The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1916-03-10
TO BAR ALIEN
UNDESIRAbLES
Provisions Of the immigration
Restriction Bill.
INCLUDES ILLITERACY TEST.
Victims of Political and Religious Per-
secution Will Be ExemPt-Bill, if Il
Becomes a Law, Will nure to the
Advantage of the American Worker.
immigrants Welcomed.


Becomes Law, Will Inure to the
Advantage of the American Worker.
immigrants Welcomed.
The house committee on immigra-
ton recently reported fayorably the
Burnett immigration bill, in which is
included the illiteracy test.
The bill is substantially the same as
was passed by the last congress and
vetoed by President Wilson, but in
this instance the committee is more ex-
plicit ia recommendations regarding
the admission of those who seek to
eyade persecution because Of religious
or political beliefs.
The committee reports that the fol-
lowing be exempted from the opera
tion Of the illiteracy test:
"All aliens who shall prove to the
satisfaction Of the proper immigration
officer or Of the secretary of labor that
they are seeking admission to the Unit
ed States to avoid religious persecu-
ton in the country of their last per-
manent residence. whether such per
secution be evidenced by overt acts or
by laws or governmental regulations
that discriminate against the alien or
the race 10 which he belongs because
Of his religious faith
'Nothing in this act shall exclude, IL
otherwise admissible, persons convict
ed or who admit the commission or
who teach or advocate the commission
Of an offense purely political
These exemptions clearly Indicate
that there is no intention on the part
of those who favor American living
standards to have this country aban-
don its historic mission Of being ha-
ven for political and religious refugees
Under the proposed bill the political
revolutionist or he who is oppressed
because Of spiritual beliefs is admitted
regardless of the illiteracy test
In their campaign for continued div
idends and cheap labor steamship com
panies ana industrial combines have
been aided by thousands Of sincere cit
izcns WHO honestly believed a rcstric-
tion bin would close America 10 those
seeking freedom Because of circum-
stances those citizens found themselves
unwilling allies Of trust barons who
viii now lose this powerful support as
the purposes Of rcstricdoniSts is better
understood.
Tn urging the house TO adopt the bin
Chairman Burnett Of the committee
called attention to the great labor and
farmers organizations Of the country,
the legislatures of Ohio, Virginia, Ten
nessee, Vermont and Of many other
states, together with other organiza-
tion>, thai favor immigration restric-
ton
He stated that many of the ablest
men of the country believe that after
the European war millions of the poor
est ana most iliterate win come to
this country. The best will stay at
home 10 rehabilitate their stricken
countries. and the worst will flock to
our land anl beat down the price OF
labor and erect the lowest standard Of
living which decent men can conceive.
Mr. Burnett made this comment on
conditions that are now known to ex-
ist in East Youngstown o..
rs it right that American laborers
and their families should be forced to
live amid such revolving environments
and such dehasiug conditions: Yet
that is the result Of pouring in the
millions of illiterates from Europe TO
beat down the price of the toll of the
man who earus his bread by the sweat
Of his face The illiteracy test is re-
strictiye as well rs selective and in
normal times will keep ont more than
100000 of just such as brought about
those conditions at Youngstown.
THE committee has labored earnest
ly in its efforts to keep out the most
undesirable of those coming to our
shores and Mt the same time encourage
the immigration of those who come to
make their homes with Us, to promote
the moral and material prosperity of
our country and to become permanent
citizens of our great government"