Speech #630424089

Italy. .48.5 per cent in 1905. Roumania. 61.4 per cent in 1899. :and Russia. 72 per cent in 1897. The "literacy test" is aimed -at the streams of immigration coming from the large illiterate. populations of the eastern and southern European countries. By excluding "all aliens over 16 years of age. physically capable of reading. who can not read the English language or some other language or dialect. including Hebrew or Yiddish. with certain exceptions." we expect to check the avalanche of immigrants that has been pouring in upon us during the past few years. ExPresident Taft based his veto of the BurnettDillingham immigration bill on the reasons set forth in the letter of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Mr. Nagel. which accompanied his veto message. Mr. Nagel contended that the "literacy test" would be difficult of enforcement and would entail a considerably increased expense on the part of the Government. and he further contended thatWe need labor in this country. and the natives are unwilling to do the work which the aliens come over to do. He evidently believed that we were in no danger of an oversupply of laborers. for in the conclusion of his letter he says in part. referring to the "literacy test." thatIt Is based upon a fallacy In .undertaking to apply a test which is not calculated to reach the truth. and to find relief from .a danger which does not really exist. While industrial conditions under the administration of exPresident Taft were so prosperous as to lead him. as well as his Secretary of Commerce and Labor. to feel that we were in no danger from an oversupply of labor. no one will claim that these conditions obtain today. President Wilson. while vetoing the present bill because of the "literacy test." has been compelled to seek other reasons for his action than those set forth by exPresident Taft. He states that it is a radical departure from the traditional and longestablished policy of this country. and thatIn this bill it Is proposed to turn away from the tests of character and quality and impose tests which exclude and restrict. The primary object in enacting the proposed legislation is to protect the American laborer from direct competition with the foreign laborer.