Speech #660099626

It is also well known that these parties and those who cooperate withthem.. both here and abroad.. have a wellformed plan for dumping into this country on the conclusion of peace. or at the first opportunity. a vaste horde of the most undesirable element of foreign countries. It has been stated on the best of authority and reported to us that there is a flood of inmigration from Germany and Austria. as well as South Europe. seeking entrance to this country as soon as the doors are opened. During this discussion the chief thought that seems to have developed In the minds of Members here in reference to this matter is what the Committee on Immigration is going to do in relation to this question and when it is going to act. Just before the close of the last Congress a bill was brought in from that committee which. as its chairman has just told you. prohibited all immigration to the United States for four years. This bill was never considered by the House. Since the special session has been called the Immigration Committee has prepared and the House has passed a bill providing for the deportation of all undesirable interned aliens now in this countl~y. That bill has not been considered by the Senate. and. of course. I can not give any information as to when it will be considered. We now have pending before the Committee on Immigration a great muny measures. one of which absolutely. prohibits immigration into this country for a number of years. In my judgment. until we can get our industries properly adjusted and get back to a normal business basis. and our returned service men placed in good employment. such a measure ought to be passed and made effective. It is stated on good authority that at least 10.000.000 are seeking our shores from the Central Powers. our former and present enemies. We know from past experienc& that these will be of the most undesirable and dangerous element from those countries. and absolute prohibition is the only way that the matter can be effectively controlled. We have bills pending before the Cofimittee on Immigration to deport aliens who withdrew their first papers in order to avoid military service. I am heartily In favor of that measure. We also have a bill before the committee to delay for five years all proceedings looking toward the naturalization of those aliens who claimed exemption from military duty on account of their alienage. The American Legion. an organization of our discharged soldiers. which at every turn has displayed a very fine quality of Americanism. has advocated the passage of these measures. and in my judgment they should be passed. The United States district court for the eastern district of Louisiana has held that an alien who withdrew his first papers in order to avoid military service under the draft is forever barred from becoming an American citizen. and this construction of the law. which meets. the approval of every.American citizen. certainly strengthens the position of the American Legion asking for their deportation.