Speaker. I see but little force In the first objection offere& by the President. as that objection relates to the present law as well as this bill. His second and main objection goes to the literacy test. and I. am aware of the fact that much can be said against -this particular kind of a test. I am also aware of the fact that many men of foreign birth who were uneducated -came to this country in an early day and have made good citizens :and have contributed their part toward the development of our country. I do not contend that education Is a test of morality or character. but I do say there Is far less excuse the world over for being unable .to readthan there was many .years ago. I have no objections to immigration that will not lower -our standard of living. and I recognize the fact that much of our progress and many of our achievements are due to the ability. the capacity. and progressiveness of many citizens of foreign birth. I am proud of their achievements in both business and professional life. Their loyalty to our country and devotion to our flag have attracted the attention and won the admiration of all our people. But that Is hot the question. What we must decide upon is the best method of restriction. We all agree that immigration is coming faster than It can be assimilated. that we already. have a surplus of unskilled labor. that American workmen of both native and foreign birth are being driven out of employment by the influx of thousands of illiterates from southern Europe. who are willing to live and do live in box cars or under the crudest kind of shelter. at an expense of 10 or 15 cents per day. and who. as a matter of course. eventually lower the standard of American wages and the standard of American living. You can not tell me that the dumping of 250.000 illiterates from southern Europe annually on our shores will not lower the standard of American citizenship. If this be not true. then our boasted system of schools is a failure and we are annually wasting millions of dollars of the peoples money in their maintenance.
Identified stereotypes
Generalizing that immigrants from southern Europe are illiterate, willing to live in poor conditions, and lower the standard of American wages and living.