The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-12-30
(By Associated Press)

(By Associated freSS)
NEW YORK, Dec. 80.-Heavy i'm
migration which has taxed the facil-
tiles of Ellis Island and delayed I'M
loading Of steamships at this port, is
only temporary and presages no great
influx of foreigners that will affect
the labor market of the United States,
In the opinion of immigration authori-
ties here. They estimated today that
the next years immigration through
New York will be only 100000. as
compared with pre-war figures OF
100000 to 100000 annually.
Few Of the thousands Of passengers
arriving here daily from abroad are
coming to this country unless they
have been here before, or unless they
have relatives here. Probably 80 per
cent of the recent arrivals are reserv-
lists, mostly Italian, who left the Unit
ed States to fight for their native land.
Many of them are American citizens,
about whose admission there Is no
question. The balance of the arrivals
is composed largely of fathers, moth
ers, wives and children Of men, Poles
and Czecho- Slovaks, who immigrated
prior to the war and are now well
established.
The arrivals include large repre-
sentation of native-born Americans
who have been unable to reach these
shores earlier, because Of war condi-
tons. Some Of them are from Ger
many. AS evidence Of this is the fact
that many arrivals have steamship
tickets sold to them abroad four of
five years ago.
OF Hiohest Character.
The character Of the present influx
Is considered by Representative Isaac
Siegel, a member Of the house immi-
grafton committee, as higher than
ever before. Many Of the arrivals
have thousands of dollars, represent
ing in some cases the conversion OF
property in their native land or the
residue Of prosperous mercantile or
manufacturing business damaged or
DESTROYED by war. The monetary re-
ouirement for admission is SIS and
before the war thousands OF immi-
grants had little or no more htan the
minimum.
with the exception of fathers and
mothers Of residents of the United
States, who are at least IS years old,
all coming to the country for the first
time. must pass a literary test by
reading clearly some forty words OF
English, usually an extract from the
constitution. The test became opera
tive on May 1, 1917, and Is now receiv-
ing its first real trial, as during the
war immigration was about one-tenth
Of normal. Less than two per cent
are being rejected for illiteracy.
One feature of its operation is re-
garded as working injustice, however
and q reduction to so years In the
minimum age for illiterate parents Is
contemplated by the house committee
according to Mr.. Siegel. He cites the
case of brothers who tmmtgrated to
Boston years ago. became citizens ano
were worth 100000 when they sen,
for their parents. The father was 81
years old and could not read. He was
deported. It Is believed that the liter
arcy test will reduce immigration by
40 percent upon which the estimate Of
immigration Of goo. 600 through Ne"
York next year is predicted.
Other Ports Idle.
Further indications that the presen'
thrush here IL but temporary are thu
difficulties for any passenger to OBJ
tain passports and the idleness O
other ports of entry such as Boston
HQu0o0lpul2 anu O&AAAAAoAS.
The wise OF an American consul
abroad is necessary on an Immigrant
passport. Each consul has q taboo
list for his district Of resi-
dents who are suspected Of having aid
ed the enemies Of the allies during thu
war. None such Is permitted to emf
crate to the United States. When the
consul receives an application for Z
passport he has to Investigate the
character of the applicant. Affidavit
are required from the United States
rs to the character and resources o.
the relatives whom the applicant pro
poses to join.
So rigorous is this passport contro
system and SO rushed are the steam
ship lines for accommodations fol
those fitted to come to this country
that 1t is believed in official circles
that any people besides citizens Q