Arizona republican., 1920-02-26
MEXICAN LABOR.
 PROBLEM SOLVED. FUR TIME BEING.
Secretary of Labor Wilson Rules in Favor of 1mpor- tation of Much Needed Mexican Labor Into the Southwest

zona Cotton Growers ASSoclatloii, who has been in Washington recently representing the Arizona Cotton Growers Association in conference with representatives of other Southern states in an effort to bring about temporary suspension of certain fea- lures of the alien immigration law for the purpose of allowing the inn portation from Mexico, for agr1cul- tural purposes, of much needed laooF, has just returned to Phoenix. This question of the use of Mexican labor is quite fundamental to the prosperity of the cotton industry in Arizona, Texas and California, as well as to the sugar beet industry of the southwest. Secretary of Labor Wilson has always shown a very keen interest in the development of the Egyptian long fibre cotton industry, and has recog- nized by previous rulings the need or all possible assistance. Three years ago, at the time Dwight E. Heard was chairman of the council of defense, he 1 took this mater up with Secretary Wilson at the suggestion of the council, and the secretary, with thor l ough appreciation of the serious agri- | cultural labor problem granted a l temporary suspension of the illiteracy | test and the per capita tax in rela- l
  agricultural purposes. It has recently been suggested that | this ruling, which expired on January l 1st, last. might not be extended, but | the secretary. realizing the seriousness l of the matter, granted a conference l to representatives of southwestern l states for the purpose of thoroughly | studying the situation before taking l action.
 Mir. Knox, who attended this con ference yeeterday, brought the good | news that Secretary Wilson on Febru> ary 14th issued the following order:
 Department of Labor,
 Office of the Secretary,
 Washington.
 February IA, 1920. To the Commissioner General of
 Immigration:
 Pending action by congress on proposed legislation in re admis- sion of laborers for agricultural pursuits to meet conditions such are claimed to exist in states on the northern and southern bor- iers and in the state of Florida, YOU hereby directed. until fur ther instructed, to put in force in states said border and in the state of Florida, the regulations existing January 1, 1920, relating to the admission of laborers in states the southern border and in Florida.
 (Signed) w.. B. WILSON,
 Secretary. In speaking of this important matter yesterday. MT. Knox said: An at tempt was made to obtain an amend nent to the present immigration act that would more explicitly give to the secretary the power of suspending the lliteracy test, head tax and contract abor clauses of the immigration law
 
 tural labor. Realizing the futility Of attempting to get anything through the present congress in time to guar antee to the farmers of the southwest | sufficient labor to harvest their crops, a committee consisting of Senators Colt of Rhode Island. Sterling of South Dakota. Ashurst of Arizona and Sheppard of Texas, and Congressmen Hayden of Arizona. Hudspeth and Bee of Texas, and Riley J. Wilson of Louisiana, and J. A. Happer, repre- senting the Fl Paso Chamber of Com merce, and w. H. Knox, representing the Arizona Cotton Growers Associa- lion, was appointed This committee waited on Secretary Wilson who after listening to the imperative need of this labor for the southwest. agreed 70 extend from January 1st until fur ther instructions, those portions of the immigration act relating to the head tax. illiteracy test and contract abor laws.
 Legislation looking to the perma- nent establishment of these privileges is now before both the House and senate committees of immigration The Senate committee will report conference bill that is being prepared oy the Department Of Labor favorably 10 the Senate at an early date. This pill will be placed upon the calendar and in it's regular turn win be saken up