Speech #590057688

I sympathize. like the gentleman from Ohio. with every effort to eliminate hyphenation of terms in this country. but the term " GermanAmerican " is not meant in a political sense. because all these men are thorough Americans. It is meant more in an ethnological sense. They are simply speaking that language which will enable them to be of assistance and aid to the immigrants coming to this country from Germany. I want to say. Mr. Speaker. that as far as immigration is concerned. I regret very much that immigration from Germany has dwindled to almost nothing. About ten years ago we had from 180.000 to 200.000 Germans coming to this country every year. and I believe the Members of this House will bear me out when I say. modestly. that they are good citizens. and that they have contributed to what is best in the blood of this country. But of recent years this immigration has decreased considerably. until now there are only from 20.000 to 30.000 a year. But we are about to pass a bill changing the naturalization laws. That bill has in it a provision which obliges the applicant to read and write the English language. For the purpose of enabling him to do so. for the purpose of enabling the man who works from morning to night and has no chance to acquire knowledge of this kind. this organization proposes to establish night schools open to all and enabling all to become proficient in a knowledge of the English language. so that everything that appeals to us from the standpoint of good American citizenship is in favor of this bill. It intends to make Americans out of German immigrants. and to assimilate them with us quicker and more thoroughly.