Speech #640157019

I want to know if any greater or better work can be accomplished for the people of this country than bringing idle men to work that is waiting for them? That is another great work that has been imposed upon this department. They are carrying it out. and extremely successfully. and I insist that It is not. a .matter of slight importance. - I.et me read to you just a few brief statements from tie Depitrtifient of Labor with regard to tills $200.000 appropriatioll : It Is absolutely necessary that the $200.000 which has been cut out be restored for the following reasons: (1) Immigration via the Atlantic ports. whldh are the most affected by the European war. Is on the increase and the prospects are ttat 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) There has been an increased immigration at all Pacific coast ports. (3) Canadian border: Since the outbreak of the European war. thousands of aliens in Canada. who were subjects 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 also active. The registered immigration 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 year indicates that the increase will bring the figures above the 100.000 limit. (4) Mexican border: In view of the Mexican situation. additional oflicers and guards are necessary to handle the cases of diseased aliens and refugees. many of whom are entering the United States surreptitiously. the present force being insufficient to properly look after the work. In this connection. as we all have seen in the papers during the last few days. hundreds of these Mexicans have been flying across the American border into this country to avoid. as they believe. what will be the horrors of a war between the United States and Mexico. Those men will continue to fly to this country unless we patrol that border vith sufficient troops to prevent them from entering. (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 has been Increased activity In connection with the etmployment work authorized by section 40 of the immigration act. anl this must be curtailed and perhaps abandoned altogether unless additional funds can be obtained. Does Colngress desire that important work abandoned? I do not think it does. . (7) Furloighs: During the first four ionths of the pre~ent fiscal year it was necessary to furlough a large number of employees in the Imnigratlon 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 ftrloughs. It Is apparent that to (to so will have a very destructive effect on the morale of the service and prove extremely etabarrassiug. Not only that. but the effect of furloughing resultedin the loss of some of the best immigration officers because they were able to F It steady employment either In civil life or in other departments of the overnment at the compdnsation they were then receiving from the Immigration Service. and in some instances more. (8) The Itlnilgiatlon Service. except during the European war. has I)eel selfsupporting. but when considered In connection with the service commenclng at the time of the inauguration of the per capita tax oh immigrants it has yielded a net surplus revehue over all expenses of $10.000.000. in round numbers. And yet this is the service that Congress intends to cripple. this is the service that Congress likely intends to abandon. They do not conceive that the work of this department is of any importance whatever. .