MENTALLY DEFICIENT IMMIGRANTS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 179, 23 April 1924, Page 7

MENTALLY DEFICIENT IMMIGRANTS

4 ADMITTED TO UNITED STATES INSUFFICIENT MEDICAL EXAMINERS (Rec. April 22, 7.25 p.m.) New York, April 21, Dr Spencer Dawes, of the State Hospital Commission, addressing a convention of therapeutists, made the charge that insufficient medical examiners and assistants, due to the in* sufficient appropriations of Congress, has resulted in the entrance annually of many thousands of insane or mentally deficient immigrants through Ellis Island. The doctor asserted that the situation had reached such a shocking extent that immediate medical measures were absolutely essential. New York State, which bears the burden of the incoming immigrants on Ellis Island, has 41,000 insane persons lodged, in State institutions built to accommodate 28,000, and a quarter of the inmates are aliens. Dr. Dawes said the medical examiners pass upon eight immigrants per minute, which is absolutely insufficient to determine many serious ailments, notably mental weaknesses. The United States Labour Department, moreover, in 1922 admitted 4800 i immigrants under bonds after the doctors had ordered deportation. Dr Dawes predicted that segregation will be the only solution if medically unregulated admittances continue. Otherwise New York State will be. overrun by morons and their offspring.— Aus.-I'T.Z. Cable Assn. THE IMMIGRATION BILL PRESIDENT WILL NOT VETO IT. Washington, April 21. It is reliably stated that President Coolidge, on the advice of his political will not veto the Immigration Bill, in spite of the Japanese exclusion feature, but will defer action ten days after the receipt of the Bill It will thus become law without his signature.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.