Speech #510161781

This bill is the unfinished business. and in the most favorable position possible for a bill to occupy for early consideration at the next session of Congress. and I should hope that it would. with the other laborbills. receive attention ata very early period in the coming session. These bills reached the Senate very late in the session from the House of Representatives. and they have been pressed here in committee and I think in the Senate with as much of assiduity as has characterized the progress of any other legislation whatever. I may say with reference to the alien contractlabor bill. which was considered for a time and amended in very important particulars in the Senate. that I declined. as a friend of the measure. to press it further at the present time because I thought it in such a condition (and made so by emphatic votes of the Senate) that if it became a law it would be less efficient for the purpose designed than that now existing. and further. that there is in the other House. and I think also in the Senate. a measure in charge of the Joint Committee upon Immigration that is being matured. which in my judgment. if it should become a law. as it is very likely may be the case at the ensuing session. will be more stringent and effective for accomplishing thepurpose designed by those who are friendly to and support the alien contractlabor bill than that measure ilself. RECESS.