Evening star., 1924-02-21
HUGHES EXPLAINS
Immigration VIEW
Says He. Fears Proposed Bill
Will Not Meet Purpose
of Its Backers.

Objections of the State Department
to details OF the pending immigration
bill were described to the chairmen
Of the Senate and House immigration
committees yesterday by Secretary
Hughes. He forwarded to the House
immigration committee protest from
the Rumanian legation which Chair
man Johnson of that committee de-
clared 'impudent."
In a letter to Senator Colt, repub-
lican, Rhode Island, as chairman Of
the Senate immigration committee,
and to Mr.. johnson, Secretary Hughes
urged that proposed legislation should
avoid any discrimination OF which
just complaint can be made" He
called attention that the plan Of the
figures as the basis for future quota
representations from Italy and Ru-
MANIA" but did not amplify views he
previously had expressed regarding
's + 'es desire," said Mr. + Hughes h es letter
to Senator Colt, ito make no sug-
gestions as to the basis Of the quota
further than to state that it Is hoped
that basis will be found that will
which just complaint can be made"
Task of Consuls.
In his letter to Representative john
son. Secretary Hughes said that the
johnson bill as now framed, while de-
signed to carry out recommendations of
President Harding for avoiding ,disap-
pontments to immigrants, would not in
fact meet the Harding suggestions. Un-
der certain conditions American con-
suls could not deny immigration certifi- =
Gates, he continued, although they had
knowledge that the immigrants would
have to be excluded upon arrival In
America, He approved suggestions for
combining passport viSes and immigra-
ton certificates to simplify consular
work.
1t seems to me-" said Mr.. Hughes,
that it would be very unfortunate
to pass Il law generally understood to
accomplish something which, as a
matter of fact. il does not accom-
plish. If it is the sense of Congress
that there should be thorough eX-
animation of prospective immigrants
In the (American) consulates to as
certain, as far as possible, whether
they are subject to exclusion under
the immigration law. and that the
consuls should have authority to re-
fuse immigration certificates to those
who appear to be subject to eXclu-
sion. l shall. of course, be glad to
meet with the committee for the pur-
pose of formulating the necessary
amendments to the bill"
Speaks OF Cost.
He added that while he saw no OBJ
lection, under International law, to
making such a change in the immi-
grafton system, 1t was important to
bear in mind that it would add con-
siderably to the work of the consul
lates and require a proportionate
oughly and effectively.
1T is for Congress to decide" Mr.
Hughes added. what part. if any.
consuls are to have in the enforce
ment OF the immigration law
One of Secretary Hughes sugges-
tions was that quota restrictions
should not apply to American repub-
lies. and he urged An amendment
which would extend exemption of the
quota law to citizens of these coun-
tries who might be residing in other
countries.
Johnson would comment on the COM
munication from the State Depart
ment. Mr.. Johnson did, however,
read the Rumanian protest on the
floor of the House. 1t said adoption
OF the 1890 census as restrictive
basis would deeply wound the pride
OF the Rumanian people" and
strongly affect their material in
tereSts."
These impudent protests received
from foreign governments to recu-
perate at the expense :of the Ameri-
can people will have the result soon"
he said. II hope. of insuring enact
ment OF really restrictive immigra-
tion legislation"
Representative Gable, republican.
Ohio, a member OF the immigration
committee. said later that an Amer
bloc should he orOanjZad fo
combat the foreign bloc" in Con-
GreSs