Evening star., 1924-04-01
BAN @ N ALIENS HELD
ESSENTIAL TO NATION
Secretary Davis Paints Black Pic
ture of Future With Open
Door Policy.
WOULD RESTRICT MEXICANs
Wants Whole World Placed on
Percentage Basis.

The future of this country depends
more upon the immigrants yet to
come to America than il does on
those already here. Secretary of La
Dor James j. Davis said in an ad-
dress on Emigration and Labor be-
fore Washington Study at Rausch-
er's yesterday afternoon. He de-
plorcd the fact that there is open
immigration for Canada and Mexico.
while the rest of the nations. with
the exception Of those on the barred
list, are compelled to abide by the
percentage system. There should be
no discrimination between the Euro
pean and the Mexican lie said. and
the whole world should be placed
on percentage basis.
America would be a world para
disc for the working people. he said
were the people willing to realize the
advantage of having efficient labor
rather than cheap iabor The Sec
retary said the department has in
formation that there are at least a
million Europeans anxious to come
70 TINS country to work as domes-
tics and maids, but the figures show
mat that but about $4,000 are en-
lltied To come. There are 900
HoilanderS DESTROYS of locating in
tne farming lands Of this country.
hut, according to law. only 1000 may
inter, he said. They are homc-lov-
,ug, hardwotkinG and peaceful peo-
pie, he said. who have plenty Of
money to finance their ventures in
farming when they arrive.
Shall We exclude this desirable
IlaSS and allow the MeNicans. who
hood the new land which may be
opened up on the Rio Graude?" he
asked.
Would Issue Certificates.
Special immigration certificates
should be issued To all wishing to
come to the United States. the Secre-
tary SAID, and we should have the
who would be the easiest for us 10
aSSImilate and who would best meet
with our needs. select the desira-
bic ones and allow those not cx-
pressing a desire for labor to re-
main at home, as we have enough
rIch and poor loafers and barnacIes
in America now" he said
IN choosing aliens. the first thought
should be given to the women and
children whose husbands and fathers
are already here he said and cx-
pressed disapprova! OF granting citi-
Zgnshtp to any foreigner whose fam
l!E is still in the fathcrland The
next step is the selection of skilled
respect, he said. our own skilled la
Dor cannot get along without the aid
OF common labor.
Necessity for Action.
Open immigration win f,s - reaIit,.
II Congress does not see fit to pass
a restrictive measure before July /.
| 1874, when the present law become
imperative. he said, and with ii bust
ness VIII go on the rocks as the
rush of aliens will be so great thar
wages viii become so low nobody
VIII he able to buy anything Let
tn, government bc handled with the
same economic consideration and care
as given TO the governing of a home
ne said, and the problem Will be set
tied
ThIS is great country. hut it is
TOO small to house the entire world.
ana tnat what open immigration
means. he said He pointed to the
prospect OF the closing of many of
the high-cost coal rnfnes in the near
future with the resultant Iav-off of
aDout 140.ooo men. whom the depart-
ncnt Will endeavor to place in other
positions How are we going to do
this with the back door to Mexico
wide open? This will cheapen labor.
out What you get cheap is worth
oily "hat you pay for it," he said.
BootIegging Aliens.
"Bootle gging" the alien is another
problem the department faces. he
said, but could be abolished by COM
pelilng aliens to join Uncle Sans
fraternity within reasonable tinln
or else be deported. Give them the
special immigration certificate teach
them the ways of America and their
place IN the republic--do this before
lhf!r minds are distorttd d through as
Soclatlon with tn" undesirable ele
ment He said it is the fault of Tho
people that the law compelS the ed
ucatlon of Americans and allows the
alien to go une duCated
The time has come for this NATHAN
70 say who shall come. rather than
To accept what is sent. Secretary D5-
WIS SAID, and questioned the right of
Europe to lock the front door and
throw open its back door to us The
eountrys first duty is to cope with
our own unempioynen situation bf
iofe allowing millions more to come
mere 10 complicate the situation
we sometimes have misery enough
OF our own, without allowing others
20 land In America and be misera-
BILE. also" he said.
The future of America lies in
the character of aliens we allow 10
enter and If Congress does not SCI.
NJ TO provide Selective immigra
ton law or. at least, a law on tbs.
percentage basis. ! shudder to think
OF the consequences" the Secretary
concluded.
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