Evening star., 1921-06-28
Editorial Digest
Leaks in the Alien Law.

AAAAVAA
The 3 per cent immigration
law. never enthusiastically approved
oy tho. newspapers, 10 subjected to .
new storm Of criticism based on the
report that more than 5000 immi-'
grants in excess Of the quota were
brought in during the hrs month In
which the measure has been function:
ing: II Is pretty generally agreed
tnat the present machinery 10 IN
sumcient to provide "controf' upon
Some writers suggest that solution
may be found in placing immigration
omcials In the foreign ports a9d regu-
lating the supply there.
AS q temporary measure the excess
number will probably be checked
II the resolution now pending in Con-
gress is pat into effect
The fault in cases where, owing to
unforeseen ship delays. one group Of
arrivals gets precedence over another.
Is not that "of the immigrants and
only in a minor degree Of the steam
snip companies: the trouble lies Ia
the lack Of efficient machinery.
There should have been enough fore
TO guard against the present condi-
tion. hich has already brought forth
a protest from the italian govern
ment." but the present confusion
may be forgiven IL action is taken i'm
mediately 1nedi ,s to handle the situation
The incident of the Italian protest.
the Philadelphia Bulletin tindepend-
ent republican, remarks. brings the
question of immigration into = the
diplomatic neld, for: The general
right of the United States govern.
Dillingham; law involves contradic-
ton Of the particularly explicit Ian
guage of the Italian treaty OF 1871.
many treaties negotiated. which may
disturb the general comfy between
the two nations and make trouble"
The Fundamental error" In the
plan, according to the Boston Herald
independent republican,. "is in try
this side Of the Atlantic. The proper
place to do 1t is in the sailing port
In Europe. If American immigration
officials were stationed there with au-
thority to grant immigration permits
up to the prescribed number the pro,
work smoothly enough" This method
tanooga News (democratic). to put
ting the whole responsibility on the
shipping operators" Other tests
besides the number allotted to each
Island now, are required and it would
be more logical" to apply them on
the other side. the News thinks. thus
removing congestion in our immi-
grant stations here.
Other complications here in regard
to distribution must be faced. the
Philadelphia Public Ledger Gnde-
pendent) points out. The question
arises: ION what basis and by whom
is the apportionment Of the number
Of immigrants to each Of the principal
Atlantic ports of entry? Only nifty
stance; by what rule was that limit
fixed? At time when industrial and
other conditions at New York are re-
quiring a diversion Of shipping from
that port to Philadelphia. how can 1t
be expected that such a quota can
value? It does begin to look as
though the whole matter had been
bungled, and it is not at all unlikely
that Congress will have to come to
the relief with some modification OF
the law"
The New York World (democratic)
feels that in the light OF what has
happened the law 'is shown to be
impracticable, for there is no way,
of counting" these future citizens
"and loading them one by ,one on
boats at European ports. according
to nationakties. 50 that never a one
over the monthly quota OF Italians.
Poles. Greeks, Spaniards. French,
EngliAh Irish and 30 on shall ar
rive" This division according to
cshntries is further complicated by
unstable boundary lines. al the For
eign Language press has pointed out
with such emphasis.
The Salt Lake City Deseret News
independently looks at the question
from this angle: There are coun-
tries whose boundaries Europe itself
has not yet defined. Shall America
undertake to draw these boundary
lines in order to determine the ma
tionality of her incoming aliens? II
not. who is to do it. and when will
It be done. and in the meantime what
is to become Of the immigrants
whose nationality is unfixedr'
Representing those who believe
that the law has not. as yet. had a
fair trial are the Providence Journal
Independently and the Duluth Her
Complete respect for the provi-
sions Of the act is imperative IL a
fair test of its worth Is to be had
in accord with the intent Of Con-
gress and the national demand for
drastic restrictions upon immigra-
tion until the country can adjust
itself to meet current conditions"
The Herald believes that "the 3
per cent law is right" at least "as
a temporary arrangement" though
ii will do injustice in many indi-
vidual cases" and shut out many de-
sirable immigrants"