Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-01-17
immigration
!. Battle RACES
Powerful Forces at Grips Over
Policy-Capital and Labor at
Loggerheads Again
CHAPTER |.
(Ry United Prcss.)

w dSulHSlOH, Jam - WV
full forces have come to grips here
TO determine who shall dictate the
writing of the nations immigra-
ton policy, now under considera-
ton by Congress. ~
Two years ago, when a post
war mass migration Of ETope's
destitute populations to this eoun-
try seemed imminent, Congress
threw out a bulwark in the form
of the present "three per cent
law, limiting immigration from
any country 10 per cent annual
~ of the total number OF ma
tionals of that country in the
United States in 1910.
Behind this, Congress announc-
ed, it would draft a carefully
drawn, close woven permanent
policy, taking into consideration
all the manifold questions con-
nected with immigration.
With the passage of a year,
Congressional immigration author
ities were little nearer the com
pletion of their task than when
they started it. So monumental
did the undertaking appear when
once fully comprehended that
these men had little hesitation in
urging Congress to extend the
"three per cent" ban for two
wears longer, until June 80, 1924,
to give more time to 4 solution
of the problem Of u permanent
policy. This Congress did IN the
spring of 1922. ...
Since that time, an Industrial
revival has evolved from the de-
preston into which the country
was plunged by postwar della
tion. The problem OF unempioy-
ment which troubled the Admin
istration to such an extent that
it called a special conference TO
debate it's solution in the winter
of 1921 has disappeared.
In its place is raised the prob
lem of a labor shortage. For g
remedy for this, hopeful indus
trials have turned TO Congress Tor
relaxation of the immigration
bans to encourage a flow OF Ia
Dor into this country.
Bitterly opposed to what they
term a selfish and dangerously
narrow attitude toward the ma
tional welfare, is . vast host Oh
people who are fighting any mod
ification of present immigration
restriction laws and who even
seek to impose on Congress q con-
Viction that the national welfare
demands more drastic restriction
than ever before attempted
These are the two factions that
are at grips on Capitol hill to-
day. Both parties will contend
bitterly that their wills shall pre-
vail. Each will exert its utmost
to carry the day.
For the agitation over modiE-
cation of the present restriction
law is considered here as the
first phase of a struggle to dic'
tate the form and spirit OF the
"permanent national policy.
IN many CHARTERS, the present
law. which expires in eighteen
months hence, is regarded as the
last "make-shift" piece Of mmi-
grafton legislation which Con-
gress will attempt. Interested
( parties in the contest are bring
ing up regiments Of documents
and statistics.
Every conceivable pressure Is
being brought to bear on Con
gress by organized bodies whlcn
have AN interest in the outcome
Of the BATHS. Professional press
agents are busy grinding out pro-
papanda pro aud, con.
In this atmosphere surch2rg-
cd with tension. Congress is pre-
raring to legislato on a problem
the solution of which may be lie"
seven unto the hundredth ge"er-
ation." For Immigration is not
The importance OF grain or coat
or lumber. but Of human fIe>n
and blood. human beings whose de
scendants will inherit the Amerl-
can republic aud continent gene'-
ations to come.