New Bill Would Set Up International Quota for Alaska

A bill which would create an international refugee quota from which settlers for Alaska would be drawn was introduced in the House today by Samuel Dickstein (Dem., N.Y.). It was referred to the House Immigration Committee, of which Rep. Dickstein is chairman, and he said he hoped to obtain the earliest possible consideration for it.

Differing radically from the King-Havenner colonization measure, which died in the last session, the Dickstein bill would create a special quota made up of all unused immigration quotas of the past six years under which refugees would be admitted to Alaska for colonization purposes.

Refugees would be allowed to enter the northern territory only after presentation of satisfactory proof to the immigration authorities that they had not engaged in subversive activities in their native lands, that they had lost their native citizenship rights, that they had useful and productive occupations which they intended to pursue and that they would remain in the territory a minimum of five years.

Rep. Dickstein also revealed that legislation for a Federal housing project which would provide for self-liquidating home construction for the colonists was being developed for early introduction.

The Representative said action on the measure would “call Hitler’s bluff,” referring to the Fuehrer’s frequent offers to ship political and religious refugees to any nation that would have them. It is reported that the German Government has advised the State Department of its willingness to release some 450,000 refugees, provided that they proceed directly to the United States. Secretary Hull said yesterday that as far as he knew the Untied States had not been advised of such a plan.