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University Daily Kansan
Monday, Feb. 23, 1953
Revision Needed On McCarran Act
Foreigners are finding it extremely difficult to leave the Old World in search of happiness and prosperity in the United States. The McCarran Immigration act, which sharply reduces the number and types of immigrants that may enter the United States, has caused this.
The act is not revolutionary because it incorporates the main ideas that characterized the original U.S. immigration law passed in 1924.
The formula that was drawn up then expressed two policies: 1.Waves of new immigrants, chiefly those from southern and eastern Europe, should be cut drastically.
2. The United States population pattern should not be changed greatly. To accomplish this goal, quotas were fixed in proportion to the number of people of each nationality who were already in the United States in 1920.
Under the revised act, top priority is given to immigrants with special skills that are needed in American industry and to relatives of American citizens. Those who do not fall into this category have a slim, if not impossible, chance of entering the United States.
Specifically, the attorney general decides if skilled workers, such as technicians, doctors, or scientists, are needed in this country. The immigrant must carry with him a statement from the United States Employment service saying there are not enough qualified people available in this country to perform certain types of technical work.
In addition, the immigrant must be sponsored by an individual, firm, or business that will employ the man. After these persons are picked, along with relatives of U.S. citizens, the remainder of the quotas then are filled.
The McCarran act has created a storm of controversy in several quarters, since many think the law is discriminatory. But congressional leaders have pointed out that the act is practical, if not, perhaps democratic, for several reasons.
One of their points is that the United States is filling up. Our population is increasing at a rapid rate without big waves of immigrants. In the past, most immigrants took laboring jobs in the United States, but at present, a big stockpile of laborers is not needed.
Furthermore, many congressmen feel that a good mixture of people already exists in the United States and that there is no need to change the present population pattern.
Finally, it is argued that other nations should do more to take in people from crowded Europe, as well as from other parts of the world. It is pointed out that Canada, Africa, and South America are in the pioneering stage and would have ample room for new peoples to move in.
This last feeling might seem to foreigners that the United States is trying to shove immigrants off onto other nations. However, it seems logical that the United States need not be the only mecca in the world in the eyes of foreign people. There is no reason why the above-mentioned nations could not assimilate immigrants as effectively as the United States.
Public pressure may result in a rewriting of the McCarran act if opposition to the act continues. The act probably seems to be rather ruthless to non-U.S. citizens, who must think that this nation no longer is interested in affording others the opportunity to enjoy the advantages of the American way of life.
The McCarran act easily could become an explosive issue for the Eisenhower administration. It will be interesting to see just what changes may come about in the law itself and of the reactions of foreign governments. Chuck Morelock
A recent news story tells of a woman who for seven years has been sleeping on street cars, keeping her worldly possessions in a warehouse, and making a living on the streets of Chicago selling hair nets and other notions.
The amazing thing about her story is that, until she was struck by a motor car Jan. 16 and taken to the county hospital for treatment of a broken leg, she has been a self-supporting individual, meeting her expenses with money from the sale of notions and an occasional withdrawal from an $8,000 savings account.
There will undoubtedly be those in the Windy city who will attempt to discourage Mrs. Anna Cox. They will take steps to prevent her nightly sojourn on the street car, although she pays the full fare, and they will attempt to take away her source of livelihood because she does not have a city license to sell her notions.
Stop and reflect a minute; here is one woman in several thousand, perhaps a million, who does not believe that the world owes her a living, that the governmental structures in this nation are welfare Santa Clauses, and that because she is a woman or because she is frugal, she should reap, gratis, the fruits of someone else's labors.
Mrs. Cox may not be making much of a contribution to society, but at least she is not a leech upon it as are so many U.S. citizens on our welfare rolls today. And as for sleeping on street cars, how many of those who will walk down the street lives taken a little nap on a public conveyance—if indeed they would lower themselves to riding on a streetcar?
What is the harm in making one's living honestly? Let Mrs. Cox be!
POGO
Jim Baird
Comments
Reports of like's first press conference undoubtedly will make a good impression on the electorate. They like to see a man serious about his business, and running the government is about as serious a business as there is.
This situation combined with his decision to support the UN policy in resisting Communist aggression in Korea, made him no longer a friend of the Russians. He had been a compromise candidate in 1946 with the Big 5 powers; but he was enthusiastically supported by the Russians.
This friendly attitude by the Russians became decidedly cool after Mr. Lie's term of office was extended to 1954. They very obviously snubbed him by directing all of their communication to the Secretariat.
In November, 1552 Mr. Lie submitted his long-planned resignation to the General Assembly. He said he feared that he himself had become a road-block in better relations between the east and west powers.
Will the Rosenbergs be executed or won't they? Tune in again March 30 to see what action has been taken.
The trouble all began with the personnel policy of the UN. Mr. Lie was thoroughly convinced that he alone had the authority to decide personnel questions, and other members of the UN family were convinced he did not have the authority.
Little Man on Campus by Dick Bibler
But Mr. Lie has not yet left his position, he is still drawing his $20,000 tax-free salary, still living in his furnished home, and still using his $20,000 expense fund—and very deservedly.
"No, I am not studying it—I use it to go to sleep by."
UN Members Positive Of Trygve Lie's Merit
It is generally thought that Norway's Trygve Lie may stay on as Secretary-General of the United Nations. The British are definitely in favor of taking no action on his resignation and UN sentiment tends to agree.
Mary Cooper
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New War Threat Seen In Hong Kong Issue*
The small colony of Hong Kong, China, has been a big issue since the beginning of the Korean outbreak. With the communists controlling virtually all of China, Hong Kong's position in the Far East is an important factor to the UN forces.
The British-controlled colony encompasses only 390 square miles of land and water. It is strategically located about 90 miles downstream from Canton and just off the mouth of the Pearl river.
The Hong Kong island, from which the name commonly used for the whole territory is derived, lies a mile off the tip of Kowloon peninsula, and together with the indented shore of Kowloon forms the harbor that is the foundation of the colony's existence. The mainland of Hong Kong is also centered around a magnificent port. Ninety per cent of Hong Kong's 2 million inhabitants live in this area.
It is estimated that of Hong Kong's population not more than 50,000 count the colony as their permanent home. The population has swollen because of refugees from Red China.
The colony today is more than Chinese or British—it has become international—and to protect it from Red aggression is an international problem.
Up to now the only communist aggression in Hong Kong has been by sudden outbreaks and riots stimulated by members of the communist party. A communist attack could mean a major conflict, and the communists would rather take the colony by other means. International disturbances, strikes, assassinations, boycotts, riots, and propaganda seem to be a better weapon than invasion.
The last important stand for the UN forces in China is Hong Kong, and for this reason it must be protected from communist control. —Velma Gaston