South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-06
CHIEF TO SPEAK
ON IMMIGRATION
In HIS MESSAGE
& a b met Considers Whole
Problem at White House
Conference Monday.
DAVIS OPPOSES INCREASE
Labor Secretary Would Add
RestrictiOns-Labor Short
age Considered.

WASHINGTON. Dec. s. (By A.
H)-The whole problem OF immi-
ration was discussed at length to-
day by Pres't Harding and his cab
met and It was indicated afterwards
that this would DO one OF the sub
jects with which the executive would
deal IN his forthcoming annual mes
sage to congress.
While Il was stated at the White
House that there had been no de-
clsion as to policy at the cabinet
meeting. some administration Off
GERS were under the impression that
Mr. Harding would propose a con-
tinuation OF the present restrictive
law with certain amendments spOn
sored by Sec'y Davis and designed to
raise the general standard OF emil
grants embarking for the United
States.
The labor secretary, it was said,
is opposed TO any increase Of the ex-
istiag three percent Limitation. at
least until the tide OF immigrations
reaches the quota allowed by law
Thus far the number OF immigrants
coming from those sections have
equaled only about so percent of the
authorized maximum on the other
hand, officials pointed out, the inflow
from southern Europe has reached
the permitted maximum each year
with many thousands Of others III
that section seeking TO come TO this
country.
Would Conduct Test Abroad
Amendments to the present law
which Mr. Davis is having prepared
would provide for an examination al
\debarkatiOn ports OF all emigrant
Shllens with particular reference to
character and to physical and mental
conditions. There also would be a
blood test. The examinations would
be conducted 10y public health and
immigration officials stationed
abroad and would entail some en-
largement OF the overseas forces OF
both those services.
The immigration problem as ex-
planned today presents many per
picking phases and any solution
might have its effect on general eco
nomic conditions over the country
IL was said that unless a shortage
or common labor could be relieved
through immigration. there would he
a tendency toward higher wages OF
this character OF help with tenden.
cies to other increases and also fol
farm hands 10 flock 90 industrial
centers. on the other hand. atten-
tion was called 20 the fact that a
letting down Of the immigration
bars might produce an over-abund
aHce OF labor with resultant unem-
ployment. a lowering Of purchasing
power and an economic depression
OF more or less general character.
There IS "a present shortage ol
common labor and a White House
spokesman disclosed that because OF
this there had come a pressure from
industry generally for an increase
IN immigration. Il was said. how.
ever. there was an equal pressure
against such a policy
Not Affect Refugees.
The situation with which the ad-
y ministration is undertaking 70 dea'
az this time is quite apart from the
proposals that refugees from the
Near East be permitted TO enter the
United States in excess OF the quota.
for the countries from which they
come. There was no expression o,
opinion from the executive depart
ment as 10 this but Two resolution.
20 waive the restriction law as q
the refugees were introduced in the
senate. one by Sen. Walsh. Demo
crat. assachusetts. and the other
by Sen. Keyes. Republican. New
Hampshire.