Further restriction of immigration by Congress at the opening of its next session early in December was virtually assured when President Hoover told a press conference at the White House that he was in agreement with Senator David Reed that economic conditions in the country require new immigration legislation.
It is to be expected that Senator Reed and his fellow restrictionists, doubly encouraged by the president’s statement, will try to rush through a bill as quickly as possible after Congress reconvenes. It is to be noted, however, that while approving the fundamental idea of making changes in the present law. President Hoover said he was opposed to Senator Reed’s plan of suspending immigration for two years.
The president did not explain what he meant, but probably referred to permanent legislation. He added, however, that what he has in mind is a revision of the present law to bring about “greater flexibility and selectivity,” thus probably favoring an adjustable system depending on economic conditions. He also said that while the government’s instructions to consuls had reduced immigration in October to 6,000 as compared with 24,000 in the same month last year, he felt that additional legislation has become necessary.
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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.
