The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1931-04-16
TELEPHONE NUMBER NINE
LESS IMMIGRATION

According to figures made public recently by the
National Industrial Conference Board gross total i'm
migration to the United States for the fiscal year
ending June 80 will not exceed $4,000, decrease Of
1000 under the previous fiscal year. Mexican I'M
migration has been cut down by the strict applica
ton, the part of the administration of restric
tive rules. 1t is estimated at 5000 for the present
fiscal year against $4,000 In 1923. Administrative
restrictions have also cut down the immigration from
Europe The change since the adoption of restric-
tive legislation has been marked.
The total number of immigrant aliens during the
last nine fiscal years. 1922 to $780, was 1901 $751;
an annual average of 366887. The yearly average
for the three years 1922 to 1924 IA and dur
ing the last six years only 293,768
Now Judging by the immigration figures of the
prewar years and of the year 1920 just previous to
the passage of the first restrictive immigration act
it safely be assumed that at least six million i'm
migrants would have come to the United States from
Europe alone since 1921 instead of the 1926 900 that
actually have reached shores. And not only has
there been decrease IN immigrants since 1921 but
the percentage of common unsklled workers has
dropped from SO per cent in 1914 to 288 per cent in
$780, indicating that under laws the quality
of immigration is increasing just the quantity is
decreasing.
1t is not hard to imagine what would be the situa-
ton in our country today had unrestricted immigra
ton been allowed to stand We would have had at
least five million and perhaps six or seven million
more Idle workers IN the country than there are at
present, when there are not enough jobs to go
around This is picture which we do not like to
dwell upon. Certainly the restrictive immigration
act has been blessing not only to our American
workingmen but to the institutions of the country
as WE'LL
In fact, further immigration restriction a few
months ago became necessary, because Of temporary
economic conditions, and President Hoover wisely
took steps further to cut down immigration with
view to aiding the unemployment situation in our
country. The President announced that the State
Department. through its consular agents abroad
would refuse visas to alien aborers seeking work in
this country This action was taken on authority of
the law which permits exclusion of immigrants who
are liable to become public charges In normal times
the applicant for admission to the United States who
is an able bodied person with means to support him.
self until he gets to the United States is admitted if
he comes within the quota. But in abnormal times,
like the present. when there is no reasonable pros
pect for employment, the visa is refused
1t is only just that the immigration law should now
be rgidy enforced 1t is true that there are lust as
good citizens in the other countries of the world as
IN America, and that splendid part has been played
10y immigrants and the of immigrants in the up
building of our country. But conditions have now
changed and there can be no question that without
restricted immigration would have ere this been
engulfed in flood of alien immigration which it
would have been difficult for America to absorb
-O-