Mr. Chairman. it was especially gratifying to me this morning when this committee by a large majority refused to increase the head tax on immigrants coming to this country. Every thoughtful person. if only a noments consideration is given the subject. must reach the conclusion that to have increased the head tax would have barred the very people we are most anxious to have come to our country. It was in-. tended to exclude people who come from extreme south Italy and the Slovaks. these people who generally come singly. As a matter of fact. in its practical opekation it would bear most lcavily. as I have said. on the very class we should encourage to come. The Germans. the Swedes. the Danes. the Norwegians. the Bohemians. and the Irish usually bring large families. and as this head tax is levied on every member of tie family. young or old. you can readily see that its increase would not probably bar out the undesirable single person who wanted to enter. but would place a heavy burden on an immigrant with a numerous family. conceded by every one to be desirable. Mr. Chairman. I repeat that it is especially pleasing to me that this committeee by a substantial majority has placed the stamp of disapproval on that provision of this bill increasing the head tax. and in my opinion to have done otherwise. to have increased the charge upon worthy persons who are desirous of casting their lot with us in this free country. would have been a reflection on our powerful and rich Government. Mr. Chairman.
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immigrants head tax immigrant