Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-04-24
ALIEN
LAW HAS CHANGE
MEASURE AIMED AT SOUTHERN
EUROPEANS LIKELY TO BE
PASSED BY CONGRESS.
BY EDWARD 3. CLARK

Wasll;ugIon.-Tne senate is discus
ling immigration. The house has
been discussing it for some time 1t
looks today as if a restrictive meas
ure will receive the sanction of con-
gress and the approval of the Presi-
dent. There is some opposition from
both Democrats and Republicans in
the two houses, but it probably will be
overcome. Most of the objection to
further restriction of immigration
comes from men who represent dis
tricts containing many foreign-born
constituents.
The present immigration law, which
expires by limitation on June 80 OF
this year, is really restrictive meas
ure, but the proposal is to make the
new one more so. It may be that not
only will the percentage of admissions
be cut but that the basis will be made
on an early year census instead Of that
of 1910, a change which will keep out
large numbers of southern Europeans
while admitting considerable numbers
of northern Europeans.
1t just happens that at hand at this
momeAt there are some facts concern
ing Italy, and it is for this reason that
this country is chosen to point up it's
side Of the case. It has been said
that the present law is restrictive. So
it is, and this is shown by the simple
statement that the present Italian
quota is only $4,000 persons a year.
ItaIys Case an Example.
1t is understood that there are 600,-
600 Italians already registered on the
other side of the water as applicants
for passports as immigrants to the
United States. If either the house bill
or the senate bill shall become a law
this year, the present Italian quota of
$4,000 persons will be reduced more
than half, and the same general pro-
portionate reduction will be made for
other southern and eastern European
countries.
The officials of the Federation Of
Labor and the American Legion re-
Gently joined in an appeal for further
restriction of immigration. Senator
Reed of Pennsylvania, who is urging
the passage of a selective and re-
strictive bill, is veteran of the A. d.
T. and a member Of the American
Legion, but his bill is too lenient to
meet the organizations demands.
In 1890 the comparatively recently
arrived immigrants from northern Eu-
and eastern Europe very largely,
while recently the southern and east
ern Europeans were here considerably
in excess of those who had come from
western and northern Europe. 1t cas-
lily can be seen therefore why those
fer the northern and western Euro
pean immigrants to the southern and
eastern, desire that a census of years
ago rather than a recent census shall
be taken as a basis for fixing the
quotas of immigrants to be admitted.
While the new law, if it follows the
lines Of suggested legislation, will keep
many Italians out Of this country who
desire to come here, it can be said on
the strength of statements made in
congress that the Italian government
Is trying to keep up the character of its
Immigrants. 1t is said that some other
EuropeaL countries are taking exactly
the opposite course, trying their level
best to get rid Of their undesirables
and to keep at home their desirables.
knowledge of this in itself is one rea-
son for the apparent strength of the
desire of congress to put the bars up
higher than they are today.
Sources of Our Population.
A chart has been shown in the SEN
ate which shows accurately the COM
position Of the population of the Unit
ed States in 1920. In explaining the
chart Senator Reed said the following
concerning the composition of our pop
ulation:
''Ten per cent of it is of negro origin.
Of the whole population Of the United
States according to the last census it
is estimated that including negroes "A
per cent is of northwestern European
origin. Excluding the negro the per-
centage would be about 70 per cent.
Of the present population 13 per cent
of the whole number, including ne
groes, came from southern and eastern
Europe, that is, from Russia Poland,
the Balkan countries, Turkey in Eu-
rope Italy and Spain.
'Thirteen per cent of our whole
105,OOO,O00 had a national origin in
southern and eastern Europe, and
8 per cent of the remainder have an
origin that is either Asiatic or white
African, or from some other source
Before immigration legislation final
ly is passed there will be an immense
amount of discussion of it in both
the house and senate 1t is considered
delicate subject because apparently
the official lives of good many mem
bers Of congress depend upon the way
*hey cast their votes in this matter.
Hines Tells of Aid to Veterans.
In an address just made by Gen.
Frank r. Hines, director of the vet
erans' bureau, there is given what
Washington looks upon as probably
the first concrete statement Of actual
present-day facts concerning the num-
Der of government veteran bene-
ficiaries, the number of insurance
policies in force, and specific infor-
f..