Morning Register Des Moines, Iowa
to attain this objective without impairing the permanent structure of the immigration laws.-Earl G. Harrison, chairman, Citizens Committtee on Displaced Persons, 147 St., New York
". . will contribute used citizenship in the new lands where they can be located.---*
A Plea for Refugees
Entry of 400,000 in U. S. Favored.
To the Open Forum Editor:
More than 850,000 men, women and children are still living in detention camps in Europe! They need help and now!
They are the displaced persons who suffered barbaric treatment from the Nazis. The*aftermaths of war, hatred of tyranny in any form-a wide variety of causes-make it impossible for these people to return to their original homes.
Some 80 per cent are Christians; about 20 per cent are Jews. Many are agriculturalists. They will not become public charges nor will they strain housing or other resources in the countries to which they may go. Instead, they will contribute useful citizenship in the new lands where they can be located.
LEGISLATION REQUESTED.
The International Refugee Organization has been formed within the framework of the United Nations. But it is in no position to offer any immediate aid to these stricken people.
In the name of humanity, in the name of the leadership role of the United States in the world, this country must march in the van by admit^ ting a fair share of these displaced persons. If the United States acts, its j example will compel other nations to ! follow and these pitiful survivors of ! Hitler-terror will find permanent j haven at an early date.
Recognizing this country's obligation to humanity and to its own prestige and dignity among nations, President Truman has called for
emergency legislation so that a fair share of the displaced person's of Europe may enter the United States.
BIGGER THAN POLITICS.
The problem transcends politics. It is one whose solution demands action that comes from the heart and the "head.
It is for this reasons that the Citizens Committee on Displaced Persons has been created with the support of Catholics, Protestants and Jews, people from all ranks of labor and industry, leaders in all walks of life.
The sponsors of the Citizens Committee believe that this, the richest nation on earth can over a period of a few years absorb up to 400,000 war victims. This number would cover a portion of the quota that was unused during the past few years. It is worth noting that during the war years, 1942-1945, only 7 per cent of the world quota was used. In order to make the unusuad quota available to the displaced persons, emergency legislation is required.
APPROVAL GIVEN.
Some of the groups and organizations which have gone on record as favoring the admission to the United States of our fair share of Europe^ displaced persons are: The Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, the National Catholic Welfare Council, major Jewish national membership organizations, the American Federation of Labor, the Congress of Industrial Organizations, the National Conference of Union Labor Legionnaires, the United Council of American Veteran Organizations and many other civic, educational and religious groups.
The Citizens Committee on Displaced Persons will bend every effort
