Speech #620115381

ExPresident Roosevelt. Mr. President. in his various discussions of our national problems. has said that .with the possible exception :of the conservation of our natural resources immigration is our most important problem. While not altogether agreeing with this declaration of the exPresident. considered from the standpoint of social. political. and economic effect upon our people and our country. I do think immigration is at .least one of the most important .questions now confronting the American people. Until recently. from a lack of full statistical information on the subject of immigration. most of our discussions of that subject have been largely based upon conjdctures derived from the personal observation of individuals and inadequate official data and infornmation. That difficulty does not longer exist. The abundant data and statistical information collected by the Immigration Commission during its four years investigation. conducted not only i thin country.but in Europe. have supplied us with full and conclusive official information from which we may reach a reasonably accurate judgment with regard to the evils and the remedies. In my discussion today I shall not undertake to cover every important aspect of the immigration question. I shall confine myself almost entirely to a discussion of the.amendment. which I have just caused to beread from the Clerks desk. providing the educational test as a means of excluding undesirable immigrants. The educational or illiteracy test for the purpose of excluding objectionable foreigners is not a new proposition either in our public discussions or in our legislation. It has for many years been the subject of comment in the press of the country. It has received the indorsement of national party platforms. It has more than once been recommended in the messages of our Presidents. It has repeatedly been recommended by imnigration officials. who are thoroughly. acquainted with the needs of our immigration conditions. and it has .passed one or the other branch of Congress seven or eight times. In the Fiftyfourth Congress a proposition to apply an educational test passed both Houses. In the House the vote in favor of the bill was 195 to 20. .