Speech #620267212

Mr. Chairman. permit me briefly to discuss the merits of this bill. It is needless to say that in dealingowith immigration we are dealing with a very grave subject. It means to interfere artificially with a natural phenomenon caused by an inherent instinct of humanitytheir migration. We are playing not with material interests or dollars but with soulsin fact. with human lives. One line in an immigration bill might affect the fate of thousands. and one word might change the life career of as many human beings. The question of immigration is one which. in my judgment. is more talked about and less understood than almost any other problem before the American people. As a rule people only see the surface without grasping its deeper significance. Its dark side is systematically paraded and its bright side hidden from view. When we have to deal with a sincere demand for restriction. based upon economical conditions. the problem is perhaps not so difficult to solve. but when. as is undoubtedly the case. a good part of the opposition to immigration is based upon what I believe to be innate prejudice. then the difficulties presented become insurmountable. because neither reason nor arguments will be of any avail. I am in favor of restricting immigration to the extent It is now restricted. I want to see excluded all the classes now mentioned in the laws. but I am opposed to further radical restriction. because I think that. under present conditions. particularly at this time. it is no longer the serious problem it was even a few years ago. Before I go into facts and figures to make good that statement. I want to lay down a few fundamental propositions: In the first place. we must remember that every immigrant is really a valuable addition to the capital of this country. Europe is paying the expense of raising and educating men and women. and then when they become old enough to pay back the outlay to European society these men and women emigrate to the United States to identify themselves with our institutions. to offer us their brain and brawn for the purpose of aiding us in building up our country. They must naturally be an asset to us. Another suggestion I should like to make to determine the value of immigration. It is this: Whenever in cities and towns of this country the census figures show an increase in population there is general rejoicing. in other words. the people regard such anI increase as an evidence of growth and progress aInd prosperity. And they also have a right to regard it as indicating an increase in values. because it is population which makes values.