Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

final hearing was to be in Washington the follow- ing day, and requesting that I come over in person, since I had been mentioned as having originally signed the affidavits for the visaes. But there was not sufficient time for me to reach Washington before the final hearing, so I secured the good offices of our Congressman Hoch to wire in to the department, that unless they could decide favor- ably the case should be postponed until we could arrive to present additional argument. The case was postponed. It was decided at our committee meeting at Philadel- phia a few days later, that the Brethren Hiebert and O. PERSONNEL OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE 333 Miller should go to Washington and continue negotia- tions in the hope of final success. With the assistance of legal advisers and the inter- cession of several Congressmen, among whom should be mentioned particularly McLaughlin of Nebraska and Hoch of Kansas, our case was presented to the assistant secre- tary of Labor, Mr. Risley. Even though Mr. Risley from the beginning showed a sympathetic attitude of mind, he steadfastly held that our dealings had been in violation of the Contract Labor Law and that he could not see any way as yet of granting these men admittance. In the final hearing we presented the argument that we had acted entirely in good faith following the advice of the Department of State, also stating that the Depart- ment of Justice had been consulted and acquainted with our work. Neither of the officials had in any way criti- cized our mode of procedure in trying to help these stranded brethren; even if we conceded that there was an apparent transgression against the letter of the law, this had not been intentional nor had it occurred secretly but with the full knowledge of the two above named depart- ments; and further, that the spirit of the law was in no way interfered with, since there was in this case no thought of importing cheap labor. The only purpose had been to save human life, and at the same time bring into the United States young men, who promised to make desirable citizens of our great country. Our case was thereupon adjourned until the next day to afford officials additional time to study into the matter more thoroughly. The next morning we were put off again till the day after, when we should appear. The final solution was discovered by our attorney in a section of the law which reads as follows: ‘The Secretary of Labor may upon his discretion admit aliens into this country for six months periods if a $500.00 bond is put up by each as 384 FEEDING THE HUNGRY guarantee for his appearance, or report to the proper officials at the end of the six months.” On the merits of this law we were informed the day after, that the young men would be admitted provided the above named bond could be put up for each. Through the good will and prompt action of the Brethren Mumaw, O. Miller, Kratz and others, arrange- ments