New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-01-07
BY EDWARD 3. CLARK.

Observation-Disclosures was iHhue
at the opening of the present congress
that in addition TO the passage Of the
imperative appropriation measures,
consideration and probably passage
would meet the proposal to stem, if
not to dam, the present flood of for
eign immigration.
Ii TOOK the house of representatives
only II short time TO put through the
immigration bill. 1t places II one
year embargo on incoming immigrants,
thus giving time, if the measure shall
pass the senate and receive executive
approval, 10 plan for future legisla-
tion which shall keep immigration
within bounds.
When congress opened, II seemed
that the senate was equally keen with
the lower house 10 pass some meas
ure which temporarily, ut least, would
keep the immigrants out, No sooner,
however, had the house passed the
Johnson bill, practically placing n ban
upon immigration for a period of one
year, than opposition to the measure
developed in the senate.
No legislator In Washington appar-
entity knows just what Is going to hap
pen to this bill. Meantime, Ellis Is
land is overcrowded. and ever IL ey-
cry immigrant there Is worthy of nd
mission 1t would take a long time 10
discover the fact
Secretary Wilson's Proposal.
In his annual report, Secretary Of
Labor Wilson advocates the establish
ment of machinery overseas I'm coop
Grafton with foreign governments by
means of which aliens, before break
ing up their homes, may determine
whether they will he admitted 10 the
United States. Mr., Wilson advises
legislative consideration Of this pro
posal and of some others.
Senator Dillingham;, former chair
man of the committee on immigration,
has introduced a bill limiting foreign
immigration in any one year TO a
certain percentage OF the aliens of
specified nationalities now In the Unit
ed States. lie says that the immigra-
ton officials should inform the senate
how many n~ationalitles from each for
eign country are included In those now
seeking admission. Then he says nc
tual determination can be made wheth-
or or not the present rate Of immigra-
tiun is a menace TO American welfare.
There are certain senator's who have
said they viii oppose any embargo, for
no matter how short, on immigration.
There are others who are inclined 10
favor an embargo, but they desire TO
make amendments 10 the proposition
switch would allow certain classes OF
persons 10 come In.
The question Is an interesting one
from many standpoints because of the
various elements In American life
which either are seeking to make more
drastic immigration laws, or are seek
INK - make them less drastic. II Is
needless 10 say that each element Of
the population is ut work on the "sus-
capabilities Of the senate" and II may
be that the pressure pro and con
which Is being brought to bear, Is
responsible for the sudden condition OF
uncertainty which has affected the
senatorial mind on this question OF
dammlng the food from the other
parts OF the world.
Naval Holiday Plan Revived.
Senator William f.. Borah of Idaho,
through a joint resolution which he
has offered in the senate 10 bring
about n cut of 90 per cent in navy
building on the part Of the United
States, Great Britain and Japan, goes
back 10 an attempt which was made
as long z MS 1913 by Great Britain
to do something Of the same kind
through what was known as a naval
holiday"
or course the resolution may he
In the nature Of n feeler. Some
persons have said that II is intended
10 test the good faith of "Japan's de-
sire for n building holiday" Whatever
the intention Is. the question OF dlmin-
ishlng ornaments Is a vital one In
all countries today. and II Is a
question which is likely to rear It's In
t~errogation mark In the OF
the United States for some time 10
Back TO the Old Question.
In view Of what Is happening in the
the present administration be-
lieves that the program for ship build
ing which II has recommended should
be carried through. Seemingly ron
gress-and perhaps the worlds to
get back to the old controversy about
virtues Of big ornaments. No one
In congress believes apparently that
he United States can cut its program I
other nations shall follow suit
and so IT seems likely that this coun- :
try will continue TO build ships 20 long !
as other nations. or Great Britain and !
at any rate, continue their I
activities.
Great Britain in 1913. only one year
the great war broke out and
lrOught about a situation which was
,aved only by the British navy, sug- 4
rested through Winston Churchill n !
holiday. Representative Hens r