Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-05
Discussion Of immigration
Shows Open Mind on Policies

Recommitment Of the Harris irnmi-
grafton bill to Senate committee comes
in the midst Of countrywide debate as
to its provisions, especially the amend
ment which would abolish the basis Of
national origins. Opponents of this
method Of selection believe 1t Is dis
criminatory. The measure to which
this was attached provided for quotas
for American republics, and there is
strong warning against action which
In some comments is declared to be
undiplomatic.
zone method Of working out the
problem" appeals to the Kansas City
Star as especially worth considera-
tion," and that paper explains: "It is
that of flexible, selective system by
which the volume and nature of immi-
grafton at any time could be controlled
in accordance with ascertained economic
and labor conditions in the United
States. With industry more and more
organized to permit the assembling of
such information, there Is no apparent
reason why such plan would not be
feasible"
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"A vote to send the bill back to COM
mittee probably has killed the PROPOSE
ton for this session at least" thinks the
Port Huron Times-Herald, pointed out,
however, that 1.-The vote, 80 to 81, indi-
Gates q very considerable sentiment for
restriction. Many thousands of
have come into Canada" adds the
Times Herald, ARE creating q serious
unemployment problem there. Perhaps
1t Is temporary problem, brought about
by the depression in industry. But that
part of America Is long way from
being an industrial country, and the
present condition is being accepted by
the government as O definite warning
that the general problem Of in1migra-
ton must be looked into most care
fully"
"Under an amendment to the bill by
which the national origins clause was
repealed" says the Muncie Star, "the
total immigration from Europe would
be pared down from $50 900 to 1901
year. The quotas from Germany and
Scandinavia would be Increased. The
national origins clause may have de-
served some criticism, but the law as q
whole has been working satisfactorily.
It should be left alone. A disturbing
AuNbOk 4A1FO1NCo t11C dPPl1CdbkOtl Vi QuOtuO
to the countries of the Western Henri
sphere. Congress in seeking to check
the now Of Mexicans across the inter-
national line may needlessly flout the
Latin American republics. A number
OF Congressman would be willing to i'm
pair our friendly relations with both
Latin America and Canada by restrict
ing immigration from the entire hemi-
sphere"
+ Il X
The congressional committee In re-
minded by the Hartford Courant that
enforcement of the laws controlling
immigration which are already on the
statute books Ii notoriously lax, par
ticularly along the Mexican border,
with the further advice that strict but
friendly enforcement Of the laws that
We already have might result In elimi-
mating the undesirable element; that
"at least 1t should be tried before re-
sorting to legislation that is in its very
nature offensive to our neighbors and
to large part Of our own country"
Perhaps another year Of rigidly en-
forcing present regulations will convince |
the lawmakers that no further curb is |
required" according to the San Antonio !
Express. Acting Secretary Of State |
Cotton testified before the House COM |
mittee and later before the Senate body |