New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-17
Bill Proposes
kAu-Ti11le Check
Onlmlnigration
Author Says New Measure
Would Put Into Effect Sc
lective System That Is
Advocated Persistently
Based Upon War Rule
Plan Calls for Examination
at Home Port of All Who
Seek to Enter America


s. WASHINGTON, July 1e.-Permanent
restriction of immigration under new
law which would be substituted for the
emergency act now in force is proposed
in a bill presented TO the House to-day
by Chairman Albert Johnson Of the
Immigration Committee. Early con-
sideration is to be given the measure
~ the committee and it is expected
favorable report will be ordered.
Is Under the new plan every immigrant
1 admitted TO the United States would
.abe passed upon at his home port by an
american representative. No one with
out the American wise would be brought
to the shores OF this country.
The bill makes provision for exami-
nation OF prospective immigrants at
American consulates abroad, author
ising assignment of experienced immi-
grant inspectors and physicians to act
IS vice-consuls. Mr.. Johnson explained
that his bill already had received care
full examination at the hands Of the
eountry's foremost students of the i'm
I migration problem including members
of the House Immigration Committee,
nearly all of whom have given their
approval to the plan.
Effective During War
"This BILL" Mr.. johnson said, "aims
To place the passport wise system on q
peace basis in so far as the immigration
service is concerned. 1t is intended to
prevent the departure from foreign
ports of immigrants who cannot or
should not be admitted to the United
States. Experience during the war has
demonstrated the effectiveness Of the
passport wise system, which already
has prevented thousands of aliens from
coming here. Its continuance during
peace times is desirable, especially
from the standpoint of the prospective
immigrant who, in my opinion, is en-
titled to know before he starts for the
United States whether OF not he will
be admitted.
III such a bill as this should be
enacted wide discretion would be vested
In the yice-consular inspectors who
would administer it. BY wise and
patriotic exercise OF such discretion the
United States would be making effective
system of selective immigration such
= IS has been advocated for many years
by the most advanced student. Of our
immigration problem. Our vice-consu-
lar inspectors would have authority to
refuse yises to persons who could not
meet the requirements of the immigra-
ton laws, and thus would effectuate
selection which would admit only the
most desirable elements out Of the
millions now struggling to reach our
shores. Such classes the United States
always will welcome. 'S
FIX Approved by Cumming
while the proposed act calls for CO.
operation or assistance from foreign
governments" Mr.. Johnson said, "I am
sure that all governments will be glad
Of its enactment and will assist wher-
ever possible in its administration be-
cause of its humanitarian object-that
of deciding the question of admission
for rejection of an immigrant before
he set sails for America We
shall operate the machinery of the new
law within our own consulates, but we
: shall welcome the sympathetic cooper
alton of the governments from which
our immigrants are drawn"
Mr. Johnson called attention to
statement approving the selective i'm
migration bill by Surgeon General
Hugh Cumming of the United States
Public Health Service, who said:
nave been more or less directly
cohnected with the medical side Of
inspection of would-be immigrants for
sabout twenty-five years in This coun
try, in Asia and in various parts Of
europe. and have for a long time
4 wrought that such step as is proposed
IN this bill is the proper method of
safeguarding the country and, at the
same time, protecting the rights OF the
would-be immigrant. l have seen MANY
very pathetic cases in which the heads
~ families have sold all of their be-
long1ngs and have travelled all the way
70 this country only to be turned back
ut our gates.'