Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-08-08
INDUSTRY AND IMMIGRATION
TOLD OF BY MIR. HASKIN
Daily Letter by Frederic J. Haskin

WASHINGTON, D. C. Aug. 81
The immigration problem from the
viewpoint of the men who control
American industry is presented in
the report of a survey that was con-
Quoted under the auspices Of the
National Industrial Conference
Board. This report, which has been
published, is entitled THE 1mml-
grafton Problem in the United
States" and is believed to be the be-
ginning Of a hard drive to wrest a
new immigration law from the next
Congress.
Criticisms are made both of the
present 3 per cent law and of the
methods of its administration. The
argument is advanced that our nat
ional policy with respect to the ad-
mission of foreigners should be gov
erned by broad humanitarian prin-
ciples, and the point is made that
a selfish insistence upon restriction
or exclusion is short-sighted and re-
suits ultimately to the disadvantage
Of the very element of our people
it is supposed to serve.
Keeping out the foreigner has been
urged as a means of protecting
american labor against a competition
that Will reduce wages and lower
living standards. However, the sur
vey of the National Industrial Con-
ference Board argues that if the
United States does not take the sur-
plus labor of overcrowded European
countries, an economic condition is
created in those countries hat cur-
tails or destroys a great market for
American products, thus affecting
adversely the welfare and prosperity
of our workers.
The National Industrial Confer
ence Board speaks with authority
for tho captains of American in
dustry. 1t is an organization of or
CARNATIONS, as it were, including
practically all the various associa-
tons of manufacturers and produc-
ers in the country. 1t is said to rep
resent at least fifteen billion of inves-
ted capital in concerns hat have an
aggregate of some seven or eight
million employees. The headquarters
Of the Board, formerly in Boston,
are now located in New York, and
there is a branch office in Wash
ington.
The Board maintains a large staff
Of experts to study various phases
Of Industrial and economic ques-
tions and compile data and make
recommendations hat are published
for the information and guidance of
those who control capital in indus
try. Incidentally these publications
serve as a basis for propaganda in
legislative drives.
1t was this Board that met with
| the labor leaders of the country and
worked out a program for handling
Industrial controversies during the
war hat resulted in the creation of
the National Wa Labor Board that
handled more than 1900 disputes
between employers and employees
and succeeded in preventing any in
terruptions of industry hat would
handicap the overseas fighting forces
Of the United States.
Conclusions As To Policy
1T is clear" says the Boards re-
port on immigration, that a wise,
comprehensive and humane immi-
grafton policy can not be based x
clusively on the consideration or
any immediate, special or purely
economic aspect of the problem, but
must be developed out of broad, far
sighted and scientifically grounded
views of national and international
social and economic progress and
human welfare.
THE injustices and Inconsistencies
arising from imperfect >administra-
ton of the present laws should, if
possible, be avoided in the future"
The complaints which the Board
makes as to the name in which
the 3 per cent law is enforced are
summarized as follows:
The State Department and the De-
partment of Labor both busy them
selves with immigration. but they
do not work in harmony. Consuls
abroad indiscriminately issue pass
port vises to eligible and ineligible
persons alike.
No examination is held abroad to
determine mental fitness, the chief
selective function being in thei hands
of the steamship companies. which
undertake to avoid heavy fines. and
not from any sense of public duty.
The 13, 1871 debarments last year are
cited in this connection.
Not enough care Is taken to de-
tect mental detectives in ports of
ENTRY. Facilities were cramped in
1917 and the new law has only add