Is it in the interest of labor? Let us go to the Deartment of Labor to learn their attitude. Assistant Secretary Henning says: It Is not so much the quantity as the quality of the Immigrant. We all agree upon selective immigration. that no one should enter without good morals and good healththe selective immigration. act of 1917 covers this. Henning further says: Originally the Immigrants who settled this country came from northern and western Europe and were a stable. wholesome class of people. In recent years the greatest influx has been from southern and eastern Europe and has consisted in the main of a far lesser element. This bill proposes to go back to 1890 for its census figures. The obvious purpose. therefore. Is to shut off Immigration from other parts of Europe than the north and west. It is at this point of the bill that one sees .the recrudescence of prejudice and hatred in the country. The question that has recurred to my mind again and again was shall America after 300 years of such glorious traditions continue to look upon Root.
Identified stereotypes
Immigrants from northern and western Europe are a stable, wholesome class of people, while those from southern and eastern Europe are a far lesser element.