Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-02-06
WILL PREPARE MEASURE
Plan to Close Gates Early in
Spring-Expected Rush From
Abroad Did Not Occur.

" "sHiHSlohs chairman OF the House
immigration committee. 1t is prob
able that the new bill will set forth
a plan for admission of aliens on pro-
baton.
For more than two years Congress
has been working on immigration
legislation to safeguard citizens of
the United States and American
working conditions against a FORE
seen flood of undesrables from other
countries after the war. More than a
aozen bills have been considered in
committee relating to suspension of
immigration. Toward the end of the
Slxty-ffth Congress bill fathered by
representative Burnett of Alabama,
then chairman of the House immigra-
ton committee, was reported out
This proposed to suspend immigration
for four years, but it was never acted
upon.
When the Sixty-sixth Congress as
sembled on May 10, 1919, several bills
were promptly introduced providing
Tor suspension of immigration. Some
OF tne more noteworthy of these were
a Dill by Representative Lufkin of
massachusetts,, one by Representative
johnson of Washington one by
Representative Crisp. Mt. Of
Georgia, the latter prop, 0 shut
on immigration until 1896 other
Dills Tor the most part picked up the
6urnett bill with slight notifications
Made nm Investigation.
All this time the sentiment for ex-
ciuSion was in allegiance, because up
TO july the flood of immigration that
mad been prophesied had not material
ized. The House committee, under the
leadership of Representative johnson,
worked on immigration legislation for
resentative Johnson's ideas regarding
the need for certain restrictive fea-
lures developed and at various times
he introduced four bills.
"nen Congress convened for the
snort session in December. subcommit-
tees OF the House committee were sent
70 New York. Montreal Boston and
Philadelphia to inspect the immigration
situation and obtain information. which
moved the committee to make favor
able report on the bill which passed the
House on December 10. and is now
hung W In the Senate committee.
The House debated this measure on
December 3. 10. IL and 13. and passed
it by the very decisive vote. 295 to Al.
Hearing began in the Senate commit
tee on January 3. and continued until
January rs. The chance of its being
passed in the Senate is very remote
and the members of the House COM
becoming law at this session.
The Senate committee will materially
change the johnson bill. as it passed the
House. The Senate committee does not
feel convinced that there is such an
emergency as will require such drastic
legislation: They do believe that more
effective immigration legislation must
be put on the statute books.
Senator Dillingham; is preparing a
comprehensive amendment to the John
son bill, which, in effect, will be a COM
plete and constructive plan for Iimita-
ton of immigration. This will proba-
bly, be reported to the Senate before the
close of the present short session and
go on the calendar-it may even pass
the Senate
Senator Colt Of Rhode Island. is chair
man of the Senate commerce commit
tee and he is not a restrictionist The
majority Of the members are inclined
Senators King Of Utah, Hiram johnson
of California. and Pat Harrison Of Mis-
sissippi. They will endeavor to compile
some of the Dillingham; and Sterling
provisions with those Of the johnson
bill
Work In Not Lost.
The legislative jam in which the Sem
ate now finds itself precludes the like
lihood of any contentious matter such
as the immigration legislation. being
taken up by those in charge of the
program. But there is a chance OF get
ting test vote on the Johnson bill In
the Senate. Senator Thomas Of Color
ado. has proposed the Johnson bill as
preparation bill. This is supposed to be
merely for filibuster purposes. 1t may
serve, however, to get a record vote on
the johnson bill, because a majority Of
the committee are for restriction
measure.
But even If the immigration legis.
latfon fails in the present Congress.
the work Of the last two years. and
particularly of the last nine months.
will not be entirely lost. 1t is proba-
BILE that when Chairman johnson calls
the House committee together to
frame up the new immigration-on-
probation measure for the special ses-
sion. there will be only three changes
in the committee. The outgoing MEM
bers are Representatives Swope, Ken
lucky. and Welty and McCulloch. both
of Ohio. Some OF the good men who
Chairman johnson with the bulk OF
the work are Vaiie Of Colorado. Kletz-
ka Of Wisconsin. White OF Kansas,
Wilson OF Louisiana and Box OF Tex
as Representative Rainey Of Ala
bama is facing contest for his seat.
Noic5Ci VI AVG" 4oih
and Sabbath of Illinois are always in
THE minority in opposing restriction
on immigration. and the latter also
has a contest on for his seat.
The Johnson bill as 1t stands pro-
vides for exclusion of all immigrants
for a period Of twelve months, with
certain exceptionally government
officials. their families. attendants.
servants and employees: (2) travellers
or temporary sojourners for pleasure
or business for a period not exceed
ing six months-which may be ex-
tended in Individual cases by the Sec
rotary Of State: (3) bona fide students
who may enter solely for the purpose
OF study at educational institutions
particularly designated by them. and
upon graduation. completion or dis
continuance of studies they shall not
be entitled to remain in this country:
and 90 ministers Of any religious de-
nomination. Definite qualifications
and regulations are proposed for these
four classes OF exceptions.
The Johnson bill also provides GER
tain conditions under which citizens
of this country may apply for permits
sion to bring in certain relatives and
certain conditions under which alien
ideclarants may also make application
! to the Secretary Of Labor to bring in
| relatives. Wide discretionary latitude
| is given to the Secretary Of Labor in
| the matter of issuing permits for en-
try.