The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-08-25
NEW IMMIGRATION BILL
is MOST DRASTIC
eral Fulfllment of the So-called Gen
tlemen's Agreement" and Would
Keep Japanese Coolies Out
of the United States.
of the United States.

Washington, d. G., Aug 25.--A new
method of dealing with the incoming
alien problem is embodied in a bill being
prepared by the House, immigration com.
mittee. 1t is regarded as the most dras-
tic measure of the kind ever presented to
Congress.
Adoption of the bill would mean, its
trainers say, literal fulfllment of the
so-called "gentlemen's agreement" be-
tween the United States and Japan with
respect to immigration, and would keep
out Japanese coolies.
Under the Root Tokihara agreement,
Japan is obligated to send no coolies to
this country but it is charged the rec
ords disclose that they arrive by the
thousands, with passports as merchants,
students, and the like. Once here, it is
alleged, they remain, send for picture
brides" raise families, and their children
become citizens of the United States by
right of birth
Representative Albert johnson of Ho-
quiam, Wash, chairman of the House
immigration committee, in charge of the
preparation of bill, says the requirement
that aliens landing at American ports
must have passports with time limit
will break up the great inflow Of
foreigners. The bill provides that aliens
coming within exemption clauses of the
present law must obtain passports from
their own governments, vised by con-
suar agents of the United States, and
limited as to time.
But the bill does not stop there. The
aliens, who under present laws are eligi-
BILE to citizenship, would be permitted to
come to the United States without pass
ports, providing they state in writing
their belief that they intend to reside
here and become citizens. They must
agree to register at least once year,
failure to do so being a cause for depor-
tation. Failure to take out first papers
at the end of two years residence, also,
is cause for deportation.
After taking out papers, aliens must
remain here five years for final citizen
ship, with time allowance off for
knowledge of the elements of the Ameri-
can plan of government and proficiency
in the English language. If an alien
does not acquire citizenship in eight
years, he is sent home.
The committee hopes to provide plan
by which citizens of contiguous territory,
Canada and Mexico, may visit the United
States on cards issued annually.
Chairman johnson is trying to have
Congress send special committee com
prising eastern and middle West mem
bers to the Pacific coast 10 study the
Japanese question. "We want the East
to study it, he said
Immigrants now come to the United
States freely and are required to pass
mental and physical tests Chairman
johnson said, explaining his bill MANY
classes, such as lawyers, teachers, stu
dents, merchants and actors, are exempt
ed from these tests. These are the class
that it is proposed TO have come with
limited passports, That is to say, they
are to come as visitors, and not as pros
pective citizens. If one comes as
prospective citizen he must so state, and
agree in writing to place himself under
probation, reporting at stated intervals
That is all there is to it. Visitors are