Mental Tests for Prospective Immigrants in Poland Cannot Be Abolished Now

Further Study Necessary, Officers Report to U. S. Health Service (Jewish Daily Bulletin)

An extended study of the conditions existing in Poland will be made by the representatives of the United States Public Health Service before a recommendation will be made on changes in the mental tests which are given to applicants for immigration visas, Surgeon-General Cumming of the Federal Public Health Service informed the Washington bureau of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid and Sheltering Society, which had made representations to the Surgeon General against the mental tests applied to Jewish applicants.

In his communication the Surgeon-General stated:

“A preliminary report has recently been received from the two officers detailed to undertake these studies. These officers are psychiatrists of recognized reputation in the United States and were especially selected therefore to make these studies. The preliminary report recommends the adoption of a rather extended study of the conditions existing in Poland, which would appear to be possibly different from those obtaining in the other countries in which the mental examination of intending immigrants is being conducted abroad.

“This recommendation has been favorably acted upon and this program of conducting further studies has been adopted. These studies have already been started.

“While it is regretted that such a course of procedure does not meet your request for immediate relief of the conditions stated to exist, nevertheless, the preliminary report does not indicate that any other course would be advisable. You may be assured that this Service is doing everything that can be done to accord intending immigrants all possible consideration under the limitations imposed by the laws and regulations governing their medical examination.”