Evening star., 1953-01-02

mitted to adjust their status to
permit them to remain in the
United States"
The report also mentioned aliens
who are FaScists, Nazis or men,
bers of any totalitarian party. It
called for a clearer and broader
definition of "totalitarian."
It recommended that aliens who
formally belonged to such parties
be admitted to this country if
they clearly repudiated such af-
flliation and ideas and If admins
trative officers find that admission
of such aliens would not be con-
trary to the public interest. The
report added that aliens should be
deported unless they have. re-
Inounced such doctrines for at least
five years.
The Presidents commission
leveled dts heaviest fire against
what 1t called undemocratic and
dangerous features Of the present
law.
"The law embodies policies and
principles that are unwise and in
furious to the Nation" it declared.
1T rests upon an attitude of hos
tility and distrust against all
aliens. 1t applies determinations
against human beings on account
OF national origin. race. creed and
color.
1T ignores the needs of the
United States in domestic affairs
and foreign policies. It contains
unnecessary and unreasonable
restrictions and penalties against
individuals. It is badly drafted,
confusing and in some respects
unworkable. It should be recon-
sidered and revised from begin
ming to end"
Headed by Perlman.
The commission was headed by
fo1 1ner Solicitor General Philip B.
Perl1aan. Other members were
Earl =. Harrison, former Immi-
grafton Commissioner and for
merly dean Of the Pennsylvania
University Law School; Msgr. John
O'Grady of Washington, secretary
|of the National Conference of
Catholic Charities; the Rev. Thad-
deus F. Gullixson. president of the
Lutheran Theological Seminary of
st. Paul, Mimi; Clarence E. Pick
ett of Pennsylvania, honorary sec
retary Of the American Friends
Service Committee; Adrian s.
Fisher, State Department legal ad-
wiser, and Thomas c. Finucane of
Maryland. chairman of the Board
Of immigration Appeals in the
Justice Department. The execu-
tive director was Harry N. Rosen-
field, formerly a member of the
Displaced Persons Commission.
The only dissent in the report
was the opposition of Mr.. Fisher
to the proposal that the immigra-
ton administrator establish visa
offices overseas as part of the in
dependent, unified system. Mr..
Fisher felt that this would set up,
in effect. a separate foreign serv-
ice" and that the handling of visa
functions overseas should be left
with the State Department.
Touches on Criticisms.
The report reflected much of the
criticism hurled at the McCarran-
Walter Act not only in the veto
message Of President Truman but
in testimony taken by numerous
witnesses at hearings in ii cities.
It summarized the hearings as
follows:
THE concenSeS was to the effect
that the immigration and Nation
|ality Act of 1852 Injuries our people
|at home, causes much resentment
against us abroad, and impairs
our position among the free ma
tions. great and small, whose
friendship and understanding are
necessary if we are to meet and
overcome the totalitarian menace.
"The gist of the appeal to the
commission was for a fresh look
at the problem, with the hope for
legislation based on humanitarian
principles designed to fulfill our
duties and obligations to suffering
mankind and adequate for our
needs and for our security"