The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-02-17
LOCAL FOLK
VISIT SALEM
MEN SUPPORT ANTI-ASIATIC BILL
Anti-Asiatic Association Members Appeal
to legislature Tuesday Bill
Passes Lower House

A delegation of orchardists, members
| OF the Anti Asiatic Associ alton, who
IN 1919 initiated an Oregon movement
aimed at the ownership or control by
lease OF land by Japanese, were pres
ent at Salem Tuesday when bill, pro.
hlbltlng such ownership came up for
hearing. Through the organizations
secretary, r. b. Scott, daily postal
cards, carrying argument against jap
anese ownership and colonization, have
been mailed to members of the legis-
| lature.
Expressions Thursday at Salem bv
Leslie Butler against the proposed
antl-Japanese legislation, resulted Fri
day In numerous citizens writing to
members of the Legislature re-assert-
ing their support of such a measure
Commenting on Mr.. Buffers utter
ances, Mr.. Scott said:
Mr.. Buffers attitude on the Japan
ese question must not be taken as in
dicative of the general feeling in Hood
River valley. 1t is true that Hood
River folk have no fight to pick with
the present Japanese residents. but we
realize that the time has come when
we must eliminate further aggres.
sion on their part here. Mr.. Butler
has not viewed the problem as the
ordinary practical American citizen.
lie is retired business nan, who for
many years has devoted his time to
philanthropy and idealism. He speaks
in no wise for Hood River county but
rather expresses his own feelings.
The figures on population as presented
by him need some revision. We have
now more than 425 Japanese here.
The bill was adopted by the lower
house OF the Legislature Tuesday by
vote of 35 to "a. Both Egbert and
Roberts, joint representatives from
Hood River and Wasco counties. voted
against the measure. A telegram from
Senator McNary. asking that Oregon
keep hands off. in order that the Hard
ing administration may not be embar-
rassed in settling the Japanese prob
lem no doubt influenced many legis-
lators. whose stand against the Japan
ese is in nowlSe in doubt. to vote
against the measure Tuesday. 1t is
predicted that it will be defeated in
the senate. The loo | anti-Asiatc As
soclatlon, however continues to sup
port the measure, its members declar-
ing that such a bill Is needed for the
protection Of local land owners, and
that the action of the United States
Senate on the immigration bill is not
reessuring that the national admins
tration will be able TO carry out any
effective campaign with regard to the
japanese bill.
Members of the Anti-Asiatic Asso-
citation, present in Salem Tuesday, car
ried copies of a letter written by Leslie
Butler to Hon. John r. Raker, Cali
forina representative in congress. Last
week Mr.. Butler happened to be in
Salem, accompanying close friends.
who are strong opponents of the meas
ure aimed at the Japanese. In the
course of discussion of the matter,
Mr.. Butler, called on for a statement,
made few short remarks that ap-
parently were interpreted by support
ers of the Japanese legislation as in
opposition to Japanese legislation.
The elder Mr.. Butler was.not avail
able Tuesday, but his son, Truman
Butler, states that the Raker letter,
which vas written after due thought,
is fair statement of the sentiments
of his father. The Salem discussion,
on the part of Mr.. Butler, was, it is
said brief and inconclusive, as Mr..
Butler was more of spectator than a
participant.
The letter written to Representative
Raker by Mr.. Butler last August fol-
lows
August 10, 1920.
Hon. John E. Raker,
Alturas, California.
MY dear MIR. Raker: Referring to
our conversation when you were here
few days ago investigating the Jap
anese situation. there is a very general
feeling in Hood River valley that any
material increase in our japanese pop
ulati0n would be a menace to the
development of the valley. 1t is true
that we could use a limited number of
Japanese on some of our logged off
land that will probably not be devel-
oped by white people for many years.
The problem. however, of having Jap
anese settle in a restricted district is
rather a serious one and on the whole
it would perhaps be better for Us TO
take the position of not favoring any
material increase in the Japanese pop
ulation rather than to undertake apd
restrict the japanese TO sections not
now being developed by white people.
In other words, Hood River valley
is one Of the most delightful spots in
America for permanent homes for
Americans and we would not look with
favor on any tendency towards increas-
ing the holdings Of the japanese IN the
highly developed sections now occupied
by white people. The matter of Amer
lean born japanese children becoming
citizens is, of course, a serious phase
of this question. and I am inclined TO
think that legislation should be passed
denying citizenship to the children of
parents who cannot themselves become
citizens. The fact that the japanese
blood cannot be assimilated with ours
would seem to make legislation Of this
kind necessary. If 1 can answer any
questions or give you any further
do not hesitate to call
on me. Sincerely yours.
(Signedl Leslie Butler.