The Wagner-Rogers bill for admission of 20,000 refugee children of three faiths from Germany in the next two years received a setback today when Senator William E. Borah (Rep., Idaho) criticized the measure as containing “a touch of politics.”
Opening discussion of the bill in the Senate, Mr. Borah declared he would support any movement to assist children and oppressed groups but contended that such a program should not be confined to any one country. “We ought to do service on a broad scale and not permit what I think is a touch of politics to enter the picture,” he said.
Senator Robert R. Reynolds (Dem., No.Car.) urged that immigration quotas be suspended for five years. He said it was his duty as an American to provide aid for orphans in the United States before giving aid to orphans of the world. The Senator challenged the Senate to disprove that 90 percent of American parents did not agree with him. He read letters from American parents declaring their sons could not get jobs while German refugees were getting them.
Senate and House leaders hold little hope for passage of the bill, which is regarded as controversial legislation.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
