Denver labor bulletin., 1916-02-12
Contains nliteraCy Test
of Previous Measure
Victims Of Political and Religious
Persecution Are Not Barred;
WIN Prevent Country Being
Flooded by Cheap Labor
After European War

Last Monday the House committee on
immigration reported favorably the Bur-
nett immigration bill, in which is in
cluded 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 explicit
in recommendations regarding the ad-
mission of those who seek to eyade per-
secution because Of religious or political
beliefs.
The committee reports tina. the fol-
lowing be exempted from the operation
of the illiteracy test:
Classes to Be Exempted.
All aliens who shall prove to the sat
isfaction OF the proper immigration Of
fieer or OF the secretary of labor that
they are seeking admission to the United
States to avoid religious persecution in
the country of their last permanent
residence. whether such persecution be
evidenced by overt acts or by laws or
governmental regulations that discrim-
mate AGAINST the alien OF the race -
which he belongs because OF his religious
Iaith-
Nothing in this act shall exclude, il
otherwise admissible, persons convicted,
or who admit the commission. or who
teach or advocate the commission, of an
dfense purely political"
Haven of Political Refugees
These exemptions clearly Indicate that
there is no intention on the part of those
who favor American living standards to
have this country abandon its historic
mission of being a haven for political
and religious refugees. Under the pro-
posed 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 divi-
dends and cheap labor, steamship COM
panies and industrial combines have
been aided by thousands of sincere citi-
zens who honestly believed a restriction
bill would close America to those seek
ing freedom Because OF circumstances,
these citizens found themselves unwill-
ing allies OF trust barons. who will now
lose this powerful support as the pur-
poses OF restrictionists is better under
stood.
Restrict Low Standards.
In urging the House to adopt the bill.
Chairman Burnett of the committee.
called attention to the great labor and
farmers organizations of the country
the legislatures of Ohio, Virginia, Tenn
essee, Vermont and of many other states.
together with other organizations that
favor immigration restriction
He stated that many of the ablest
men of the country believe that after
the European war millions OF the poor
est and most illiterate will come to this
country. The best will stay at home to
rehabilitate their stricken countries. and
the worst will flock to our land and 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 exist in East Youngstown,
Ohio:
Illiteracy Test Is Needed.
rs it right that American iaborers and
their families should be forced to live
amid such revolving environments and
such debasing conditionss Yet that ia
the result OF pouring in the millions of
ilhterates from Europe to beat down
the price of the toll of the man who
earns his bread by the sweat of his face.
The illiteracy test is restrictive as well
as selective and in normal times will
keep out more more than 100000 of lust
such as brought about those conditions
at Youngstown.
The committee has labor,ed earnestly
IN ITS efforts to keep ont the most un-
desirable OF those coming to our shores
and at the same time encourage the i'm
of those who come to make
their homes with us, to promote the
moral and material prosperity of our
country and to become permanent citi-
Nehs OF our great government"