Daily Digest of Public Opinion on Jewish Matters

[The purpose of the Digest is informative: Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval. –Editor.]

Support of the Wadsworth-Perhman bills for the humanizing of the present immigration laws on the ground of common humanity as well as America’s own interests, is urged by the New York "Times" of Feb. 6.

Using as the text of its editorial President Coolidge’s recent plea that "we should not be forgetful of the obligations of common humanity" toward the immigrants who are separated from their families, the "Times" observes:

"The clear and chief purpose of these (Wadsworth-Perhman) amendments, as stated by those sponsoring them, is to permit the reunion of families who have been separated as a result of the enactment of the new law of 1924, and also to hasten the reunion of families of immigrants who have come under the new law by giving lineal relatives preference within the existing quota. Moreover, it will make possible the return of veterans, estimated at several thousands, who are technically barred under the present law. The justice as well as the social wholesomeness of such provisions is beyond question. As Dr. Anthony of the Federal Council of Churches stated in a letter published yesterday, it is an in justice to two countries concerned to have the two fragments of a family separated when each is essential to the happiness and economy of the other. No essential change is sought in the quota law, under these proposed amendments. It is simply a humanizing of the present provisions and doing the patriotic thing by those of alien birth who gave their service to the United States as their country during the war. The Wadsworth-Perlman bill should have support for common humanity’s sake and that will be for America’s own good."

The argument that, aside from the issue of plain justice and moral obligation, America would profit economically by admitting the families of declarants, is put forward by the "Day" of Feb. 6.

"It is a question only of such families," the paper points out, "whose husbands have made their home here and through their first papers declared themselves publicly as future American citizens, assuming all the duties of the laws of the country.

"There is no reason why they should be prohibited from bringing over their wives and children, no reasen economic or moral.

"Such families would not be a cause of economic competition with Americans, because their husbands and fathers are here and would support them: on the other hand, the declarants here would no longer have to send millions of dollars across for the support of their families in Europe; moreover the children would certainly be Americanized much more quickly if brought here young instead of being kept in Europe several years until their fathers become citizens and acquire the right to bring them over regardless of the quota."

THE PROPOSED CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC ON MOUNT SCOPUS

The recent report that Jascha Heifetz is pursuing his work of cooperating with other noted Jewish musicians for the creation of a great conservatory of music in Palestine and that according to Heifetz $2,000,000 are now available for this purpose, is the subject of an editorial in the "Jewish Daily Eagle" of Montreal.

"The addition of this institution to the group of faculties that will eventually embellish Mount Scopus," we read "will contribute in a considerable measure to enriching the cultural life of Palestine. There will be no need for Jewish students and Jewish artists to leave Erez Israel in order to obtain a higher education in the sciences and arts, as they were compelled to do in the past. Its existence will facilitate the development of an art in which our people has always shown the greatest aptitude."