NOVEMBER 1925 THE UNITED AMERICAN children? (They have in each of several hundred families of those so affected in the solon’s own state, I from one and two to six, eight and ten American born [children.) Do you mean, indirectly, to suggest that these young native Americans (several times the number of their alien parents) be forced to leave their native country here, and be, in a sense, deported to a foreign country. Is that it?” The Solon: “Why, the children don’t have tjo leave because the parents go.” The Editor: “Well, as this is not Russia, where the state claims priority rights over the children of the nation, your suggestion would not be practicable inasmuch as the American state has not abolished the home in favor of state incubators and child-rearing factories. America, you know, stands committed to the institution of the home. The principle that the child belongs to the parents until it becomes of age, has generally been held inviolate and up to the present time considered a mighty sound American doctrine.” The Solon: “Well, I am not willing to do anything fQr them.” The Editor: “Don’t you feel that at least these young native Americans have a just claim, which no fair compatriot can consistently turn down ?” The Solon: “That may be so, but it does not alter the fact that their parents are aliens and we certainly didn’t invite them to come over here.” The Editor: “Your parents, or your grandparents, were aliens. Using your tool of reason and presuming that no one invited them to come over here, doesn’t it appear that there is a flaw in your own title and rights as an American?” The Solon: “I am an American. I was born here. I have my rights. I can’t alter the things that have taken place before me.” The Editor: “The minors, now under discussion— nation born American children, of foreign bom parents —are with you in the same boat. Neither can they help that their parents were born in a foreign land. The fact remains that these white aliens, eligible to citizenship, are the protectors, under the American home-code, of these growing American children who are only asking you to be fair to them and not interfere with their rights, the rights of every American child, that its parents be given every fair chance to offer it proper protection and equal advantages.” The Solon was clearly in a corner. Unwilling to admit the logic of the editor’s argument and looking for an opportunity to get away, he stuttered: Excuse me, there is a man I want to see,” and bolted away, scratching his head as he strode down the hotel lobby to join some men in conversation in a far corner of the spacious room. A SADLY NEEDED CHANGE 'THE NEW immigration quota law is slated to be- 1 come the target for much oratory in the next Congress, according to promises made by congressmen and senators whose constituencies are clamoring for more public discussion anent this measure, or rather anent the inequality phases that are outstanding features of the law. Congressman Albert Johnson from Washington, Fage Eleven chairman of the House Immigration Committee, who is generally considered the father of the present two per cent quota law, is evidently not so sure of the justice of the law, in some respects, for he is quoted in press notices as having said in a speech before the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, on Tuesday the twenty-sixth of November, that while he is opposed to any other change in the law, he favors a modification clause to permit “admission of the wives and minor children of men already in this country.” Much injustice has been done, and outright mischief through this law in this particular respect. To under­ stand how this phase of the law resulted in such in­ justice it should be borne in mind that thousands of men with families are leaving the old countries and their loved ones behind — now as always throughout the history of immigration — to seek the greater op­ portunities they have heard of in America. The plan is for the father to find work, send a little money every month to help in the support of the family, left to a faithful wife to care for until the husband and father has been able to save up enough for tickets for those left behind, and something for just a little home, to begin with, when the family shall arrive. Of all the joy collected by human beings in America in all the country’s history, there is no joy that can match the joy of a reunited immigrant family after years of struggle, the husband and father laboring alone over here saving and planning, banking his entire pay-check every month, save a few dollars for his own board and lodging, and the regular monthly allowance for wife and children accompanied by letters of cheer, the wife keep­ ing up the courage under difficulties, saving and work­ ing, hoping for the happy day to come when, the tickets shall arrive from dad in America. Then the intense moments — the tickets — the good-bye to the old home­ land— the long ocean journey — the landing in Amer­ ica — the arrival at the little railroad station, where dad is waiting — the reunion and, at last, the family at ease in the little humble harbor called home, created through love and prayers. If anyone can draw a picture depicting a more complete background for joy, then there is something yet undiscovered in Ameriea. Since the lowering of the quota on immigration, al­ most totally excluding some nationalities, the hopes of struggling aliens, trying to provide an American home for their loved ones, have been shattered, because they could not expect, perhaps for their natural lives, to get their families to America, as no provision was made with a view to meting out justice to those people. Incidentally the Naturalization examiners, in most districts, will not admit to citizenship an alien with a family in the old country. If such is the case he is told: “Bring your family over here, then come back again.” Were he a citizen, he could claim his family and obtain admission for them into this country, outside of the quota. Such is the law. To anyone, even one not familiar with anything pertaining to immigrant life, such laws appear to be more of a farce than anything intelligent American law-makers should want to stand responsible for. It is indeed gratifying to know that this vital con­ cession to the aliens in America, with families in the old countries who are waiting for tickets to come, is to