Speech #620312896

We have added the words "in any form." Thousands of dollars are being spent by private subscription. by private munificence. and by the States to crush out so far as possible the ravages of that dread disease. And yet that simple change has been opposed by many of the very men who are disturbed about the illiteracy test. Much of the opposition to this bill has been to even such a salutary proposition as to add the words "in any form" after " tuberculosis." We have also put into the bill a provision excluding all persons who can not become eligible for naturalization unless it is otherwise provided by treaties. conventions. or passport arrangements. Mr. President. the meaning of that is very plain. If for any reason treaties. conventions. and passport arrangements should not protect us in that regard. if for any reason they should fail. then this law would come into operation :1nd Asiatic immigration would be excluded from this country. That is one of the niost important and farreaching provisions in the bill. It will be lost if the bill is lost. We havealso provided for the better care of immigrants on ships. so that they may come here under the best conditions and arrive in as good health as it is possible to secure. All these great improvements. agreed on substantially by all who have given attention to the subject. will be lost if the bill fails to become a law. and months. perhaps years. will elapse before we can get these provisions. framed with care and patience. after years of investigation. upon the statute books. Mr.