Speech #620314640

D. C... IThe lIebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society. composed of tied to most of the credit or discredit for it if it passes. has American citizens in all parts of the country. respectfully prays that you indicated that for months. even for years. we have debated this exerclse your functions as a representative of the people In Congress question in the House. I contend that the bill. as it comes beand refuse to pass the immlgration bill over the veto of Ills fore us now with the Presidents veto. has never been discussed Excellency William h. Taft. President of the United States. This bill oitains uncalled for drastic provisions which are bound to exclude in the House. We have had one section of the bill here fo frou our shores decent. lawabiding men and women. for no good rca- discussion. that pertaining to the literacy test alone. but all son. no matter what the motives of the authors. The bill is based upon other features of the bill originated ill conference. and have false notions. We are convinced. as ai organization that has worked among Immigriants for a quarter century and Is coming in daily con- been brought here In every Instance and forced through the tact with every strata of Immigiation. that our immigrants in this House under the previous question. There has been no fair country have made good. - It their loyalty to the United States they opportunity to debate the bill in the House. ranlk next to none. in their patriotism and devotion to the principles of liberty they occulpy the same place as any patriotic native American. Gentlemen upon the other side. who are posted ipon this IseasThey appreciaie oair glorious institutions more than a great many tire. have Indicated that its passage will shut out of the country Aiericans who ian trlace Sheir ancestry back for several generations. 2 They have not given cauise for the Congress of the United States to -50.000 immnigrants per aiitllinl \lie v.till lt read. If tit iS legislate the exchsoni frot our shores of their kind. We are satisfied the effect of the bill. imi a iluone.l!a y .euuee a loie..apart fronii th loss of blood and sinew involved. it will mean that we would lose at least $1.000.000 per annum collected now by way of head tax at $4 per head. But that is not the only side of the question. In shutting these men out and losing the -value of their labor. in losing the head tax. which is a reduction of the revenues of the country. I suggest to the economists on the other side who are preparing economical public building bills and economical naval bills. that the Department of Commerce and Labor estimates that the enforcement of this act. if passed. will cost $1.173.000 per annum. You are going to fasten that charge upon the Government while you deduct from it the $1.000.000 in head tax that you would have collected from those who will be shut out.