WHITE OPPOSED FOR IMMIGRATION POST

State Senator's Introduction Into Legislature of Anti-Japanese Bill May Cost Him Federal Position.

By M.M. MATTISON.

Because Henry M. White, Democratic state senator from Bellingham, introduced a resolution in the last session of the Legislature which was aimed at Japanese immigration and settlement in this country, he may lose the appointment as United States commissioner of immigration, for which he has been endorsed by the Democratic "organization."

Formal protest against the White appointment has been made by the five Japanese associations on this Coast and their representations are before both the secretary of state and the secretary of labor. Further representations that White should not be named either have been or will be made directly to the President by Western commercial organizations.

The protest against White is not made as an argument for or against the Japanese immigration, but on the ground that an applicant who has gone on record against one class of immigrants cannot act impartially on their requests for admittance to this country.

Because of the California agitation and the apparent intention of the federal government to deal cautiously with the Japanese situation, politicians insist that White's candidacy will not be received with favor at Washington. He was president of the Woodrow Wilson organization in this state and but for the Japanese incident was regarded by politicians as a formidable candidate.

White has on record a statement that he introduced the resolution at Lieut.-Gov. Louis F. Hart's request, but while the lieutenant-governor admits he handed White the resolution, he declares that the Bellingham solon gladly stood sponsor for it. Other correspondence of White either has been or will be immediately laid before the President.

Prince Not Vacant Yet.

The appointment is not due now, in any event, for Ellis De Bruler, who was appointed at Congressman Will E. Humphrey's request when the position was created, will be allowed to serve out his term. The record for the appointment, however, is being made up now.

It is reported that White has insisted that he has the appointment in his pocket and that the protests of the Japanese might react upon them. A showing to this effect also is being made to national authorities.

Robert W. McClelland, a Seattle attorney, is being given first place in the fight against White. McClelland once was a Democratic nominee for judge of the superior court and was a hard campaigner during the last contest. He has discussed the appointment with members of the cabinet and his friends are working hard for him.

The King County Democratic committee has indorsed McClelland, but except in postoffice appointments in the smaller towns of the county, the committee is not making a choice between Democratic appointment-seekers whose party record is clear. J.C. Whitlock, of Seattle, also is a candidate for the job.

Ignore State Committee.

Practically all the postoffice endorsements in this county have been made by the Bourbon county organization and they have been sent direct to the postmaster-general. The committee, in each instance, has only endorsed one candidate and insists that it should be sole judge in these fights. The chairman of the state committee and national committeemen were invited to endorse the county committee's action, but the county organization took no chances of having its slate sidetracked by committing it to the care of either the state chairman or national committeeman. Instead, the recommendations were sent over their heads.

On other jobs, however, the county committee is not attempting to make a selection, and that is the reason the county organization is not mixing in the fight for commissioner of immigration. There is no assurance that the job will be given to Seattle, though McClelland's friends insist that he is the logical candidate in the event White is ruled out.