The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-02-06
intellectual standards of American

intellectual standards of American
life.
1t is now an undisputed fact that
in many industries the immigrants
who came here are working for wages
SO low that the American workers,
insisting on American standards, can
not compete with them. In fact, they
cannot support family on the wages
paid them.
The following may we'll be added az
an exhibit, bearing most obnoxiously
upon the real issues involved. On
February 2, 1914, Representative Aus
tin read the following letter in Con-
gress:
Edward Horvath, Labor Agency.
New York City, Oct. 4. 1913.
S. E. & H. l.. Sheperd Co.,
Rockport, Me.
Gentlemen: Foreign laborers are
now available in this city for less
wages than you can secure men for
in your state.
Are you in need of any? If so, we
can offer for immediate shipment any
number of them of any desired ma
tionality.
Trusting to hear from you, we are
Very truly yours,
M. Engel, Mgr.
Mr.. Samuel Gompers in answer to-
President Wilson's veto addressed
communication to the Hon. John Bur-
nett, Chairman Committee on Immi-
grafton, from which we take the fol-
lowing:
1T is sincerely regrettable that the
President found it necessary to exer-
else his great constitutional preroga-
tive by vetoing the immigration bill
which passed both the Senate and
House by such overwhelming votes.
more than two-thirds of each body. It
was hoped that with all the informa-
ton before the President, and with
the history of the legislation since
and including 1896, he would have
reached the conclusion to give the
bill his approval"
I'm 1867 the Senate and House
passed an immigration bill containing
the literacy test. 1t was vetoed by
President Cleveland. The House
passed the bill over the Presidents
veto. In the Senate it failed of pass
age over the veto by few votes.
In 1898, the Senate passed an i'm
migration bill containing the literacy
test, but the bill, it is generally con-
coded, was crowded out of considera-
ton of the House of Representatives.
by reason of the Spanish-American
war.
In 1902, the House passed an i'm
migration bill containing the literacy
test.
In 1906, the Senate passed an inn
migration bill in which the literacy
test was embodied. The House sub
stituted bill creating the Federal
immigration Commission. The Com
mission consisted of nine members.
eight of whom recommended the
adoption of the literacy test as the
most practical means for restricting,
limiting and better regulating immf-
grafton.
In 1913, the Senate and House,
passed an immigration bill containing
the test recommended by the Com
mission. The bill was vetoed by Pres.
ident Taft. That bill passed the Sen
ate over the Presidents veto, but
failed to pass the House over the,
Presidents veto by four votes.
In 1914-1915, the House and Sen
ate passed by more than a two
thirds vote the immigration bill now
before Congress, which contains the
literacy test. That is the bill which
President Wilson has vetoed"
II must again call attention to what
is generally apprehended, regarding
immigration after the European war.
The nations engaged in the conflict
will, undoubtedly, do everything with
in their power to keep the strong and
healthy men at home. They will do
everything in their power to encour-
age the emigration of the weak or
incapacitated men, and those whose
health is partially undermined. Many
will be glad to escape compulsory
military service, and will do ali they
can to get away from the burdens of
taxation which will result from the
war. And pray where will all these
men go? They will come if they can
to America.
The present is the time to make
provisions against what will surely
become menace unless the laws OF
our country shall restrict and limit
and better regulate immigration"