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Show HARDING WOULD RESTRICT ALIENS U. S. Wants Northern Races, But Industries Demand Cheap Laborers WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 The whole problem of immigration was diicusse-d nt length Tuesday by President Harding Hard-ing and his eahlnet, nnd U was Indicated Indi-cated afterwards that this would be one of the subjects with which the executive would deal In his forthcoming forthcom-ing annual message to congress While it was stated at tho White House that there had been no decision deci-sion as to policy at the cabinet meeting, meet-ing, some administration officers were under the Impression that Mr Harding Hard-ing would propose a continuation of the present restriction law with certain cer-tain amendments sponsored by Secretary Secre-tary Davis and designed to raise the general standard of omlgrants embarking em-barking for tho United States. FEW FROM NORTH HALF. The labor secretary, It wa3 said, authoritatively, is opposed to any increase in-crease of the existing threo per cent limitation, at least until tho tide of Immigration from northern and western west-ern Europe reaches the quota allowed by law. Thus far the number of immigrants im-migrants coming from those sections have equalled only about GO per cent Of the authorized maximums on the other hand, officials pointed out, the inflow from southern Europe has reached the permitted maximum each year with many thousands of others in that section seeking to come to this country. Amendments (o the present law which Mr. Davis Is having prepared would prolde for an examination at debarkation ports of all emigrant 'aliens with particular reference to Character and to physical and mental conditions. There also would be a blood test. The examinations would b i ondUCted by public health and immigration im-migration bureau officers stationed abroad. I The Immigration problem, as explained, ex-plained, presents many perplexing phases and any solution of It might have its effect on general economic conditions over the country. It was stated that unless a shortage of common com-mon labor could bo relieved through immigration. thoro would be a ten- dency toward higher wages for this character of help with attendant increases in-creases in prices and also tho inducement induce-ment for farmhands to flock to the Industrial centers. On the other hand, attention was called that a letting down of the immigration bars might produco an overabundance of labor, with resultant unemployment, a lowering low-ering of purchasing power and an economic depression of moro or less general character. There a a present shortage of common com-mon labor and a White House man disclosed that because of this there had como a pressuro from industry in-dustry generally for an increase in Immigration. It was added, however, that thero was an equal pressuro against such a policy. |