business men also, for American business men are getting scarcer and if that sort of thing goes on, we might see the time when there would not be many Americans in Congress.

"The housing problem is serious here in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Where are the millions who want to come to be sheltered? Rents are so high now that it is with great difficulty American workingmen can meet their rent bills. "We certainly have enough red agitators. Many of them are foreigners, and they all prey on foreigners. Too large a percentage of the recipients of charity are foreigners. Would that we could be generous and hospitable to the whole world, but we can not take care of our own.

"And so the story goes. What I want to suggest is that your splendid order urge Congress to pass a bill suspending all immigration for a period of 10 years, and providing for the deportation of every alien who has been in this country 10 years and not taken out his naturalization papers, unless ineligible for naturalization.

"Your order, your principles, and your membership are truly American, and I know of no more patriotically American thing that could be done for and in interest of the American workingman and the American home than legislation of such a kind.

"Yours for America,

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This letter is typical. There are 13 or 14 patriotic societies, such as the Patriotic Order Sons of America, with memberships running into the millions, urging that immigration be practically suspended, at least until all here get employment and the so-called melting pot refines its overflowing contents. The national and State bodies of which these organizations are composed have petitioned Congress to amend and make permanent the quota law. I have here many of the resolutions, but will not encumber the records further than to incorporate a few that are typical.

For instance, the North Carolina State Camp, Patriotic Order Sons of America, May 17, 1921, adopted a resolution, just after Congress had passed and two days before the President signed the law, in part as follows:

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Whereas, as Senator Overman pointed out in the Senate during the debate on the immigration restriction bill this month, North Carolina, with the smallest percentage of foreign born, increased at a greater rate in population, in industrial growth, and made more progress in eliminating illiteracy and along other lines than any other State during the past census decade; and

"Whereas there are over 13,000,000 foreign-born persons, over 6,000,000 al ́ens, over 8,000,000 illiterates, over 5,000,000 unable to speak our language, over 3,000 foreign-language newspapers, one-fourth of which were engaged in disloyal agitation during the war, over 5,000,000 able-bodied unemployed, and other conditions showing conclusively the need of stopping foreign immigration until our swamped forces of Americanization can assimilate the aliens and alienism now here; and

"Whereas all Europe is war torn, seething with raicalism, and epidemic ridden, its millions anxious to invade the United States: Therefore be it

Resolved, by the State Camp, Patriotic Order Sons of America of North Carolina, in annual sess on this 17th day of May, 1921, that we commend the patriotic efforts and votes of Senators Overman and Simmons and Congressmen Kitchin, Brinson, Pou, Stedman, Lyon, Hammer, Doughton, Bulwinkle, and Weaver in behalf of this needed legislation in the interest of America and Americans, and deeply regret that the only Member of Congress from the old South who should have raised his voice and cast his vote against this meritorious measure should have been from North Carolina

*

*

This resolution was reaffirmed in 1922.

Another typical resolution is one adopted by the Tennessee State camp at Knoxville, as follows:

'Whereas, in response to the overwhelming demand of patriotic Americans, and in recognition of conditions in this country and abroad, Congress last May passed and the President approved an immigration law limiting alien immigration to a liberal percentage of the number of various nationalities resident in this country; and

"Whereas the Tennessee congressional delegation pariotically worked and voted for this needed legislation: Therefore be it

"Resolved, by the Tennessee State Camp, Patriotic Order Sons of America, in annual session assembled at Knoxville, this 19th day of August, 1921, that we 29018-23-SER 5-c18

commend our Representatives and two Senators for their patriotic stand on this important question and especially commend Senator McKellar and Representative Taylor for the splendid speeches made on the floor of Congress in behalf of this needed legislation, which we earnestly urge be made permanent, after basing it upon the percentage of the various nationalities resident in and naturalized by the United States."

Similar action was taken by the State Camp of Connecticut at New Britain, as follows:

"Resolved, by the State Camp of Connecticut, Patriotic Order Sons of America, assembled in annual session at New Britain this 23d day of August, 1921, that we earnestly petition Congress to make permanent the immigration law of last May, and further safeguard the best interests of those here, whether native born or alien, by basing the percentage limitation upon naturalization, and reduce the hardships of deportation by enacting some such passport visé and foreign examination as contained in the bill (H. R. 7804) introduced by Congressman Johnson, chairman of the House Committee on Immigration."

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And when the National Camp of the Patriotic Order Sons of America met in Allentown, Pa., with 29 States represented and 249 delegates in attendance, after a thorough discussion of the situation the following was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That we urge upon Congress to continue the percentage limitation law approved May 19, 1921, to base the percentage on naturalized, instead of foreign-born persons, to provide if possible a more thorough sifting at the source of foreign immigration by a passport visé system in addition to a more rigid examination at our ports, and to fine the steamship companies heavily for not observing the spirit as well as the letter of the law."

Not only this leading patriotic order, but 12 other societies representing patriotic Americans generally are urging Congress to enact a law that will cut foreign immigration down to the smallest possible number so that the world may recover from the terrible plight the war left it, and so that America can make substantial progress in assimilating the millions of foreign extraction in our midst.

The American Federation of Labor, which has a dues-paying membership of over 3,000,000 members, June 30, 1921, at Denver, and again in 1922, urged Congress to "forbid the importation of labor from any country until such time as conditions in our country become stabilized and relations of life more normal."

The National Grange, also known as the Patrons of Husbandry, the oldest and practically the only real farmers' organization, with nearly 1,000,000 duespaying, farm-home-owning members, in Portland, Oreg., November 16, 1921, adopted the following resolution, which is in line with its previous attitude:

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Resolved, That the grange approves the principles of the immigration restriction laws (3 per cent quota law) recently passed by Congress as emergency legislation and urges Congress to consider the principles which have been heretofore stated by the National Grange as controlling in this problem; namely, that legislation be provided so that immigration privileges shall be granted to persons who declare their intention of becoming American citizens. and deportation be made possible of all foreigners who do not carry out such declaration and who have not taken out naturalization papers after a limited stated period of residence here and of all persons who seek to destroy the American form of government."

This resolution was reaffirmed at the recent annual (1922) meeting of the Grange in Wichita, Kans.

At the regular monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York held January 20, 1921, the following report and resolutions, submitted by the executive committee, were unanimously adopted:

IMMIGRATION INTO THE UNITED STATES.

To the Chamber of Commerce:

While the United States is still technically at war, the signature of a treaty of peace at Versailles has so modified international arrangements that agencies of transportation have been enabled to resume direct or indirect business activity in central, eastern, and southern Europe. The evidence is incontestable that the economic and political chaos now extant over large areas of Europe has set on foot an emigration of peoples comparable in extent, if not in form, to the great race movements in the early days of our historic epoch.

The races of people affected by this tendency are manifold-Germans, Czechs, Slovaks, Magyars, Poles, Croats, Slovenes, Russians, Rumanians, Dalmations,

Serbs, Gypsies, etc.; the estimates of the Immigration Committee of the House of Representatives are that from 2,000,000 to 8,000,000 Germans desire to migrate agents of 17 steamship companies recently told the Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island that if they had the ships they could bring 10,000,000 immigrants to the United States in one year's time (66th Con., 3d sess., H. Rept. No. 1109.) It is granted that the mechanics of the problem constitute to some extent a bar to an influx of these people, in view of the fact that the present capacity of ocean shipping probably provides means for the westward movement of no more than from 900,000 to 1,250.000 annually, although this may be somewhat augmented by the refitting of existing ships. It should, however, be noted that the total of 900,000 has been exceeded but six times in the history of our country.

Our Nation has two well-developed policies of immigration-we are proud of the asylum we have offered to the oppressed and we desire to welcome into our midst people who will become integral with us in political ideals and social aspirations; we have, on the other hand, for many years resolutely excluded races of people whom we have determined as not falling within these requirements. It would certainly not be inconsistent with our past practice to class with this latter type, for the time at least, immigrants originating in countries wasted by war and ravaged by disease, bringing among them individuals unfitted by limitations of health, mental and moral capacity, physical conditions, age, and sex from forming useful additions to our industrial population, and permeated with the idea that a universal revolution is the panacea for all the ills to which this generation is heir.

A Representative in Congress has well said during the debate on this question "that the first law of nations, as of individuals, is the law of self-protection," and the executive committee after mature deliberation is of the opinion that during the period of readjustment, with unemployment staring many of our people in the face, the introduction of large bodies of people not imbued with ideas of American democracy or orderly habits of mind will throw such a strain upon our already overtaxed power of assimilation as to constitute a peril of the first magnitude.

Congress now has before it two measures worthy of serious consideration dealing with this situation. First is the Johnson bill (H. R. 14461), designed to cope with the present emergency, restricting immigration for one year as amended when it passed the House; the second bill, introduced by Senator Sterling, is more comprehensive. It aims to reorganize the Immigration Service on scientific lines and permit immigration subject to selection under the direction of an immigration board, which it creates.

The executve committee, however, believes that even supposing the Sterling bill be amended in certain essentials which it regards as necessary to its successful operation, a circumstance hardly to be expected without considerable debate, its inherent features preclude a possibility that it can function efficiently without delay too great to be disregarded. For this reason the following preamble and resolutions are suggested to the chamber for its consideration:

"Whereas the general economic disturbances in central, eastern, and southern Europe have initiated an influx of immigration to the United States threatening to overtax its power of assimilating foreign elements in the population; and Whereas Congress has before it various bills dealing with the regulation of immigration: Therefore be it

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"Resolved, That it is the judgment of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York that pending the preparation of perfected legislation along the general lines laid down by Senator Sterling in Senate bill No. 4594, House bill No. 14461, as amended, should receive the support of all citizens having the welfare of the country at heart; and be it further

"Resolved, That the president of the chamber is authorized and directed to appoint from the chamber a special committee to lay before the appropriate committees of Congress the views hereinbefore expressed and such other suggestions as may in the judgment of the executive committee be deemed within the scope of the preceding report and resolution.

Attest:

NEW YORK, January 21, 1921.

DARWIN P. KINGSLEY,

President.

CHARLES T. GWYNNE,
Secretary.

Again at the regular monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, held January 5, 1922, the following preamble and resolutions, submitted by its executive committee, were unanimously adopted:

IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION.

To the Chamber of Commerce:

Whereas this chamber, by action under date of January 20, 1921, has already expressed itself as favoring a sound and constructive policy of immigration, including the reorganization of the immigration service on scientific lines which would permit immigration subject to selection; and

Where as the Dillingham Act will expire on June 30, 1922, and unless Congress enacts new legislation to take effect upon the expiration of this law the conditions concerning immigration will be even more undesirable and inimical to the future of this country than ever before; Therefore be it

Resolved, That the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York urges upon the Congress of the United States the passage of immigration legislation to take effect immediately upon the expiration of the emergency legislation, which will provide for a reorganization of the Immigration Service and a wise and proper selection of immigrants in their own countries before they embark for the United States; and, so far as may be possible, for a distribution and official record of aliens in this country; and be it further

Resolved, That the executive committee of the chamber be, and it is hereby, authorized to take such steps as it may deem wise to assist in carrying out the views as above expressed by the chamber; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this preamble and resolutions be sent to the President of the United States, to the members of the Cabinet, and to the Members of Congress.

And again at the regular monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, held March 2, 1922, the following report and resolutions, submitted by its executive committee. were unanimously adopted:

IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION.

To the Chamber of Commerce:

On several occasions in the past the chamber of commerce has taken action in regard to the immigration situation in the United States. Therefore, in view of the fact that the House of Representatives has passed the Joint Resolution No. 268, quoted hereunder :

"Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the operation of the act entitled 'An act to limit the immigration of aliens into the United States,' approved May 19, 1921, is extended to and including June 30, 1923,"

it seems expedient to suggest certain recommendations for action by the chamber at this meeting.

The bill which it is proposed to reenact, passed as an emergency measure, has met a serious situation. It has been stated by the chairman of the House Committee on Immigration that the percentage act has kept and will keep by June 30 next from the United States 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 aliens, few of whom we are prepared to care for in the year of unemployment and readjustment. It is unfortunate that in spite of the long time which the various committees of Congress have taken for the consideration of this important matter, no truly constructive permanent legislation has been presented to Congress by any of the committees.

Congress has had before it Senate bill 2882, containing many suggestions of a constructive nature, some being designed to lessen the hardship upon

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immigrants, to develop machinery for the better distribution of aliens when admitted, to provide for the registration of aliens in this country, and to protect American labor during periods of unemployment. The bill provides in the main for the same sort of system that has worked so admirably in Canada under orders in council.

As it appears probable that the Senate Committee on Immigration will report out the House Joint Resolution No. 268, with slight amendments, the following preamble and resolutions are presented to the chamber for adoption if approved:

"Whereas it has been reported by competent officials of the United States Government that there is an influx of undesirable immigrants coming over the borders of this country in violation of the immigration act: Therefore be it "Resolved, That the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York urges upon the Congress of the United States that in extending the immigration act limiting the immigration of aliens in the United States up to and including June 30, 1923, the law should be so amended as to guard against the illegal entry into this country of aliens by provisions which will require proof of residence in adjacent countries for a reasonable period of time and that notice to accredited agents of the United States Government must be given by would-be immigrants, not only from adjacent but from all foreign countries in sufficient time to provide opportunity to investigate each individual applicant for passport or other certificate of entry to this country; and be it further

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Resolved, That the president of the chamber of commerce is requested to take such measures as may seem to him expedient to bring the views of this chamber on the subject of immigration before the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Attest:

DARWIN P. KINGSLEY,
President.
CHARLES T. GWYNNE,
Secretary.

NEW YORK, March 3, 1922.

And, finally, last month, at the regular monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, held December 7, 1922, the following report and resolutions, submitted by its executive committee, were unanimously adopted:

To the Chamber of Commerce:

IMMIGRATION.

The immigration policy of our Government has again become a vital issue. Agitation has commence for the purpose of bringing pressure on Congress to repeal all restrictions upon immigration into the United States. The chamber believes in the principle of selective immigration. It is aware of the debt which we owe to the immigrant in laying the foundation of our național greatness, and fully conscious of the industrial needs of the present day; nevertheless, the members will recall that the chamber is on record to the effect that the national interest will no longer tolerate unregulated immigration comparable to that which developed prior to the outbreak of the European war. That cataclysm demolished the myth of the melting pot. We now know that within our borders are colonies of foreign people who even to the second generation think and act as of an age and nation other than their own.

For example, Mr. Albert Johnson, chairman of the Committee on Immigration of the House of Representatives, in a speech before that body, on August 31, 1922, said:

"The Italian-American Review, published in New York City, urged editorially during last May the organization of Italian-Americans,' and that the organized Italians follow their leaders, and the editor even went to the extent of concluding:

"We not only need organization, we need not only a rapid increase in births (among Italians here), but an organized body of mentally alert men and women.'