Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-02
New immigration
Bill Would Select
Immigrants Abroad

washington. Jan. IA draft OF q
new immigration bill providing for
selection Of immigrants abroad, for
extension Of the quota restriction TO
all countries in the western hemis-
phere and for various notifications
Of the present entry requirements
was sent to the senate and house i'm
migration committees today by Sec
rotary. Davis under whose depart
ment the immigration bureau is adj
ministered.
Members Of the two committees
already have begun informal discus
sions regarding amendment of the
present law and they are expected to
use Mr.. Davis recommendations as
a basis for consideration when actual
work on the new legislation Is be.
gun in the near future.
Under the selective plan embodied
in the secretary's bill every prospec-
tive immigrant would be required to
secure from an American consular
office abroad an immigration certif-
cate. based upon the results Of an
examination and showing clearly
that the immigrant Is admissible I'm.
der the American law. These GER
tifcates would be issued to qualified
immigrants Of the following classes
in the order Of preference stated:
Husbands. wives and minor child
rem Of alien residents who have de-
clared their intention to become
American citizens: immigrants who
served in the military or naval forces
Of the United States during the
world war: ministers Of any religi-
Gus denomination: professors or
members of recognized learned pro-
fessions: skilled laborers; other la
borers, including domestic servants.
The secretary made no recommen-
dation as to the figure that should be
fixed as a quota limitation but In a
letter to Chairman Colt OF the senate
committee he earnestly advocated
application of the quota arrange
ment to Canada. Cexico and south
and Central America which are not
included under the present quota
law. He did not explain his reasons
for making the request. merely cay
ing It was his Judgment that the re-
striction should apply to all coun-
tries, thus making radical depart
,lre from existing laws or pending
legislation"
The bill would provide for suspen-
sion of quota limitations by the 1ssu-
ance of special immigration certincates
tn two special classes. One Of these
classes would include Farmers and
skilled or unskilled labor when LABOR
of the like kind cannot be FOUND un-
employed in the United States. provlo-
ed that no strike or lockout exists OF
impends in the industry seeking to i'm
port such labor" The other speciaiiy
admitted class would be composed OF
husbands, wives and minor children
dependent upon relatives who already
are citizens of the United States.
In times of Industrial depression the
secretary Of labor would be authorized
to suspend all immigration in order
that alien labor could not be brought
into tie United States at time when
laborers already here are out OF en-
ployment
Other provisions Of the bill would
make the following changes IN the
present law.
Aliens once lawfully admitted and
returning from temporary visit
abroad: bonefide students; bonafide sea-
men landing in pursuit Of their call
ing; aliens habitually crossing and re-
crossing the boundary upon legitimate
pursuits: and "aliens who. having re-
sided continuously for the past Ave
years in foreign contiguous country
are authorized to enter the United
States far the purpose OF laboring at
q specified occupation for definite
time at a specified place All would
he cleseed as 'non-immigrants" and
would be exempt from iinm grafton
laws. Under this section. the secreta-
ry explained tperiodic demands for la
borers from Canada and Mexico could
be satisfied.
Foreign quotas would be reckoned
on monthly basis instead Of the pres
ont yearly basis. provision designed
to eliminate the racing of steamships
To bring immigrants within the quota
limitation and to prevent crowding at
ports Cf arrival.
Authority would be given for the
detailing Of immigration officials and
public health service examiners TO
foreign ports to carry out the se!ec-
tive features proposed.
Despite the issuance Of Immigration
certificates abroad all aliens still
would lie required to pass the usual
ply seal. mental and moral tests upon
their arrival at port of entry in this
country.