Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-09
THE MONTHLY ALIEN QUOTA

THE MONTHLY ALIEN QUOTA
The recent report from New York
that for a second time in a month
thirty-four Finnish immigrants had
been deported from that port on
swedish American liner, again brings
up the question of desirable changes
in the immigration law.
The restrictive immigration act,
passed by Congress and signed by
President Harding in May 1921, will
be in operation until June 80, 1924.
The number of unassimilated aliens
will determine the future policy and
whether there be need for still fur
Their temporary szclusion of aliens
who ordinarily would be admissible.
The monthly quota of each coun-
try, 20 per cent. of it's annual quota,
was established to distribute through
several months the immigration
which would otherwise food the
ports Of entry at the opening Of the
quota year. Because Of the hard
ship it imposes on those who make
the trip in vain, it has been cited
as a bad feature of the new law, and
some critics would substitute a more
elastic provision for the present
monthly allotment.
The new years rush of immi-
grants has been a severe test for the
law. Sixteen ships carrying 1880
;pto vi
as midnight ushered in the new
quota year on July /, says THE
Interpreter" published by the For
eign Language Information Service.
Bands were playing, and passengers
crowded to the rails to cheer as if
at some event in the world of
sport. None the less 1t was race
in dead earnest and for no small
stake, for the rival vessels brought
moro aliens from some countries
than could be admitted in any one
month under the provisions of the
law. The Greeks, for instance, num-
bered 1924, only 613 Of whom could
enter in July. The later arrivals
among them faced exclusion while
the lines which brought them had to
bear the cost of returning them
home.
The new commissioner OF immi-
grafton at New York would solve the
difficulty b. having steamship
lines cable Washington the num-
Of TIM mi O q
aboard before the vessel departs.
Washington would then notify the
line whether or not its pas
sengers came within the 20 per
cent limit. and at the same time
reserve that number of immigrants
against the months quota so that all
aboard would he assured of entry II
otherwise acceptable. Such check
ing off against the quota of immi-
grants who have sailed would enable
the authorities to prevent sudden
rush via Canada such as occurred
recently, and which disqualified some
800 British immigrants already on
the water.
Commissioner Curran points out
further that far from increasing the
number admissible monthly, Con-
sress should reduce 1t 10 per cent to
distribute the incoming tide over an
even greater period. Under present
regulations 1851 immigrants can
enter in one month and the full an
nual quota of 1903 can come dur
ing the first Ave months Of the fiscal
year, thereby overworking the I'm
migration Service for weeks at a
time and leaving them comparatively
Idle at other periods. Some 10000
immigrants, or one twelfth Of the
years quota entered the country in
the FIRST ten days Of last month. Be-
fore the month was half gone II
countries had exhausted their month
ly quotas, ara ng them Great Britain
with an allowance of 15.46s. The
end Of the first week found 2,00C
aliens detained on Ellis Island ir
quarters planned to accommodate 100
In the face Of such congestion 1t IL
small wonder that relief is sought
even though reduction Of the month
ly quota would mean that fewer
aliens could come to these shores
in the spring and summer months
the popular time for venturing forth
into q new land.
While the quota total for 1922
remains at S57,so3, there have been
minor changes in the allotments Of
several countries due mainly e