The responsibility of the state for the welfare of Its individual members is progressively increasing. The democracy of today is intolerant of disease. degeneracy. poverty. It can not permit these social ills to be aggravated by excessive immigration. The complicated governmental problems of a modern democratic nation demand the intelligent attention of the whole public. And this Implies the necessity of a considerable degree of homogeneity. We permit at our peril the planting on our soil of unassimilable communities. It Is such considerations that appear to aninmate the supporters of the Burnett immigration bill. with its added restrictions aimed at mental disease. Its literacy test. and increased head tax. The fear is entertained that with the close of the war there will be a huge Influx of aliens fleeing from the poverty that will oppress Europe In the Immediate future and the wars of revenge that may follow. Poland. Galicia. and Serbia* have hundreds of thousands of families uprooted by the war. among whom emigration societies and the agents of shipping companies will find hosts of recruits. These people are largely illiterate. and the Burnett bill. if it becomes law. will close the doors of the United States to them. Mr.
Identified stereotypes
Generalization that immigrants are unassimilable and cause social ills.