Speech #640153670

I should like to remark. in answer to the Senator from Nebraska. that by reason of furloughing men from the Immigration Service. and by reason of inadequate equipment in the matter of launches and boats. the Immigration Service is in such condition on the -northwest border of the United Statesthe border between British Columbia and the State of Washingtonthat it might be truthfully described as being paralyzed and breaking down. When tile war broke out there were a great number of men in Canada that desired to come to the United States in order to avoid the obligations imposed on citizens of Canada by the war. We have a border there that is covered by forests. and a great part of it is an intricate labyrinth of waterways. and instead of increasing the force of the Immigration Service it was reduced. and the consequence was that a very large number of illegal immigrants have come into the United States by reason of the inadequate enforcement of our laws. In addition to that. there is a constant stream of Chinamen coming into the United States illegally across that border by reason of the inefficiency of the Immigration Service. I am speaking about this matter advisedly. I have investigated it.