Speech #650153599

That proposition is admitted by all. Yet the registration has disclosed that practically onefourth of the men in the district which I represent can claim exemption because they are alien residents. The effect of this is that while the registration of men subject to military service is large. the actual quota must be filled from less than threefourths of the registrants. and to that extent falls heavier upon the nativeborn Americans and those already naturalized. The effect has been to compel our native Americans to go into the service and fight this war. while this large number of foreign residents -who are aliens remain at home. enjoy the protection of peace. and succeed to the good jobs nmde vacant by the Americans. This situation is not only unfair. unjust. but it is intolerable. and Is becoming more so with each recurring draft call. Now. this bill proposes briefly as follows: It is entitled "An act to provide for the deportation ofaliens. and other purposes." and was introduced in this HouseAugust 3. 1917. and has been pending since that date. Section 1 provides that. any alien liable to become a citizen of thecUnited States who is a native or subject of any country at war with Germany or any of herallies and who but for his alienage would be subject to the draft under the act of May I8. 1917. and who has claimed exemption on theground that he is an alien. sliall be hereafter barred from becoming a citizen of the United States and shall be deported as soon.as practicable. lnt permits any alien who has been exempted on account of his alienage within 60 days after the passage of this act to subinit himself to the operation of the selective draft. in which event he shall not be -within theoperation of this section and forfeit his citizenship or be deported. Section 2 provides that 60 days after the passage of this. act the President is authorized to draft such aliens to perform mentl and physical labor on the farms and in manufacturing establishiiients. or he amy make such disposition of such aliens as lie deems best to the interest of the United States. Section 3 provides that after 30 days fron the passage of this act no alien who is a native or subject of any country at war with Germany. or with any of the central powers of Europe. who is subject to military duty in his native country. may ibe permitted to enter the United States.. except on permission of the ]resident. and provides penalties against steamship companies violating its provisions.