The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-04-03
numbers and some

were likewise admitted for human
itarian reasons. This probably
represents the most conspicuous
instance of direct and knowing
endeavor to overcome the yrestllc
tions imposed by the act, but it is
hoped that recent deportations of
Assyrian arrivals will insure
greater respect for the law during
the remainder of the fiscal year.
Similar, although somewhat less
aggravated experiences, have oc-
Cured in the case of other peoples
of the Near East, but it is believ-
ed there will be no further serious
trouble from such sources"
The law has proven "both work
able and effective, the officer
AYERS, and he gives his opinion
in the following paragraphs:
"While the administration of
the act of May 10, 1921, has
been attended with perplexing diff
ficulties, some of which could not
have been foreseen at the begin
ming, | think it can be said with
out qualification that the law has
proven to be both workable and
effective to somewhat surprising
degree. 1t went into effect, on
short notice, at a time when inn
migration from Europe was rapid
ly approaching prewar proportions
and in view of the many interests
and influences involved it has
seemingly accomplished its pur-
pose, and for the time being at
least is operating smoothly.
"Of course, the law has been
violated las must be inevitable in
the case of any legislation which
drastically interferes with the
plans and ambitions of human
beings, but it can be said advis-
edly that there have been no
wholesale violations and, in fact,
relatively few aliens have entered
the country who would have been
debarred solely because of the
quota law. There are plenty of
indications, however, that syste-
matte violations on a considerable
scale will be attempted during the
remainder of the present fiscal
year, or, in any event, during the
coming fiscal year, provided the
law is continued in force"
Certain amendments regarded
as4likely to increase the effective
ness of the present law as a bar
TO the threatened "flood" of alien
immigration are suggested by
the Commissioner General in the
following:
"If the act of May 10, 1921, is
to be amended it is desirable from
an administrative standpoint, that
the following provisions shall be
made:
Il. Limit the number who NAV
be admitted in any month to ten
per cent of the yearly quota in
stead of 20 per cent, as in the
present law.
80. If possible the number adj
mitted monthly or annually ought
to be regulated at ports of depart
ure rather than at ports of arli-
val OF, preferably, in countries of
origin, if this can be accomplish
ed through limiting the number
of vises issued each month.
SO. A sufficient penalty for
violations of the act to insure oh
servance on the part of transport
! tation lines.
q. Increasing materially the
period of time (now one year,
during which aliens who are ma
tives of countries within the OPP
GRAFTON of the act shall be re
qaired to live in foreign con-
tiguous territory, etc, before they
are exempt from the provisions of
the law.
IS. Giving legal authority,
through administrative discretion,
or otherwise, to the end that i'm
mediate families shall not be sep
larated because children and par
ents happen to be born in different
countries.
IS. Insuring that the always
very limited immigration of Eu-
ropean origin from New Zealand,
Australia and South Africa shall
not be prohibited.
you will note that | have sug-
| gested these proposed amend
ments as desirable, rather than in
dispensable, additions to the law
from an administrative standpoint.
They would be desirable, and i'm
some instances highly desirable,
but you have asked me verbally
if the law in its present form is
not reasonably satisfactory, and
shall answer by saying that
with the experience of the past
eight months as a guide, am
quite sure that some of the adj
ministrative difficulties of the past
can be avoided, or considerably
minimized in the future, even
though the law is extended with
out amendment as the House Joint
resolution provides"
HENRY NJ. BARRY.