Speech #610087114

Mr. Chairman. the question of immigration. it seems. is one which is more talked about and less generally understood than almost any other question confronting us. and that was the reason. no doubt. why Congress ordered this investigation and why this commission was appointed. There are a few questions about which we are all in doubt. We know that we can not discriminate against races and that we ought not to do so. We know that we can not discrimiatae against nationalities without conflicting with the doctrines of International law. Hence the proposition was made to have an educational test. and the question with us was whether that was the proper way to restrict immigration. I for one do not believe in an educational test. because it is no test of character. I am in favor of admitting producers into this country. and I am in favor of excluding all classes which live on the producers or prey on them. Tile producing classes of this c6untry are growing less and less. comparatively speaking. as shown by the high prices of food products. In other words. production is not keeping step with population. and consequently I for one believe that the immigration question at this time is no longer a burning issue. because all those who come to us. as long as they are physically healthy and strong. will be producers. a class that we.need in this country. That was one of the questions that was to be determined by that commission. . Another question is the one raised by my friend from New York. as to whether it will be wise to have a law by which certificates shall be required from immigrants before they leave their own country. That sounds well. and on the face of it would be a most excellent proposition. but when you investigate it you will find that the very best and strongest material from Europe. welcome to us as producers. would probably be excluded under such a system. for the reason that no young man in Europe who Is subject to military duty could ever go to a court for a certificate of character or any other certificate. because. the. momnet -he made application for such a document his intention to emigrate would become known to the government and the government would hold him. That is the reason why these consular certificates were rejected by former committees and by former Congresses. These were two points we expected that commission to investigate. I do not know whether they will shed any light in that report on those questions or not. but I do think that their expenses have certainly been extravagant. I remember the time. some ten or twelve years ago. when I had the honor to be chairman of the Committee on Immigration. that we had an investigation along these lines. We went to New York and took testimony. made a report to Congress. and that investigation. if I rememberright. did not cost more than. possibly. $2.000 or $2.200I do not remember the exact amount. Now.