AVOIDS DELAY IN GETTING BOND FOR RENTED VEHICLE

U.S. CONGRESSMAN BUYS TAXI SO HE CAN GET TO TRAIN CONNECTION IN CANADA

Vancouver, British Columbia (JFK+50) On November 15, 1924, the Associated Press reports that last evening Representative Albert Johnson* of Washington State "stepped into a taxicab at Seattle...and directed the driver to speed over the international boundary to Vancouver."  

The congressman had only one hour to make connection with a train bound for Montreal.

Unfortunately, customs officials would not allow the taxi to pass unless a bond was acquired necessary for a "rented machine."

Apparently, without hesitation, Mr. Johnson bought the cab "on the spot."  While it cost him $2000, as owner of the vehicle the congressman was allowed to pass into Canada without the bond.

The representative must have surely had an important engagement in Montreal.

*Albert Johnson (1869-1957) was born in Springfield, Illinois & became a newspaperman & editor of The Washington Post.  AJ served in the US House of Representatives (R-Washington) 1913-1933.  He was the main author of the Immigration Act of 1924.

SOURCE

"Member of House Buys $2000 Taxi To Speed to Train," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 15, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Honorable Representative Albert Johnson

R-Washington

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress

"LEAVE AN OPENING FOR IMMEDIATE RELATIVES"

PROPOSAL TO CUT IMMIGRATION TO MINIMUM TO BE INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 23, 1922, Chairman Albert Johnson* of the Immigration Committee of  the United States House of Representatives advocated the "tightening of the immigration restriction act to the extent of almost complete suspension."

While "the country seems to want complete suspension of immigration," the Chairman says "we should leave an opening for the admission of immediate relatives."

A measure will be introduced in December which, if enacted, would reduce from two to one-half percent of admissibles from countries entitled to large quotas.

There will also be a provision to admit families as units which would eliminate 90% of "distress cases at...principal ports."

*Albert Johnson (1869-1957) was born in Springfield, Illinois & served in the Chemical Warfare Service during WWI.  AJ was a news editor & publisher before serving in the U.S. House of Representatives 1913-1933.  He attempted to limit Japanese immigration to the U.S.

JFK+50 NOTE

Senator John F. Kennedy wrote "A Nation of Immigrants" in 1958 & put it into book form in 1963, published after his death (1964).  Matt Porter says it "confronts discrimination and waves of nativism and bigotry new immigrants faced."  President Kennedy opposed the national origins quota system and advocated an"update" in national immigration laws.  

SOURCES

"JFK and A Nation of Immigrants," JFK35 Podcast, narrated by Matt Porter, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, www.jfklibrary.org/

"Plans to Cut Alien Influx To Minimum," The New York Tribune, September 24, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Congressman Albert Johnson

(R-Washington)

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress