Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-01-08

The immigration bill containing the re-
strictive literacy test for the admission of
aliens. which has been the obstacle in
immigration reform legislation for the great
er part Of two national administrations.
passed the Senate last Saturday by vote
Of so to 7. The overwhelming majority
was recorded despite the fact that Presi-
dent Wilson had indicated he would veto
the measure, as did former President Taft,
II it should come to him with the educa-
tional test included.
The vote in the Senate indicated that
the bill could be repassed by more than
the required two-thirds majority should
the President reject the measure. Sena-
tors who voted against the bill were
Brandegee. MARITIME. 0'Gorman Ransdell.
Reed. McCumber and Walsh
The bill passed the House February
last by a vote of PAL to 1876.
Although the Senate amended the House
bill in several particulars the literacy test
was unaltered save for an additional ex-
emption TO Belgian subjects. which was
adopted Saturday after prolonged debate
Among the Senate amendments which
House leaders have said would probably
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 po-
lyeamists.
Closing hours Of the debate Saturday
were devoted TO an amendment by Sena-
tor Lodge to exempt Belgian farmers from
the literacy test and from the provisions
which prohibit Americans from soliciting
or inducing immigration. Already several
American organizations are endeavoring
to induce Belgian refugees to settle in this
country.
The literacy test as finally approved by
the Senate is practically as ii passed the
House, all amendments to enlarge the ex-
emptions to admit persons fleeing from
political or racial as well as religious per-
secution having been rejected
The section follows:
THAT after four months from the ap-
proval Of this act. in addition to the aliens
who are by law now excluded from admis-
sion into the United States. the following
persons shall also be excluded from admis-
sion thereto. to wit
"All aliens over 16 years Of age. physi-
cally capable Of reading, who cannot read
the English language or some other Ian
euaee or dialect, including Hebrew or Yid-
dish:
Provided that any admissible alien or
any alien heretofore or hereafter legally
admitted. or any citizen Of the United
States may bring in or send for his father
or grandfather over SIS years Of age, his
mother. his grandmother, or his unmar-
ried or widowed daughter. II otherwise ad-
Missile, whether sach relatives can read
or not. and such relative shall be permitted
TO enter.
THAT for the purpose Of ascertaining
whether aliens can read the immigrant
inspectors shall be furnished with slips of
uniform size, prepared under the direction
OF the Secretary Of Labor. each containing
not less than 80 nor more than 40 words
in ordinary use, printed in plainly leeible
type in some one Of the various languages
and dialects Of immigrants. Each alien
may designate the particular language or
dialect in which he desires the examina-
ton to be made and shall be required to
read the words printed on the slip in such
Language or dialect.
That the following classes Of persons
shall be exempt from the operation of the
literacy test, to wit All aliens who shall |
prove to the satisfaction of the proper inn
migration officers or to the Secretary Of
Labor that they emierated from the coun-
try Of which they were last permanent
residents for the purpose Of escaping from
religious persecution all aliens who have