Evening star., 1952-06-25


Walter immigration bill with the
declaration that its benefits were
outweighed by its shortcomings.
The measure, which had been
denounced by liberals in Con-
Portal Text of Trumon Veto Message.
Page A-d
gress. codif1eS all laws relating to
immigration, naturalization and
nationality but it also retains the
national origin system of immi-
grafton quotas. 1t was this fea-
ture on which the President hit
hardest in a 3,500-word veto
message to the House.
This quota system always
based upon assumptions at vari-
ance with our American ideals
is long since out of date and more
than ever unrealistic in the face
of present world conditions" the
President said.
POOllng Plan Failed.
Opponents of the measure had
sought unSuccessfully to get
through provision for pooling
the unused visas allotted to coun-
tries with large quotas for distri-
button in lands with small quotas
and where the demand for visas
was greater than the supply.
The measure was one of the
most hotly debated of the 82d
Congress. now drawing to a close.
Its defenders said it clarified laws
that date back to 1893 and safe
guarded the American way of life.
It's foes said it was immoral and
followed the NaZi line of racial
superiority.
The measure runs 302 pages and
was co-sponSored by Senator Nc
Carran, Democrat, of Nevada and
Representative Walter, Democrat,
of Pennsylvania.
The House, which will vote first
on whether the veto is to be over
ruled or sustained, passed the
measure, 203 to SO.
Voice Vote in Senate.
The Senate passed it by voice
vote with fewer than a score of
members on the floor.
The President said that while
the bill contains some provisions
he favors. he could not sign it
because of others.
'"The price is too high and in
good conscience I cannot agree
to pay it," he said.
One change effected by the
measure would remove all racial
bars to naturalization and give
at least some minimum quota to
the free nations of Asia.
The President praised this
phase, but said that this reform
comes before me embedded in a
mass of legislation which would
perpetuate injuStices of long
standing against many other ma
tions of the world" He said it
would intensity the repressive and
inhumane aspects of our immigra-
ton procedures"
Would Help Orientals.
The President said that he
wants residents of japanese an
cestry land all our friends
throughout the Far East" to real
ize that II cannot take the step
I would like to take and strike
down the bars that prejudice has
erected against them without at
the same time establishing new
determinations against the peo-
pie of Asia and approving harsh
and repressive measures directed
at all who seek new life within
our boundaries.
In his blast against retention
of the quota system Mr.. Truman
said that this immigration rule
set up in 1924 "discriminates
deliberately and Intentionally
against many of the peoples OF
the world"
He said the idea behind it was
to cut down and virtually elm
mate immigration to this country
from Southern and Eastern
Europe.
Describing the measure as con-
tinuing "a slur on the patriotism
the capacity, and the decency OF
a large part of our citizenry" the
President pointed to the anti
Communist alliance into which
this country has entered with
Italy, Greece and Turkey. Never
theless. he said. we are saying to
their people that you are less
worthy to come to this country
than EngliShmen or Irishmen."
Scoffing at the idea of protect
ing" this Nation against flood o1
immigrants from Eastern Europe
the President said, I'VE do moi
need to be protected against i'm.
migrants from these countries-or
the contrary we want to stretch
out a helping hand"
The President urged that. in liel
Of the measure which he is veto.
ing. Congress Immediately enact
legislation removing racial bar.
rierS against Asians.