Evening star., 1928-02-18

General interest In proposed changes
In the immigration law centers largely
in provisions for quotas to be applied TO
persons coming from countries on this
continent. Mexico and Canada. espe-
cially. would be affected by the changes
under the Watson bill in the Senate.
"A constant source OF unnecessary ir-
ritauon with our good neighbor.
Canada" the Kalamazoo Gazette ex-
plains, "is wiped out In the new bill.
which would set the quota immigration
from countries Of the Western Hemt-
sphere on a basis OF 10 per cent OF the
nationals OF each country who were
resident here in 1890. This Is estimated
10 give Canada a quota OF something
like 100000, compared with non-quota
admissions OF 10000. or a practical
lifting Of the restriction. On the other
hand. however, the Mexican annual
quota under the new law would be cut
down to something like $500 from the
non-quota influx from that country last
year OF upward Of $4,000. But TO off,
set the Southwest's seasonal demand for
labor from across the border. provision
Is made TO admit for temporary resi-
dence OF not more than six months up
10 10000 MeXicans. when IN the opinion
OF the Secretary of Labor workers of
like kind cannot be obtained in the
United States within reasonable dis
tance of the labor to be performed"
Mexican immigration" according to
the Providence Bulletin. has increased
by leaps and bounds in recent years.
From $4,000 in 1914 1t swelled 10 go 1000
in l926-an increase OF 800 per cent,
Last year 1t went on to the new high
figure OF $4,000. Thus, In a span Of but
l3 years. II has multiplied itself by five.
And the great bulk OF this increase has
come since the close OF the war and the
passage Of the laws restricting immigra-
ton from overseas. While we have
closed the front door, the back door has
been left wide open"
Referring, however. to the fact that
many thoughtful members Of Congress
from the great Northeast are most
solicitous about the influx OF Mexicans
onto the vast areas OF the Southwest" &"
the Fort Worth Record Telegram states
1T Is impossible TO convince them that
more damage has been done TO law en-
forcement, property and human life by
the aliens. smuggled and legitimate. who
have reached these shores via the At
lantic seaboard and the Great Lakes
during the past two years than from
the Mexicans who have invaded the
Southwest since the Battle OF San
Jacinto. Mexicans are not 'gangstefs.'
There are no quasi political organiza-
tions In the Southwest which can or
VIII utilize professional gunmen. There
In less lawlcasness along the Rio 0rande
than there III on the most famous Lake
Front in the world"
Comparing the Senate measure with
Representative Albert Johnson's propo-
hai for the most drastic restriction OF
immigration" the Brooklyn Daily Eagle
says of the latter: THE idea Of applying
the = per cent Of 1890 residents quota
TO MeAicans and Canadians has evoked
hot hostility. Last year. $4,000 MeXi-
cans came In 10 work for our farmers
In the HouthWest. The average for sew
fral years has been above 10000. The
johnson measure would reduce this To
900. The Watson bill would make 1t
somewhere between 5000 and 10000. IL
Ii claimed that. particularly IN the
sugar beet industry, the Mexican peons
are the only available source OF field
labor"
"Deporting Britlshers and permitting
Canadians to enter freely" observes the
Grand Rapids Press. has been rather
an inconsistent procedure. The Watson
bill would put thsm both on a quota
basis. That has ths advantage OF fair
ness and the possible disadvantage OF
inconvenience. particularly II II 10 go
ing tn call for any type Of passport
travelling Except that this paragraph
win need careful study. the Watson bill
Is one Of unusually high practical
merit"
In praise OF the Senate measure the
Springfield Republican declares, 1t In
eludes on equal terms the countries of
this Western henaisphEre ia The quota