The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-31
. PRESS ON IMMIGRATION

PRESS ON IMMIGRATION
The question of immigration is no new
one. It has been discussed for almost tho
whole period Of living memory. The argu-
ments have upheld every policy from unre-
strfcted admission OF foreigners to almost
complete rejection of applicants for admis-
sion. Our present national policy is one of
definite and severe restriction. 1t has, per-
haps, wider popular appreciation than any
other policy we ever followed as a nation.
The question of immigration, however, is no
longer an academic one. Formerly our ma
ton was SO rapidly expanding that the hordes
of newcomers were absorbed without no
ticeable effect upon the character of our
citizenship or upon our industrial situation.
Now we find that outlandish bolshevistic
ideas are permeating our thought to an
alarming extent, and that our foreign ele-
ments are no longer promptly assimilated,
but remain as indissdlubIe Jumps which
threaten to break up our national solidarity.
Very wisely, therefore, Congress has called
a halt upon heterogeneous admission to our
shores, and has applied definite numerical
limit as well as certain requirements Of men,
tai, physical and economic fitness. In add-
ton to this limitation, there are being de-
vised certain systematic policies of deliber-
ate Amercanzation of our newcomers, in
order that our ways and not theirs may pre-
vail in this prosperous and happy land Of
ours. Our government and our way Of liv-
ing and working have proved successful,
and we are therefore reluctant to permit any
experimental foreign ideas to prevail, not
because we are provincial, but because at
last we are national.
Resolutions looking to any pronounced
change in present legislation are naturally
regarded with some concern by editors.
Many newspapers deprecate the former
policy Il industrial leaders who imported
Unfortunately and by the hundreds Of
thousands certain so-called cheap laborers
from the central and southern parts of Eu-
rope. It is believed that this temporary
relief of private labor situation
has resulted in permanent social
problem for this nation. Therefore,
many editors coincide with the view
of the Cincinnati Times-Star, which
says: eff Congress can work out a precti-
cal plan Of selection which will keep out thu
undesirables, well and good. Certainly an
effort should be made to change the existing
arrangement under which foreign govern
ments, through their control of the issuance
of passports, are able to do their own selec-
ton of those who are to leave their bounda-
ries for the United States. But the selec-
ton of immigrants by Americans, at the
best, is going to be difficult matter. There
will be so many chances of mistake and
failure that we cannot rely on it altogether.
Congress should hold to the restriction of
immigration as the permanent policy Of our
government, adding any selective laws that
may be deemed promising and helpful p
There is a pronounced inclination to the
view that our best type Of citizens come
from the north Of Europe, for the reason
|, that the central and southern parts Of Eu-
rope send US as rule not their best but
their worst. There are exceptions to this,
but not of sufficient magnitude to change
the result.
The Italian ambassador to the United
States suggests. the immigration of thrifty,
sober and industrious Italian farmers to SET
tie on vacant land in the west. Doubtless
there would be no objection to this class of
immigrant, provided they came with the in
tention of becoming American citizens. Our
experience with the south of Europe la
borer, however, has not been such as to
arouse enthusiasm for the proposal. The
New York Herald favors the ambassador S
proposal in the following terms: "Our stock
of farmers needs replenishment because we
are not producing native farmers to the
number we should. The drift from the farm
to the city goes on in spite of better rural
conditions, in spite of the automobile, the
telephone, in spite Of the many improve
ments that have been introduced in farm
life The Herald's reasoning is specious,
however, for our farm production is grow
ing far faster than our food requirements,
and our foreign markets are not yet respond
ing with a compromising demand. The
mere fact that we have unutilized farm
lands does not predicate need for more
farmers. When we cease to build up sur
plus of farm and food products, then we may
look about for more farmers.
AS to the alleged need for labor the Day
ton Daily News remarks: "Reviving bust
ness is apt to delude some of our people
into thinking that the bars should be let