les with the United States.
senator Root, who made an edo1
SGent plea for the Lodge amendment.
declared II would not Violate any
treaty obligations He pictured the
Belgians as people without a coun-
try and without a protecting govern
ment who needed asylum. Many SEN
ators from agricultural states pro-
tested against the limitation Of these
exemptions TO farmers.
But Few Changes.
The literecy test as finally approved
by the senate Is practically as il passed
the house, all amendments to enlarge
the exemptions to admit persons flee
ing from political or racial as well a
religious persecution having been re-
jected.
Must BE Able TO Read.
The llteracy test would require aid
aliens over 16 years old physically
capable OF reading to be able to read
the English language or some other
language or dialect, including Hebrew
or Iiddish." The test would not ap-
ply to the father or grandfather oven
90 years Of age. the wife. mother.
grandmother or unmarried or Wild
owed daughter OF an alien previously
admitted. who desired 20 bring In
these relatives The act would also
exempt aliens emigratlng from an
other country because OF religious per
secution.
other features of the bill which
change existing law are designed prl-
marily to Increase safeguards Of
health and morals and To protect la
Dor of the country. The head tax on
Immigrants Is Increased from 81 to 81.
Physical Demands.
To the general exclusion classes ara
added the following: Migrants: per-
sons affected with tuberculosis In ans
form or with any dlsa bility which rem
ders them Incapable of earning
livelihood; persons who teach OF adj
Continued On Page Three)