Speech #600089330

Mr. Speaker. as has been stated by gentlemen who have preceded me. section 42 of the bill passed by the last Congress provided for certain regulation of steerage passengers. It provided for larger air space in the steerage compartments. so that this class of passengers would not be obliged to put up with the small and incommodious compartments which are now provided for them. Under this act. passed by the last Congress. the steamship companies were given to January 1. 1909. to comply with the new regulations. but instead of making preparation to comply with the provisions of this law. they come in here with crocodile tears in their eyes. as is customary with all these "poor and oppressed corporations" when they are required to do something which will tend to give the people some relief from their abuses. and ask the repeal or change of this section. for no other reason than that it may mean an expenditure of a few thousand dollars and reduce by a few pennies the large dividends they have for years declared. and that at the expense of the limbs. health. and lives of thousands of unfortunate men. women. and children. No one else but these heartless and greedy steamship companies are demanding the passage of this bill in lieu of the act which is to go in force January next. The only argument that they can make against section 42. which is so obnoxious to them. is that it will prevent the use of all the space and would reduce the carrying capacity about 25 per cent. It is on this theory that the steamship companies have been able to enlist the misguided " liberal " immigration advocates. who have not looked carefully into the situation and its attendant evils. and are made unwilling tools of these companies. I presume that nearly every one in this House is fully aware that I am not opposed to liberal immigration. and if I thought that section 42 was enacted for the purpose of restricting or imposing any special hardship on these unfortunate people who. on account of persecutions are seeking our hospitable shores. I would be the last man in the world to oppose the repeal of this section. But. Mr. Speaker. I firmly believe that this section has been enacted from a purely humanitarian standpoint. so as to put an end to the shameful. inhuman. yes. brutal treatment. to which the steerage passengers are subjected. For this reason I am opposed and sincerely believe every Member of this House will be opposed to the passage of this bill. The fact that the steamship companies have been misleading and imposing upon the people of foreign countries by deceptive methods. such as flaring literature and glib agents. instilling into these unsuspecting people great hopes for riches. does not signify that they should also endeavor to employ these despicable methods in this House.