President. let us test just what the effect of this measure will be. First. I assume .that the .literacy test can be disregarded as a serious test in itself. Its purpose is to shut out immigration. As one of the speakers said. its the most effective method that can be employed. The gentleman who represents the Locomotive .Brotherhood I do not think was particularly sensitive about the literary quality of .these immigrants. He wants them shut out because 350.000 b s. as I think he described them. expected your Excellency to do it. Now let us see what .the effect of that would be. As far as the literacy test is concerned I will say this: That from what your Excellency has heard. .I do not think that you would regard with particular favor a measure that distinguished against the laborious and in -favor of the loquacious. [Laughter 1 do not think that the literacy test In itself proves .any meilt .whatever except a -certain glibness of utterance -which might well be dispensed With In favor of expertness in labor. I believe that a calloused hand. a hband calloused by labor. should be a better passport through our customhouse than a tongue supple in several languages. I do not think this country needs .11n. .guists .
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immigrants immigration literacy test