The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-04-25
HOUSE TAKES ACTION
ON IMMIGRATION BILL
Amendment Rejected That Would
Have Opened Doors Of Uni
ted States to Political
Refugees.


|. Washington, April 2S.-After re-
ljecting an amendment seeking to
open the doors Of the United States
to foreign, political refugees, the
house today passed the immigration
restriction bill substantially in the
same form it went through last ses-
sion only 60 be given a. pocket vetos
The bill now goes to the senate
where Republican leaders said today
it would be passed without delay.
The measure Is designed to be'op-
erative over a period Of IA months
and would Iimit the entry of aliens
tess per cent Of the number Of ma
tionsls& of any country in the United
States at the time Of the 1910 GEN.
sua =. - :
Three anaeadments Slightly raodi-
flying hspsovisionls were adopted by
the house,, although it was said to-
night that they might be stricken out
by the senate. One would permit ad-
mission in'excess Of the limit Of all
aliens clearly proving they had been
subjected to religious persecution in
their native land and were seeking
refuge her solely to ayoid such hard
ships. -,
: The second would admit of Amer
lean citizens under 1S years Of age,
independent Of the percentage of
limitation and the third would give
preference to families and relatives
Of American citizen and former SER
vice men h~onorably discharged
from the army OF navy, regardless
Of whether they had been naturali-
zed in determining the question Of
admissibility under the restricted
total.
The principal fight was over an
amendment offered by Representa-
tive SABBATH, Illinois, ranking Demo
crat on the immigration committee,
to open the gates to political refu-
gees. This was lost after a long de-
bate which was closed by Represen-
tatlve Mondell, Republican leader,
who said that under it even thesfof-
mer German emperor could come
here. -.
This question was bitterly discuss
ed by Representatives Cochran, Dem
ocrat, New York; insisting that the
former emperor would be met by
strong hands ready to throw him in
prison. Mr.. Cochran declared that
the one time emperor was actually a
refugee from the United States.
Mr.. Mondell was vigorous in de-
nouncing the plan to open the gates
for political refugees. "Under the
amendment offered" he said, mot
only could William, the damned,
come here but Charles, late emper-
or Of Austria, and all the kings and
princes Hho have been spurned and
spewed out by the people Of Europe
could come. Not only that, but
every Russian opposed 10 the regime
Of Lenin and Trotzky would gain ad-
mission to our shores. They, Lenin
and Trotzky, and all the foul hordes
that have followed them, could come
in, and we could not close the doors
against them, even though they
were avowed anarchists" That is
what this amendment would do. Of
course we all care for America first
but the only way we car prove it is
not by words, but by. votes" =.
immediately after the house. had
ovtedt the amendment down, MIR. Sa-.
hath presented another designed to
make lawful the entry Of Donald ].
O'Callaghan' lord mayor of Cork and
permit him to remain as a political
refugee. The amendment was in the
form: of Il resolution introduced sew
eral days ago: by Mr.. SABBATH but
when; isswas read, a dozen members
in all parts; Of the chamber Jumped