That said, I think it's worth pointing out that in 1914, the means to travel didn't exist as it does today. We've given up some freedom but made gains on capability.
But the artificial barriers we've put up are much more restrictive than the old barriers. Perhaps we should make an immigration tax, and anyone can enter if they are willing to pay $10,000. Or some arbitrarily high, but feasible, amount.
These are called investors' visas, and already exist, though the prices are much steeper: $1 million investment in a new business for an American EB-5; 2 million pounds for the British equivalent. Payment doesn't go directly to the government; instead, it's supposed to be invested in a new business that creates at least ten jobs. But there are middlemen who offer the service of actually setting up and managing the business: http://fortune.com/2014/07/24/immigration-eb-5-visa-for-sale...
