Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-07
The Hlskin Letter . ' : @s2z
PROBLEM

railroad labor board was slashing the
paw of railway employees there were
MANY expressions of surprise and not
a few of criticism. Employers in 9TH
err lines who subscribed to the idea
that labor must be debated felt that
the controlling factors in the steel in
dustry were upsetting the applicant.
"How can we get wages back to
normal" the yasked, ''if the steel peo-
pie grant increases that are not even
demanded of them?"
The truth of the situation was that
the steel interests were bidding for
labor which they had to have. Amer
can born workers will not take those
Jobs at wage rates which they can com
mand elsewhere, the foreigners al
ready here move steadily from the
steel mills to other industries, and the
reduced labo rsupply from Europe will
not meet the demand.
Situation Actually Acute
Only a few days ago it was reported
from Pittsburgh that another increase
Of 10 per cent would be given common
labor. So acute was the situation re-
sulting from the shortage of this class
of workers it was stated that mills
were operating at only IS per cent ca
pacity when they would be working
at 90 per cent if sufficient labor could
be obtained.
In view of all this it is apparent
that congress will be pressed with de-
mands to ease up on immigration re-
strictions.
On the other hand, it has been made
equally clear that all such proposals
will be opposed vigorously. Labor
leaders are girding themselves for the
fight and r~allying their forces for an
onslaught on congress. such as gives
promise Of a lively winter.
President Gompers, of the American
Federation of Labor; in what he
termed "A Bugle Call to Duty has
served notice of the militant intentions
of the interests he represents. He
undertook to speak for American la
Dor when he said that if congress gives
wav to .'the demands of powerful en-
| blowing interests in the matter of new
immigration legislation the tide of
aliens will be beyond estimate and
| American labor will be driven back be-
| fore an avalanche of newcomers whose
standards are too low for American
| workers"
It is admitted that the 3 per cent
| law was essentially a measure TO check
| this tide of aliens" arbitrarily pend
ing the development of a permanent
immigration policy under which only
the most desirable of the foreigners
| applying for admission to this country
| viii be allowed to enter Secretary OF
Labor Davis in discussing this psla&a
| of the subject has placed himself ON
| record as favoring some modification
of existing laws so as to permit OF tniS
| governments passing on the etiglbllUy
of prospective immigrants before they
leave their homes overseas.
, Instead of the passport given by
foreign governments, says Secretary
| Davis. we should set a standard, and
those qualified should be determined
on the other side. giving u certificate
Of qualification to those entitled to
admission
The labor secretary has prepared a
bill e~mbodying his views which con
gress will be asked to consider when
It reconvenes. Under this bill every
| foreigner applying for permission to
| come to the United States would be re-
quired to submit to tests that will show
| that his blood is free of all faint. that
he has the physical strength to guar
antee that he can earn a living when
| he gets here. that his mentality Is up
to standard, and that his character is
such that he will make a desirable
| American citizen.
and if he doesn't measure up after
he gets here" concludes Mr.. Davis,
'.all vii lagre with me that be should
be sent back TO the country from which
he came.