Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1916-02-24
immigration
BILE

Washington, Feb. 16-Last Monday
the house committee on immigration
reported favorably the Burnett mm1-
grafton bill, in which is included the
illiteracy test.
The bill is substantially the same
IS was passed by the last congress
and vetoed by President Wilson, but
n this instance the committee is more
explicit in recommendation regard
ng the admission Of those who seek
o evade persecution because Of reli-
,ious or political beliefs.
The committee reports that the fol-
owing be exempted from the opera
ion 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
United States to avoid religious per
secution in the country of their last
permanent residence, whether such
or by laws or governmental regula-
tions that discriminate against the
alien or the race to which he belongs
because of his religious faith.
Nothing in this act shall exclude
if otherwise admissible persons con-
victed, or/who adqnit the commission,
or who teach or advocate the commits
Fsion 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
haven for political and religious refu-
gees. Under the proposed bill. the
political revolutionist, or he who is
oppressed because of spiritual beliefs,
is admitted, regardless of the litter
acy test.
In their campaign for continued divi-
dends and cheap labor, steamship COM
panies and Industrial combines have
been aided by thousands of sincere
citizens who honestly believed a re-
striction bill would close America to
those seeking freedom. Because of
circumstances, these citizens found
themselves unwilling allies of trust
barons. who will now lose this power
| full support as the purposes Of restric-
, tionists is better understood.
7 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, Vir-
ginia, Tennessee, 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
I est and most illiterate will come to
this country. The best will stay at
home to rehabihtate 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 con-
ceive. Mr., Burnett made this COM
ment on conditions that are now
known to exist in East Youngstown,
Ohio:
rs it right that American laborers
and their families should be forced to
live amid such revolving environ
ments and such debasing conditions?
Yet that is the result Of pouring in
the millions Of illiterates from Eu-
rope to beat down the price of the
toll of the man who earns his bread
by the sweat of his face. The Hitter
acy test is restrictive as well as Sc
lective and in normal times will keep
out more than 100000 Of just such as
brought about those conditions at
4 Youngstown"
'"The committee has labored hard
and earnestly in its efforts to keep
out the most undesirable Of those com.
ing to our shores and at 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"