Speech #580034263

The main proposition is simply this: We can not lay down laws which would show discrimination in favor of one nation against another. Such legislation might be regarded as a violation of international comity and would be likely to elicit protests from the nations discriminated against. In my bill I have suggested the idea that immigration be limited to 80.000 souls from any one nation in any one fiscal year. The practical result of such a provision would be that it would affect only three countries. because no other country comes within that limitation by many thousands. AustriaHungary last year sent 206.011 immigrants to this country. Italy sent 230.622. and Russia sent 136.003. I will insert in my remarks the whole table of statistics on this subject. without wearying the House with them just now. I will state in brief that those are the only three nations that sent to our shores more than 40.000 immigrants per annum. up to last year. which was the maximum year of immigration to this country. So the enactment of this measure would simply mean that immigration from those three countries of Southern Europe would be very materially cut down. while the door would be left open to the countries whose people we wantnot only allowing them to come in as they do now. but to increase their immigratiob very materially. The effect of this bill cuts down immigration about 800.000.