The New York herald., 1921-01-05
SENATE HEARINGS
BLOCK DRASTIC
ALIEN EMBARGO
Modification of House Bill
.in Committee Seems
Assured.
FOUR PROPOSALS MADE
Appeal Heard for Entry OF
Seasonal LabOrers I'm
der Permits.
ACTION MAY BE DEFERRED
New York Herald's Cable Des-
patches Figure in Evi-
dence Presented.
ACTION MAY BE DEFERRED
special Despatch 80 TIIx New YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau. I %
Washington, ID. C., Jan. Z.


Washington, u. C., jan. T.
Drastic emergency. legislation put
ting virtual embargo for a year on
foreign immigration, approved by the
House and now the basis of hearings
before the Senate immigration Com
mittee, in which THE New YORK HER
AIDS cable dispatches are playing a
part, probably will not be reported to
the Senate without amendment.
In contrast with the confidence OF
Senators two weeks ago that the
House bill would be approved by a
large majority many suggestions are
now heard for notifications of the
bill. Among the proposals made are
these:
l. The period of restriction should
be shortened.
2. Certain classes of foreigners now
excluded. particularly laborers work.
ing for short seasons In agricultural
sections during rush periods. should
\ be allowed to come in within the dis
cretion of the Secretary of Labor.
3. The Senate can initiate perma-
nent immigration legislation as intel
ligently as it can approve emergency
legislation during the short session.
4. Since the special session is to be
called soon after March, it would be
advisable TO defer action on all inn
migration legislation until that time.
No Hasty Legislation.
1t was apparent to-day that the I'm
migration Committee is proceeding with
extra care. Senator Colt OR. IL. chair
man of the committee. has already ex-
pressed the belief thai the House passed
the bill without sufficient evidence as to
existence OF an emergency demanding
hasty action. Prior to his Senatorial
=. career he passed many years on the
bench. and more than once has said that
evidence should be adduced. and both
side of the question carefully consid-
cred before decision of Importance was
made. The whole course of the hearings
thus far has disclosed a desire to act on
that principle. Not only will the Senate
hear those for and against the legisla-
ton, but also Government officials from
the Immigration Bureau are 10 give ad-
vice TO the committee, based on official
Information as to the character of inn
migration SEEKING admission.
Cable dispatches TO The NEW YORK
HERALD from its European correspon-
dents, reporting that predictions OF a
flood of 100000 undesirables was
headed from Europe to America" were
greatly exaggerated and not justified by
the facts. again figured in to-day's hear
ing.
j. l.. Bernstein, president of the He
brew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid So
ciety of New York, confirmed from per-
sonal experiences In Poland and other
European countries last summer many
OF the statements contained in THE
NEW YORK HERALD desoatches and told
the committee they were approximately
In accordance with his own view of the
situation.
Louis Marshall of New York, repre-
senting the American Jewish Council
and other organizations opposed to i'm
migration restriction. likewise confirmed
the dispatches which have been made
part of the Senate hearings. He stressed
the fact that transportation conditions
made IL impossible for any such number
10 come as has been represented.
There is n safety valve in the limita-
tion of transportation facilities" he
said. "Also lack of funds abroad is
bound to hold immigration back. Fur
thermore, economic requirements OF
Europe are dlscouraging foreign imml-
grafton, as the war created a need for
man power there"
Appeal of Seasonal Haryesters.
Representatives OF sugar beet growers
in Colorado. of cotton growers from large
cities in Texas and OF other interests
employing foreign labor during the rush
season periods Of harvest appealed
strongly for amendments to the bill
which will give to the Secretary Of
Labor the same discretion he now has
TO admit foreigners helping 20 gather
American crops for a few months in the
year.
Senator Phipps (Colo.) supplemented
statements OF other witnesses on that
subject by describing the use made Of
Mexican labor In sugar beet fields In
Colorado Wyoming. Nebraska and Mon
tana He said Il was essential TO these
sections employing foreign labor that
they be able TO obtain Il at "the peak
OF the load" He assured the committee
that the local supply Of labor was made
uuate and told OF seeing enormous
crops destroyed because Of lack OF labor
for harvesting.
Commissioner OF Immigration Wallis
IS to apepar as a witness tomorrow.