Speech #610081786

It is the way all or nearly -al1 of our appropriations are made. It is the way that all of our appropriations ought to be made. except when made for a specific or fixed sum. like the payment of the interest on the public debt or something of that kind. In this proposed bill. referring to the fees. it says: Such amount as may be necessary to pay the additional clerical assistance herein provided is hereby permanently appropriated from any naturalization fees collected by said clerk and deposited in the Treasury of the United States. Therefore. when this act passes. if it does pass. we turn over the matter of the expenditure of the fees collected under naturalization laws to the Department of Commerce and Labor and to the clerks who are employed in the various courts and engaged in the administration of this law. We no longer have any control. we no longer have any say as to what the salaries of these people thus employed shall be. and I submit. therefore. that that is not good legislation nor does it tend to good administration. Our experience under the administration of every permanent appropriation which has been made shows that it does not tend to good administration. and it is not. therefore. good legislation. I submit. Mr. Chairman. in view of the fact that there is ample appropriation for this service during the current year. in view of the fact that the Department of Commerce and Labor has submitted their estimates for the next fiscal year for this same service. and In view of the fact that thiS bill proposes a permanent appropriation of all the fees collected by the clerks in the administration of this naturalization law for this service. If in the judgment of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor It is necessary. that this bill ought not to become a law. It is unnecessary and ought to be voted down.