Speech #640151553

Here is a succinct statement with which I lave been furnished by the Commissioner General in regard. to this matter. It is as follows: MEMORANDUiM nELATIVII TO THE ArPRPIUoIATION "ExrENSES oF .EGIU.LATiNG IMMInGRATION FOR Th FISCAL YEAR 1M11917. Two million six hundred and fifty thousand dollars is what has been estimated as necessary to maintain the Immigration Service for the ensuing fiscal year. The Committee on Appropriations has recommended only $2.450.000. a decrease of $200.000. It is absolutely necessary that the $200.000 which has been cut out be restored fo- the following reasons: (1) Immigration via the Atlantic porb. which are the most affected by the European war. Is on the increase. and the prospects are that the total for the next fiscal year will be materially In excess: of that of the fiscal year 1915: from present Indications. It may double In volume. (2) Ther hag been an increased immigration at: ail Pacific coast ports. (3) Canadian border: Since tne outbreak of the. European war thousands of aliens in Canada. who were Kubjects of Governments with which Great Britain Is now at war. have been seeking to cross the border into the United States. in most cases surreptitiously. The smuggling of contraband Chinese Is arso active. The registered immitgration over the Canadian border line in the last fiscal year was 90.000 in round numbers. and rate of increase for the first 10 months of this vear indicates that the Increase. will bring the figures above the 100.000 limit. (4) Mexican border: In viev of the Mexican situation additional officers and guards are necessary to handle the case.1 of diseased aliens and refugees many of whom are entering the United States surreptitiously.. the present force neing: insufficient to properly look after the work. (5) There has been no cessation of work at the Interior stations. as warrant proceedings have been instituted in the cases of several thousand aliens who can not now be deported because of war conditions. and their cases are being placed in shape for final action so that deportation may be made effective as soon as conditions permit. (6) Employment work: There is beer Increased nactivity in connection with- the employment work authorized by section 40 of the: immigration act. and this must be curtailed and perhaps: abandoned altogether unless additional fundscan be obtained. (7) Furloughs:. During the first four months of the. present fiscal: year it was necessary to furlough a. large number of employees in the Immigration Service in. order to prevent a deficiency. and. It is obvious that unless the additional: $200.000 for which request Is made is. restored. it will become necessary early during the coming fiscal year to. resume furloughs. It is apparent that to do so. will have a very destructive effect. on the morale of the service and. prove extremely embarrassing. Not only that. but the effect of furloughing resulted In the loss of some of the bes immigration officers because they were able to gt steady employment either in civil. life or in: other. departments of the Government at the compensation they were then. receiving from the Immigration Service. and in sone instances more. (8) The Immigration Service. except during the European War. has been selfsupporting . but when considered in connection with the- service commencing at the time of the. inauguration of the per capita tax on immigrants. It has yielded a net. surplus revenue over all expenses of $10.000.000 in round numbers. Mr.