The Connecticut labor news., 1921-05-06
INDUSTRIAL NEED SHOULD GOVERN ALL IMMIGRATION HERE Organized Labor Must Not Be Expected to Garry Burden,
 Says Rev. Sickle.
(By the REV. CHARLES STELZLE.) )

(Dy IIC NEN. AtARlkS OlELZLEJ
 What should be the attitude of Organ- ized labor toward the immigrant and the immigration problem In the past, it has done more to Amcricanize the foreigner than has any other organiza ton in this country.
 Its persistent appeal to fight for better homes, better clothes, better things to eat, better education for the children, and better working conditions in general have had stimulating effect upon the men who came from countries III winch standards of living were much below those found in America.
 But organized labor must not be eN- peCted to carry the heaviest part Ot the burden of lifting the level of living Ot millions of people who are unfamiliar with life and its possibilities Tn th1S country Nor should organized labor be called upon to suffer because of the pos sib1e lowering of its standards.
 The present Congress will undoubtedly consider many bills regarding the inn migration problem. Whatever. e SC may be the contents of the bills which will be passed, they should at least contain the following elements:
 First-there must be definite regulation of immigration. We have too long been permitting the whole matter to take its own course, indifferent to the dangers and unaware of the real possibilities for there are both. There must there fore be better regulation.
 Second-there must be a scientific basis for determining the qualifications and general fitness of intending immi- grants We now exclude the diseased, the illiterate, the immoral, and the criminal. This isn't enough. The indus trial conditions in this country as well as abroad, determining the need for certain kinds of immigrants should also be con- sdered It may be desirable, under cer- tain conditions, to stop all immigration.
 Third-there should be a selectlve process, sitting the undesirables from those who are easily assi1nilated.
 Fourth-there should be a better plan for distributing immigrants when they arrive. We cannot compel them to go to any particular part Ot the United States. but, as vast numbers come from the country districts, they should be en- cOuraged in every legitimate way to settle on the land in this country, instead Ot being crowded into close, stuffy tene- ments in our cities.
 Fifth-a universal policy should be adopted which will open to citizenship III this country, without discrimination, all those who duly and truly qualify, pro vided, of course, that they may be easily and naturally assimilated or absorbed. The principle accepted by the Amer ican Federation of Labor, never to dis criminate against fellow-worker on account of creed, color, or nationality should be incorporated in our immigra- ton laws If we do oppose certain groups it should be for reasons other than these.
 Sixth-our immigration policy should be patriotic, that is, American. Any group, or any individual, advocating class hatred should not be admitted. Neither are hyphenated Americans wanted-11or "outposts" for other countries.
 These principles will unquestionably give us a fairly good basis upon which to establish our immigration policies, and they should benefit all classes ot people in this country.