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By J/ COB KIRCHENBAUM
Special Staff Writer
EL DICKSTEIN, the new Chairman
W ot the Congressional Immigration Com-
vJ nl j. ee , is himself an immigrant. Born near
\ ilna Russia, he was brought to this country at
•he age ot two. in 1885. He attended the public
. -hooTs ot New York, and also went to a Cheder
,, the East Side, where he received his Jewish
education. In 1908 he was graduated from the
\ew York Law School; since then he has prac
ticed law in New York City.
From 1911 to 1914 he held the post of special
deputy district attorney. Three years later he
was elected an Alderman. Next, from 1919 to
1022 he served in the lower house of the New
state Legislature. From the State Assem
bly he went to Congress, where he is now serving
hi s fifth term, representing the Twelfth Con
cessional District of New York. For some time
h e has been a member of the House Immigration
Committee, of which Congressman Johnson was
Chairman until recently; as a member of this
Committee, Mr. Dickstein frequently attacked the
stringent immigration laws now prevailing. On
manv occasions he won universal admiration for
his courage and sincerity in opposing himself to
the majority, which consisted of avowed opponents
nf free immigration. Hence the recent selection of
Samuel Dickstein as Chairman of the House Im
migration Committee was received with great de
light in pro-immigration circles.
At a time when the gates of America are sealed
almost hermetically against the alien even a Chair
man of the House Immigration Committee can
accomplish little; but Congressman Dickstein will,
Hu
manizing Immigration
An Exclusive Interview with Samuel Dickstein,
The New Chairman of the Congressional
Immigration Committee in Washington
Freedom at Last
ms of the delicate tact and diplomatic skill
distinguish him, be able to do much toward
simplifying and, perhaps, even abolishing the “red-
A 'tern that has insinuated itself so deeply
r methods. True, the current terrible de-
P c'sion has made America a stronghold of reac-
tlo n, >o that it would be virtually impossible to
demand any radical modification of the immigra
tes. But Dickstein may be able to cause the
z restriction to be made more lenient. He
irely be able to cool the ardor of the so-
restrictionists,” who are doing their utmost
row the gateway of immigrants.
e first session of the Committee Mr. Dick-
leveloped his program and assured his col-
who include twelve Democrats, nine Re-
publi
has r
that
the c
diti.
\VO I
ns and one delegate from Hawaii—that he
intention of forcing his views upon them,
understands the situation now prevailing in
otrv and in his attitude takes existing con-
into account. None the less, he said, he
1° all in his power to protect the interests
* Syrian Snmu, l Dnkstein, whose selection as Chairman of the Congressional Immigration
.om nut ter in It ashinyton places a former immigrant hoy in the position to guide the policy
immigration to t it l nited States, tells in this exclusive interview his vines on the problems
that will confront him.
of immigrants. I o your reporter Congressman
Dicksteon declared: "I shall support the ‘restrict-
ionists’ in their fight for the deportation of alien
criminals, but I shall not permit and hasty measures
and shall always champion well-meaning and
honest immigrants who seek to live in this coun
try and work or carry on business here.
“I am opposed to smuggling of every sort, and
as Chairman of the Immigration Committee shall
do my utmost to cause the deportation of aliens
who deal in forbidden chemicals or poisons or who
are engaged in the smuggling of foreigners into
America. I am opposed to criminals, no matter
who they are or where they may he.
“But my program is not limited to the finding
of malefactors. I have worked out a plan in
accordance with which I shall work for the benefit
of immigrants now in the coun
try, no matter who they arc or
what their politics. However, I
shall always bear in mind, the
interests of organized labor as
I promised President Green of
the American Federation of
Labor. In such difficult times as
these we must proceed cautious
ly, must calculate very carefully
whether it would pay to fight
for free immigration at present.
“But the reunion of separated
families would be in the best in
terests of the country. It is for
this reason that I am proposing
an immigration bill that will do
away with those family trag
edies now caused by the quota.
My bill has the purpose of
bringing together husbands and
wives separated by the quota
law. The existing immigration
laws are too complicated, and
bring dreadful chaos into the
lives of hundreds of families.” Congressman
Dickstein hopes that as Chairman of the Mouse
Immigration Committee he will be able to ac
complish much toward humanizing those immi
gration laws which hinder the social progress of
immigrant families at every step. At present, of
course, anv detailed discussion of what Mr. Dick
stein will be able to do for immigrants would be
premature; for he has just assumed Ins office Bu
he is experienced in legal procedure and politics
practice, so that important achievements may well
be expected of him in his new office.
Although the gates of immigration are closed
wavs and means for getting into America still
exist; and the more obstinate among the foes of
immigration are proposing to make the laws gov
erning it more drastic. For example, temporary
visitors, who formerly used to get extensions
of their permit to stay here quite easily, now meet
with great difficulties when they seek permission
to stav longer than their allotted time. I he Sec
retary of Labor, Mr. (Please tarn to page 16)
New York’s East Side, H'here Immigration Problems
Continue
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