320 WESTERN HEMISPHERE IMMIGRATION

allocated to the department from the chamber’s general fund. There are no
supplemental sources of revenue for this work or any other activity of the
department.
Sincerely yours,

F. STUART FITZPATRICK,
Manager Civil Development Department.

ITMMIGRATION

Literacy test for immigrants: Resolved, That the Chamber of Commerce of the
United States, in annual session in Washington, January 81, February 1, and 2,
1917, place on record its opposition to the literacy test contained in the immigration
 bill which has just been vetoed by the President; its commendation of this
action by the President and its hope that the Congress will see fit in the public
interest to eliminate this feature from the measure. (Resolution. fifth annual
meeting, 1917.)
Immigration legislation: Because of lack of flexibility, the present 3 per cent
immigration law is not adaptable to changing conditions. In order to overcome
 this defect, and at the same time make a distinction between immigrants
 who can directly add to the national strength and those who can not, the
chamber advocates that to the present 8 per cent quota there should be added
a possible 2 per cent quota upon a selective basis. This would provide a
flexibility that would care for proven economic needs up to a maximum of 2
per cent without affecting our social standards, and it is hoped would demonstrate
the widsom of ultimately placing the entire immigration upon a selective basis.
In the opinion of the chamber it is in the national interest that the principle of
selection should be a controlling factor in any immigration legislation that may
be passed by Congress. These proposals will tend to insure the maintenance of a
strong, virile, and essentially homogeneous people that will permit the United
States to measure up to its economic, political, and social possibilities. (Resotution,
 eleventh annual meeting, 1923.)
Immigration policy: Immigration legislation has received the attention from
the chamber which its great importance warrants. It has been considered at
annual meetings, and it has been earnestly studied by a committee of the chamber.
In accordance with recornmendations of this committee which have been placed
before the membership, we believe that the quota provisions of the law should be
based upon the census of 1910 and that the present extension of these provisions
should be for a period not exceeding 5 years. At the same time there should
be inserted a provision for making the quota flexible, through increase above or
decrease below the base figure within stated limits, in order that immigration
may more nearly accord with our own conditions. At the same time, there
should be a means for testing in practice the possibility of selection of immigrants
before they sail in accordance with their desirability and the likelihood of their
advantage in coming to the United States. For the purpose of advising increases
or decreases in quotas and for 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 pericd for extension of the quota law which we
propose, the legislation whieh should then be enacted.
Present amendments should also reduce the hardships upon immigrants and
make administration more effective. Wives of 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 questionnaires 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 eitizens 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.)