New-York tribune., 1921-01-06
W allis Opposes
Bill Closing
u. S. to Aliens
Ellis Island Chief Tells
Senate Committee the
Country Needs Immi-
grants; Sees No Menace
Is Foe Of Literacy Test
Favors Wedding Out Process
Abroad and the Proper
ALLEGATION on Arrivals

From The TribuMs's Washington Bursav
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.--Before the
Senate Committee on Immigration to-
day Frederick A. Wallis, Commissioner
of immigration at New York, opposed
the Johnson bill, which would shut out
immigration for the period of year.
Mr.. Wallis declared he believed this
country needed immigration and that
immigration should continue He op-
posed prohibiting immigration for six
months and hel6 the problem of per-
manent legislation could be adjusted
without attempting to cut off immi-
grants. provided the present legislation
and system OF viseing passports Is
kept in force.
The Commissioner made it clear he
sees no menace, concerning which so
much has been heard. His statements
commanded close attention on the part
Of the committee and are expected to
have weight both with respect to the
committees course and that OF the
Senate
For Bigger Force Here
Testimony Of Mr.. Wallis showed he
believes in a more effective system of
examining and wedding out immigrants
before they sail from abroad; that he
considers the force at Ellis Island in
sufficient and would increase it so that
the business can be handled expedi-
tiously; that he favors a government
bureau OF Information in order to help
In distributing immigrants so they can
find employment; that he does not be-
lieve IN the literacy test, and that he
considers many sections of the country
now need immigration, while certain
cities should not have more immi-
grants.
The Committee will continue hear
ings Friday. At the close of Mr.. Wal
lis's testimony to-day, he departed for
the committee to visit Ellis Island.
When Mr.. Wallis appeared, Senator
Colt, chairman, said it was essential
to establish whether there is an emer-
gency and if there is an emergency
whether the proposed act meets the
need.
Mr.. Wallis in opening declared i'm
migration was an economic problem
and that "our nation is big enough to
take care of it,
"Do you think the remedy for the
present situation is the temporary sus-
pension of immigration 2" asked Sena-
tor Colt.
would come from it," answered Com
pension of immigration would provide
for exceptions, and these would be
heavy. enough to take up the entire
capacity of the steamships in trans
porting those who wish to come
Commissioner Wallis said there is
an enormous European population that
desires to come to America, but that
there is vast difference between a
desire on the part of people to come
and those who will be able to come.
He estimated immigration that could
come for permanent stay is below
100000 annually.
Has No Statistics
"The question in my mind" he pro-
ceeded, *is how we are going to pick
out the desirables from those who
wish to come. We have a right to
skim the cream of prospective immi-
grafton to our shores. We should do
that, first, on the other side, at the
embarkation points, and second, on
this side after they land.
Il regard the proposal to regulate
immigration by commission, such as
has been suggested by some of the
bills before your committee, as a mag
nihcent suggestion. 1t should be tor
titled by system of proper distribu-
tion of those permitted to enter, so
that they may be allocated in accord
ance with the labor and industrial
needs OF various parts of the country
and in accordance with the ability and
Willingness Of the immigrants to NIL
those needs"
Commissioner Wallis was unable to
furnish, as requested by Senator
Dillingham;. information about immi.
grants now coming in, number from