Speech #590092336

I have here a statement coming from one of our officials. Mr. Braun. who was sent abroad by our own Government a short time ago to investigate questions growing out of imnigration to this country and to report the conditions In foreign countries with reference to emigration to America. to aid us in the enactment of suitable and wise laws and regulations. to the effect that*In several of the European countries it is the custom to promise convicted criminals immunity from punishment if they will immigrate to this country or if their relatives will send them there. I know the Senator from Vermont . who has this bill in charge. cited statistics yesterday to show that a large per centsomething over 90 per cent. I believeof the immigration that comes here comes with a definite location in view. That may be true. Mr. President. but if you take the statistics you will find that 65.3 per cent of them last year came here with the definite purpose of settling in the State of New York. which meant to them the city of New York. or in the State of Pennsylvania. which meant to them the cities of Pittsburg or Philadelphia. or in Massachusetts. which meant to them the city of Boston. or Illinois. which meant to them Chicago. for the ignorant portion of these immigrants. and many of them not altogether ignorant. come here without having heard of any part of the United States except a few of its great cities. When they land and are asked as to their destination. having heard only of New York where friends who have preceded them are. they answer giving their destination as New York. or those who have only heard of Boston through their friends or kinspeople say they are going to Boston. those whose friends are in Philadelphia say they are going to Philadelphia. That is all that it means.