Evening star., 1922-07-04
DEFENDS S. RIGHT
TO CURB ALIENS
We Can Protect Our Own
Home, RisIey Tells Thea
4 ter Audience.

Immigration laws Of the United
States. limiting the influx of foreign
born persons to this country. are justi-
fed when it is considered that it is
the duty of tbe government to protect
American ideals and safeguard its citi-
Zens.
This was the declaration today of
Theodore g. Risley. solicitor general,
Department of Labor, in delivering an
Independence day address at citizen
ship exercises. under auspices of the
District Federation of Women's Clubs
and the U. S. S. Jacob Jones Post,
No. 2, American Legion, in Keith's
Theater.
Protecting Our Home.
The United States government has
the same right to close the gates of
Ellis Island to undesirable aliens as
the head of family has to protect his
home. Mr.. Risley stated. 1t is essential
that the small quota of immigrants ad-
.mitted under the strict laws admins
tered by the immigration authorities be
welcomed whole heartedly by the
American public, he said.
Immigrants who pass the tests at
Ellis Island are worthy of the friend
ship and advice of their American
neighbors.' the speaker asserted. "It
citizen who loves his country and who
cherishes the principles for which
George Washington fought to see 10 ii
that the foreign born residents are as
sisted in their struggle to understand
the meaning of good citizenship. By so
doing We will be safeguarding our
economic Institutions and insuring the
spread of patriotism
Quota Law Necessity.
The per cent quota law recently
enacted was necessity brought
about by the world war and its after
math, the solicitor general pointed
out. Officials foresaw general
exodus from War-torn countries Of
beggars, cripples and dependents. and
also Of criminals and moral wrecks.
he explained, and it was to thwart
plans Of such undesirables to come to
America that the immigration legis-
lation was proposed.
The following Confederate veterans.
accompanied by Mrs. E n. Emmar'
and Mrs. W. E. Hutton. president of
the District of Columbia division.
United Daughters of the Confederacy.
We're seated in boxes: Gen. Louck
Pierce. Col. J. NJ. Follin. Frank D
Denton, A. l.. McAllister, Jauk Locker,
Joseph B. Bailey, j. A. Kephart and
\. ID. Hawkins.
Essay Medal Awarded.
The feature of the ceremonies was
the presentation to James 0. Bouton.
Western High School student of the
medal awarded by the L. S. s. Jacob
Jones Post. No. ?. to the winner OF
its citizenship essay contest. Mr..
Boutons composition was regarded
the best out of q large group of essays
submitted by local school children
and others.
The medal was presented by Capt.
Watson Is. Miller. district commander
of the American Legion. The eXer-
"ises were open d with the singing of
America" by the audience.
Mrs. Amy F. Hammond, chaplain of
the Jacob Jones Post. pronounced the
invocation. following which. Miss
Lois NJ. Beach. commander of that
post. read the preamble to the Amer
lean Legion constitution. and gave
the salute to the flag. A poem.
George Washington written by
Sam Cohen. a native of Poland. was
read by Miss Margaret McMichael
Music for the occasion was furnish
ed by the kasper trio. composed Of
Margaret Minnowich. Rafael Bucca
and Joseph Kaspcr, and a band. The
exercises were concluded with the
singing of the national anthem by
Mrs. Gertrude Lyons. the audience
joining in. Introdrctions were made
by Mrs John L. Steele. vice chair
man of the citizenship committee of
the District Federation of Womens
Clubs.