The American Jewish world. [volume] (Minneapolis ;) 1915-current, 1922-01-06
Defending immigration: Are the Jews
Armed?
By Max Rhoade Washington Correspondent

American jewish committee, ana
probably other Jewish representa-
tives, plan to appear before the House
immigration Committee to testify at
the Hearings on the proposed immi-
grafton legislation which began on
December 18th, and which will be re-
sumed when Congress reconvenes
after the Christmas recess.
Up to now the plans of the Jew
ish leaders responsible for protection
of this particular angle of our peo-
pies welfare has been entirely un-
disclosed. There were limitations
that the attacks made upon Jewish
immigration at the Hearings were
being carefully watched and consid-
cred, and that at the proper time
and under propitious circumstances,
these attacks as we'll as the general
question of the coming legislation
would be dealt with. There was a
noticeable feeling, however, on the
part of those connected with the work
in Washington, that the Jews should
not protrude themselves too much
into the situation.
Now that it is settled that Louis
Marshall and at least representatives
of the Has (Hebrew Immigrant and
Sheltering Aid Society are coming
before the immigration Committee,
the question arises, what are they
going to say and do in order to in
fluence Congress in favor of liberal
law? Further than articulating the
usual appeal based on sentimental
grounds for the "open door" to i'm
migration, and an indignant denial by
the Jewish leaders of the accusa-
tions of filthiness on the part of the
Jewish immigrant and his alleged in
lection with Bolshevism have any
preparations been made to wage an
adequate war to effect, if possible, in
the new legislation, the abandonment
of the present cruel per cent quota
law, and the substitution of an act
which will permit the entry of suff1-
cient number of our people from the
countries of oppression?
The question divides itself into
something like the following:
1. The character Of the expected
testimony, at the Hearing;
Q. Other means of influencing Con-
gress.
AS regards the Hearing: OF
course, the representatives Of Has
will answer the charges and criticism
levelled at this organization during
the Hearings, particularly with re-
spect to the ALLEGED dishonest appro-
priation. of 100000 francs by one of
it's directors abroad, but who will
be put on the stand on the Jewish
behalf to effectively dissipate the gen
eral atmosphere created by the test1-
mony Of Bruhm, in particular, that
the Jewish immigrant from Eastern
Europe is "Bolshevistically" inclined?
Is it to be left alone to Louis Mar
shall, or some other American Jew,
who can only speak from literature
or correspondence, or on the basis or
what others have told him? The de-
clarations of these leaders should be
reinforced, it seems, by the testimony
of trustworthy people, preferably
non-Jews, who have visited the areas,
in question and have become familiar
with the conditions of life amongst
these Jews. Personal testimony is to
he emphasized; quotations read by
Mr.. Marshall from articles and other
sources by various authorities deny
ing the "red" legend about the Slavic
lew can never be any way near as
effective as the personal statements
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