Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1923-03-07
CONGRESS FAVORS
NEW ALIEN BILL
FURTHER RESTRICTION OF ia,
MIGRATION BELIEVED 10 BE
DESIRE or COUNTRY.
MAY PASS AT THIS SESSION
Many Elements Besides Organized la
Dor Urge Tightening Of the ExeIu-
sion Provisions-Legislators Not In
elined to Heed the Protests.

sion oNlSlons-Lc9lSlatorS NoK IN
elined to Heed the Protests.
BY EDWARD 3. CLARK
Washington.-The house of repre-
sentatiyes is about 10 give consider
alton 10 the immigration restriction
bin approved a day or two ago by the
house immigration committee. With
the feeling ON this matter as il IS to-
day in the country, and especially in
congress, IL is more than possible that
the bin will be enacted into law
quickly.
Washington has felt for a long time,
possibly of course mistakenly, that
sentiment throughout the country has
been focusing In behalf of some plan
further 10 keep immigrants out Of the
country. The pleas of the manufac-
turing and Industrial interests gen
orally 10 raise the bars have had little
effect on members OF congress because
Of the pressure In reverse which has
been brought to bear by other inter
eStS.
This immigration question is rather
a delicate one 10 discuss. To give the
reasons for the demands for more dras-
tic exclusion legislation means that one
must 20 into matters which many per-
sons probably think had better be kept
under cover because Of the danger OF
arOusing religious or racial animOsi-
ties.
The drive, IL II so may be called. in
behalf Of strengthening the exclusion
measure has been made not only by
the representatives of labor. who fear
wage cuts and a glutted labor market,
but by organizations Of various kinds
and descriptions, some Of them per
haps not altogether open in their man
ifestatiOns OF opposition 10 further ad-
mission OF the foreigners.
Elements for Exclusion.
The japanese exclusion matter
stands by itself, and II needs no ex-
PLANTATION. AS for the rest Of the pro-
posed exclusion legislation. II has been
favored unquestiOnably by what may
be called the America fO- Americans
elements in the population; by organi-
cations which say boldly enough that
there are too many Europeans OF a
certain kind in this country; by most
Of the officials of the great soldier
body, the American Legion, and IN
questiOnably by a society which re-
Gently has had more publicity than its
garb would suggest that II seeks.
In Washington there are advocates
Of the measure proposing increased
restriction rules who say that the op-
eratiOn OF the new statute viii have
the beneficent result of preventing a
further increase in the racial preju-
dlces which exist today, even If men
try TO cover their eyes 10 the fact. The
advocates of the bin hold that the for
eigners who now are here can be as
simulated after awhile If no great adj
ditlonal numbers of then are admitted.
The argument is that assimilation OF
the foreigners here should be perfect
ed before assimilation is made impos-
sible.
The feeling among members of con-
gress Is stronger today on this general
subject apparently than ever 1t has
been before. II Is said that many
members OF congress are also mem
bers Of organizations which have been
looking with dismay upon the foreign
izing tendencies in this country. In
n way when n vote comes on this immi-
grafton measure some of the members
OF congress may vote as they would
have voted I'm meeting halls at home,
lodge meetings. II one cares so To put IL.
Where Opposition Comes From.
Opposition TO the legislation Is TO be
expected from good many sources.
steamship companies will object be
cause their directors seem to think
that the matter Is one of vital impOr-
lance 10 their finances. Organizations
representing the various foreign ma
tionals will object as they always have
objected. but objection from these so
cletles. some congressman seem 10
think will injure rather than benefit
the general cause Of opposition.
II Is Of course only possible that this
tightening immigration restriction
measure GNM htNRlAlE a Jaw al AAAAo 50
sion. but unlike other proposed legis-
lation there seems 10 be likelihood
that the next congress will be as
strongly In favor of its enactment rs
Is the case with the present congress.
II seems TO be the feeling here that
the liberals, progressives or radicals,
as they variously are called, are more
likely to be In hearty favor Of the pro-
posed legislation than their brethren
OF the conservative and semi-consery-
alive ranks. There is nothing. how
ever. to show that members who might
pay attention ordinarily 10 the de-
mands OF certain kinds OF great IN
dustries viii care In this particular
case TO respond 10 their pleas.
The reports which have come from
organizations engaged In the work OF
Americanigation OF the foreigners have
been IN the main favorable, but never.
thelesI Americanization Is said 10 be