Truman Foresees Early Action by Congress to Aimit Dp’s in Message to Usna Parley

Early action by Congress to authorize the admission of displaced persons to the United States was foreseen today by President Truman in a message to the annual meeting of the United Service for New Americans.

Rep. William Stratton, of Illinois, sponsor of a bill at the last session of Congrass to admit 400,000 DP’s over a period of four years, told the meeting, which was attended by more than 1,000 persons, that he believed that such legislation would be adopted at the present session. Speaking last night, Assistant Secretary of State Charles saltsman said that the State Department favored allocation by the International Rerugee Organization of $75,000,000 to transport 400,000 PP’s to the U.S. and believed that the U.S. contribution to the IR0 should be adequate to cover the costs.

THE TEXT OF THE PRESIDENT A MESSAGE READ AS FOLLOWS:

“Ever since the end of the war it has been my desire that our country afford sanctuary to a substantial number of the men, women and children who lost their homes land all they held dear during years of persecution in the Old World, I have felt that in this .way we can give an opportunity to worthy people to rebuild their lives as American, and can exemplify the practical meaning of the ideals of humanitarianism and individual liberty which the United States upholds before the world.

“In planning a hospitable policy toward the homeless, it has been most reassuring to know that those admitted to our shores are welcomed add assisted by well-organized and skillfully conducted programs carried on by United Service for New |American and other voluntary agencies and supported by the private genorisity of pour people. Happily, it is now possible to hope for early action by the Congress to authorize the admission of our country’s fair share of the homeless. This will greatly increase the tasks of the voluntary welfare agencies.

“It therefore gives me particular pleasure to extend greetings and good wishes to United Service for New Americans and to the warmhearted and public-spirited men and women who cooperate so effectively in your program, on the occasion of your annual meeting. I know your deliberations will result in a further strengthening of the work.”

WILLIAM ROSENWALD PREDICTS BREAKING OF LOG JAM ON IMMIGRATION

Early “break-up of the log jam that has kept hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children in the status of displaced persons was foreseen by William Rosenwald, honorary president of United Service and national chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, in addressing the meeting. “The gates are beginning to open, and the United States is leading the way,” Mr. Bosenwald declared, Since the displaced persons are Catholics, Protestants, and Jews, the problem is of equal importance to Americans of all faiths, Mr. Rosenwald said, adding that it was being handled in closest harmony and with the utmost mutual helpfulness” by agencies of all faiths.

Enactment of the Stratton or Ferguson bills to admit 400,000 displaced persons to the United States was urged by Mr. Saltzman. Emphasizing that this country was lagging-in letting other countries “take the active lead in alleviating” the conditions of displaced persons, and is “actually in a better position to receive a substantial number than any other nation,” he declared that the Administration. “Strongly endorses the proposal to admit these people and will continue to urge that suitable Legislation be passed at the earliest possible time.”

The activities of USNA were hailed by Mr. Saltzman and Rep. Stratton, as well ? by Watson B. Miller, Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization, who spoke is afternoon. Maj. Gen. Walter A. Wood, chief of the Preparatory Commission of the IRO also spoke. Messages were received from Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, Mayor William ‘Dwyer and Henry Morgenthau, Jr., national chairman of the UJA.

The board of directors reelected Edwin Rosenberg as president and Mrs. Irving M. ##ngel, as chairman of the board| of directors. Other officers elected for 1948 were is follows: William Rosenwald, New York, Mrs. Joseph M. Welt, Detroit, honorary presidents; Prof. Joseph P. Chamberlain, New York, honorary chairman of the board; Alexander S. Keller, Hartford, vice-chairman of the board; Mrs. Louis Broido, New work, first vice-president; Enwin Scbwarz, New York, second vice-president; Mrs, ##erman| B.Levine, third vice-president; Mrs. Simon E. Sobeloff, Baltimore, secretary; ##. Walter A. Hirsch, New York, associate secretary; Carlos L Israels, New York, treasurer; Mrs. Mortimer Schwager, New York, associate treasurer.