THE NATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
devising and supervising the test of selective immigration, there
should be an Immigration Commission. Upon this Commission
should also be imposed the task of making studies which will enable
it to recommend, at the expiration of the period for extension of
the quota law which we propose, the legislation which should then
be enacted.
Present amendments should also reduce the hardships upon
immigrants and make administration more effective. Wives or
husbands and unmarried minor children of resident citizens should
be allowed to enter without being counted in the quota. One-tenth
rather than one-fifth of the quota should be admissible in a month.
Prospective immigrants should be required to apply to consular
officers for immigration certificates, filling out appropriate ques-
tionnaires and presenting their files of identification papers. In
such ways much can be accomplished to make administration of our
laws comport with American standards. (Resolution, Twelfth
Annual Meeting, 1924.)
NATURALIZATION OF ALIENS
Whereas, Aliens enjoy the benefits of the free institutions and
prosperity of this country although exempt from military service;
Be it Resolved, That all citizens affiliated with the Chamber of
Commerce of the United States are urged to do all in their power
to persuade resident aliens to take their stand upon an equality
with our citizens for the defense of the United States by making
application for citizenship papers. (Resolution, War Convention
of American Business, 1917.)
ALIENS IN THE UNITED STATES
There are a large number of aliens in the United States. Many
of them undoubtedly will in time become citizens, and the residence
here of others will prove beneficial alike to themselves and to our
country. It is inevitable, however, that many questions will arise
respecting individual aliens who are within the country, and it is
important that legal entry and presence may be clearly established.
To this end we support the present policy of issuing certificates
of arrival to immigrants who have legally entered the country since
{ 641
