Speech #640072908

I do not hesitate to favor an American railroad as against a foreign railroad. But the Chinese question is not the largest one involved in this proposition. When the war in Europe closes there will probably be a heavy immigration to the Pacific coast through the Panama Canal. Under present conditions these immigrants to the Pacific Northwest will be landed at Vancouver. British Columbia. All the money expended in relation to their examination and detention will be spent in Vancouver instead of in an American city. All advantages will be given to the Canadian Pacific Railroad instead of to an American railroad. The Canadian land agent and promoter will be given the first opportunity to meet these immigrants. They will have the chance to get the cream of this immigration. and those that they can not persuade to remain in Canada and those they do not want will then come into our country. Why this discrimination? Why should not this country favor its own people. as Canada always does? Why should not these foreign steamship companies be compelled to land these immigrants at some port on Puget Sound instead of going to Vancouver? Why is it that this Government must constantly discriminate against its own steamship lines. its own railroad lines. and its own working classes in favor of those in Canada? I submit that I have watched with a great deal of impatience legislation forthe past five years with reference to the Pacific Northwest. for I have seen practically every act that has gone upon our statute books discriminate not in favor of the United States but In favor of Canada.