Speech #630134885

I am very much in favor of this bill as it stands. I have listened with a great deal of interest to the speeches made by the gentlemen on both sides of this question. and I have been impressed with the earnestness which Ilas characterized their remarks. While the arguments have been directed to the literacy test. my impression is that the efforts of those opposed to the passage of this bill have been directed not so much against this qualification as they have been in favor of unrestricted immigration. The people of tie State of California and the entire Pacific coast are vitally interested in this question. The gentleman from Alabama has warned us of the influx of the peons from Mexico. and we have with us at the present time the very disturbing Asiatic question. and these immigration problems will be accentuated by the opening of the Panama Canal. We are now reliably informed that the steamship companies are selling 500.000 tickets on the installment plan. and southern California will be a mecca for thousands of these people from the Mediterranean who are unable to pay for a steerage passage in any other way. Our State has realized the seriousness of this situation. and our last legislature enacted a law creating a commission to try to .meet this unusual and trying condition which will confront us upon the opening of the Panama Canal. The people of my State are asking thlat we shall have a little less in quantity and a little more in quality. and we have endeavored In this manner to meet the immigrants that may come to our State and try to serve them and train them in the American spirit. The literacy test provided in this bill will tend not only to restrict ilmmigration. but will give us better material upon which to work. So. Mr.