The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-05
Cabinet Member Urges Re- striction On Immigration And Care Of Neglected Children
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU l
 THE AGE HERALD Montgomery, Ala, Sept. 1


 Stringent immigration regulation, based on the selection of immigrants before they start across the Atlantis, and care by the state for orphaned or neglected children were the fea- lures of the address delivered be- fore a joint session of the Alabama legislature today by James J. Davis, secretary of the United States de- lartment of labor.
 Secretary Davis had his audience with him from the start, and the ap- peal for the preservation of Amer lcan institutions and American child life on the part of the man who began life in Wales brought tre- mendous applause from the legisla- tive assembling and the galleries. The speaker was particularly ap- plauded when he urged that aE Americans get behind legislation which shall give America the right to select immigrants with the selec- ton beginning on the other side of the Atlantic; or else to have no inn migration at all and further, to drive every undesirable alien from this country.
 Reference was made by Secretary Davis to the small percentage "f ip- migrants who are actually engaged in any sort of productive labor after reaching America He told also of the large proportion of mentally and physically defective who have come to this country, and mentioned that while he was in Europe inhabitants of that continent had not hesitated to say that their chief interest Tn immigration is to get rid of the rub bish of their countries by dumping it in America.
 Reference was made by the secre- tary of Labor to legislation which he IS backing to include the selec- tive immigration feature, and other provisions, including instructions in Americansm on the part of prospec- tive citizens, and some knowledge of American history before they can become citizens. He proposes to tax immi grants in order to raise funds with which to educate them.
 Commends Alabama.
 Referring to child welfare work. Secretary Davis commended Alabama for the manner in which the state has supported it's child welfare de- partment. This statement brought applause, which had also previously greeted his tribute to the part played by southerners in Congress ln the fight to limit immi grafton.
 The need of proper environment for children was urged and Secre- tary Davis strongly denounced con ditions which he said exist in cer- tain country orphanageS and aims houses in various parts of the coun try. He advocated giving every child a chance, with the state providing the necessary care of neglected and delinquent children.
 At the conclusion of his address, the speaker stated that when hls term of office in the cabinet has eN pired he will devote the remainder of his life to serving and improving the welfare of the child life of America.
 Complimentary references to Ala bama were made by Secretary Davis, who stated that the start which sent kim on his way upward was received in this state He spoke of the mar vicious growth of Birmingham as an industrial center, and the pros poets for even greater expansion in the future. At the conclusion Of the address, the speaker was given | quite an ovation, and it was evident | that though in many respects of Q 1 different type from his hearers. he had won their respect and admra-
 ton by his appeals to American l patriotism. Representative Vincent F. Kilgore of Mobile presented the l distinguished speaker of the occasion. | Referring briefly to the force of | character and work which sent him from an immigrant mill worker to 8 place in the cabinet of the President of tha TTnifed States