Evening star., 1953-02-22
Immigration
Many Church Groups Are Seeking q Law
More Lenient Than the McCorron Act
By Cospor Names
Church News Editor Of The Stur

the National Catholic Welfare Con-
ference Bureau Of immigration,
recently reviewed the Catholic
church'S long standing opposition
to the 1920 quota policy as unfair.
unscientif1c and highly discrimina-
tory" =.
Jewish religious bodies have prac-
tically unanimously urged that the
present law "be completely re-
written" Six major national jew
ish organizations issued q statement
to this effect on January /.
Warnings that the new immigra-
ton law imperils previous American
standards have come from many
Washington church leaders. Metho-
dist Bishop G. Bromley Oman
charges "the good in the McCarran-
Walter immigration and nationality
law is submerged in bad philosophy,
archaic provisions and un-American
procedures. It should be repealed
and new law enacted with flexible
quota system, without discrimination
based upon race, color or sex, with
American procedures for fair hear
ings and appeals in deportation pro-
ceedings."
DR.. Joseph M. Dawson, executive
director, Baptist Joint Committee on
Public Affairs, stated a majority of
Southern Baptists agree with most
other church groups in wishing
long-range legislation" removing
discriminatory provisions.
Presbyterian Opinion
The Rev. Howard F. Gebhart,
chairman of the Social Education and
Action Committee, Washington City
Presbytery, said. Il am quite sure
that I speak the voice of the Pres
bytery in holding for broader inn
migration program for our Nation
than that presently prescribed by
law" The Rev. William J.. Line
back, general secretary, Capital
Area Christian Missionary Society
Disciples of Christi, declared Amer
ican immigration policy ''ought not
to be static thing, nor one char
acteriZed as exclusive or unfairly
favoring one nation over another"
and urged that unused quotas each
year be pooled" among other ma
tionS.
A warning that many Italians,
on the basis Of complete disillu-
Sionment in regard to our immigra-
ton legislation, may vote for the
Communists in the next election"
was voiced by Msgr. John O'Grady,
general secretary of the National
Conference Of Catholic Charities, in
Rome last month.
On the other hand, the National
Association of Evangelicals has as
serted lit is generally thought by
evangelical circles here that the
three years hard work of the House
and Senate immigration Commit
tees, has produced decidedly inn
proved bill and one that would prob
ably meet the approval of the ma
jority of loyal United States citi-
zenS."
Miss Weadick pointed out that
while opponents have been protest.
ing the national-originS formula
none of them has "ever suggested q
substitute. It would seem, there
fore, that any wide, open-door policy
is not going to get very far unless
some definite, spelled-out substitute
for the national-origins plan is
submitted to the congressional COM
mittees."
The Rev. De Loss M. Scott, pastor
of the National Tabernacle here,
said, IF ever we needed legislation
to protect our country from an influx
of undesirable aliens who are OPP
posed to our American policy and
way of life, it is now. However, it
is possible that in barring such we
may, at the same time, bar those
who are desirable and of inestimable
value for our land of America. In
the light of this it would seem that
further careful study, with possible
revisions at certain points, would
be of value to all concerned"
It is natural that disagreementS
will arise on such sensitive meas
ure as the immigration law. But
with general good will on all sides,
rather than much of the acerbity
that has marked past discussion, a
law containing the best American
ideals to At the difficult problem
should be achieved.