The demand for the establishment in the United States of “free ports” for refugees, to where they would be admitted for the duration, is supported today in an appeal addressed to President Roosevelt by William Green, President of the American Federation of Labor, who is now attending the International Labor Conference here.
“I urge you, Mr. President, in my own name and in the name of all the members of the A.F. of L. to cause the creation of free ports in the country for refugee victims of the cruel war – now, before it is too late,” Mr. Green’s appeal to the President stated. “Such action on your part, I believe, will clear the way for similar action in other parts of the Allied and neutral world.”
Calling the attention of President Roosevelt to a resolution adopted by the American Federation of Labor at its last convention with regard to admitting refugees from Europe, the appeal said: “As you will no doubt recall, the millions of men and women who compose the rank and file of the American Federation of Labor member shipment on record in urging the U.S. to grant at least temporary asylum to the victims of Hitler’s bestial persecution. The term “free port” had not been coined at that time but the sentiment of the membership was and is nonetheless synonymous with the proposal.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
