New-York tribune., 1920-12-10
House i'm Test
Votes Isl to 9
To Bar Aliens
Johnson Bill, Restricting
Flood From Europe for
Two Years, Seems Certain
of Passage Tomorrow
Special Rule Adopted
General Debate Limited to
Four Hours; Fess De-
mands Removal of Post

WASHINGTON, Dee. 9.--Supporters
of the Johnson bill to prohibit immi-
grafton for two years won every pre-
liminary skirmish in the House to-day
with such ease that ultimate passage
of the measure seemed to them to be
assured.
The only record vote during two
hours Of debate was carried by advo-
Gates of restricted immigration 151 to
9. This vote, taken on adoption of a
special rule to limit general debate to
four hours, was taken by the bills pro-
ponents as an indication of the atti-
tude of the House. Opponents of the
bill disputed this contention, however.
Two of the four hours allotted to
general debate had been consumed
when the House adjourned late in the
day. Another two hours Of general de-
bate will follow tomorrow, and then
speakers will be allowed only five min
utes each. Chairman Johnson of the
immigration Committee, who drafted
the bill, said that disposition of amend
ments probably would delay the final
vote until Saturday.
Leaders Monopolize Debate
Debate at to-day's session was d.
vided by agreement among Chairman
johnson and Representatives Raker,
Democrat, of California, who lead the
forces friendly to the bill, and Repre-
sentative Siegel, Republican, of New
York, and SABBATH, Democrat, of Hi
nois, leaders of the opposition.
Partisan lines disappeared, appar-
entity by coincidence, the leadership di-
vided itself equally between Democrats
and Republicans, one member of each
party leading the forces for and
against the bill.
Opening debate on the question,
representative Campbell, chairman Of
the Rules Committee, declared that un-
less the flood gates are closed the
standard of living will be lowered, un-
mploNment, already estimated at o.
100000 men, will run rampant and the
wage scales viii be destroyed"
SABBATH Condemns Special Rule
representative SABBATH took issue
with Mr. Campbell on the question Of
Unemployment, declaring that he did
not believe there was anything like
100000 men out Of work. He con-
demned the Rules Committee for re-
porting rule limiting general debate,
declaring it was q dangerous precedent
for the Republicans to set.
Representative Siegel charged the
bill was iammed through the Immigra-
ton Committee without fair conside ra-
ton. He declared he was opposed to
the bin and such unfair practices OF
legislation
A point Of order against considera-
ton of the bin was made by Repre-
sentative Griffin. Democrat, of New
\ ork, who contended that the Immigra-
zion Committee held no session after
the bill was introduced in the House
md that it had been referred to that
committee. The point was lost, Speak
ar Gillctt holding that the rule was
under consideration and the question
was not in order.
Representative Fess, Republican, of
Ohio, said "this Legislation would fail
% keep undesirables out OF this coun-
ry, unless Assistant Secretary of Labor
Post was removed from his office" He
"ead statement charging that for
,igncrs who had no understanding Of
American institutions committed the