Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-07
DO Not Lower tho Bnrs

e OR more than twenty years the gov
L crnment has worked with Indifferent
success toward solution OF the immigra-
tion problem. Measure after measure has
been passed to that end by Congress. Ed
ucational tests have been proposed and
invariably vetoed by one President after
another. Other tests which would bar the
undesirable have been considered, but none
that seemed to promise success has been
found without serious fault.
Meanwhile, the stream of immigrants
poured into the country, more than n mil
lion being admitted in single year just
before 1914. Realizing that once the war
was over the tide would set in again, Con-
grcss struggled once more with the Ques-
ton, finally hitting upon the quota sys-
tenn OF restricting the immigration move
ment.
This system, though imperfect and pro-
ductive of great hardship upon many mis-
guided men, women and children, who ar
rive at American ports too late. is the best
that can be applied at the prcsgnt time
Under it the doors arc closed except to a
given quota for each nation and the United
States is spared the stampede of mmi-
grants, the volume of which, if unchecked
would all but overwhelm us
AS already pointed out, this plan is not
ideal. perhaps, but it is workable and Of
fcctive, and it would be a mistake to modi-
fy 1t In any essential particular. while ex-
jsting conditions obtain. This view is pre-
.ented in the face of President Hardings
intimation from the White House that he
is considering Recommendations TO Congress
which will make the law more equitable i'm
its application.
Reports received by the executive. it
seems, indicate that the quota restrictions
work against Southern Europe only The
nations there affected have filed their quo
tas, with thousands of other immigrants
waiting impatiently for an opportunity to
cross to America. The nations of Northern
Europe. on the other hand, have all fallen
below their quotas. the net result being that
the immigration movement as n whole is
considerably below the maximum allowed
by law.
This is offered as serious objection to
the system now in effect. Also, it seems,
industrial Interests generally are LAYING
pressure upon the administration for some
lowering of the bars which will admit more
common laborers from Europe Accord
ing to White House advices there is n
scarcity OF common labor in this country
bordering on famine. or skilled labor
there is nm abundance. It appears, but this
Is far from true of the unskilled variety
these interests are pressing the President
to take the industrial situation into con
sideration in his study Of the immigration
question with the view OF so readjusting
the restrictions now imposed that the maxi
mum number of immigrants now allowed
may be admitted even II the northern coun-
tries OF Europe hold back
On its face this would seem to be rea-
sonable view to take and yet the complica-
tions which would be involved are so Sc
rious that 1t would be an almost limos
sible thing to apply any other plan than
that now In effect, unless there is a general
opening OF the door. Unless Congress is
eager to stage another effort to solve an
almost impossible problem. that body would
do well to stand for a few years, at any
rate upon It's present immigration policy,
even If it is not 100 per cent success.