Speech #660273205

Mr. Chairman. there are some who opposethe pending measure because- they do not believe that the existing.conditions warrant the temporary restriction ofimmigration at the present time. it is. however. very evident that the country is. becoming alarmed by both the growing avalanche ofirmigrants and the increasing unemployment athome. There are others who. discounting the abnormal world condlk tions of today. believe that immigration should at all times be free and unrestricted. Thisi I believe. is but enunciating. a doctrine to which presentday America can not afford to subscribe. rbelieve that asound national protective policy demands that immigration to this country should at all times be regulated andcontrolled. based on the principle that changing conditions require appropriate legislative adjustments. The world today i.. facing unparallel d conditions The tremendous upheaval and reconstruction abroad and the economic and social readjustmeat- at home demand not only amendments and changes in the immigration law. but necessitate efficient new legislation. I subscribe to what the gentleman from Illinois has said about America being a liarbor of refuge. but I also believe that the first law of nations. as of individuals-. is tlie law of selfprotection. One of the essential rights inherent in sovereignty and independence of nations is that of selfpreservation. To temporarily restrict immigration for a reasonable length of time as a precautionary measure is the exercise of the national power of selfpreservation. The arguments and reasoning which controlled the formulation of an immigration policy 10 years ago can not- logically be applied to the present situation. All of the available reports show that- there is a constantly growing and unprecedented influx of immigrants to the American shores from all parts of the Old World. -Notwithstanding. the difficulties in transportation. notwithstanding the abnormal differences in international exchange of money. notwithstanding the hardships and difficulties of land travel in Europe. and all of the Various- obstacles in obtaining permission to leave their native land. immigration from foreign lands during the past months has been increasing at an alarming- rate. The tidal wave of immigration has been constantly assuming greater and greater proportions until it now promises to exceed all records. If the experience of the recent past is any criterion. the situation is one of grave concern and calls for prompt and effective measures and safeguards. For the past few months. even under restrictions- that survive war time. immigrants- have been pouring into the port of New York in such large numbers that officials have. been overwhelmed and all facilities overtaxed. We can readily foresee what the ensuing year may bring. with the inevitable removal of wartime restrictions from certain countries and when ocean travel will be stripped of. tha prevailing difficulties and inconveniences. Immigration will only be limited by the extent of transportation facilities. existed solelyas the scapegoats on whom they proposed to dump the burden of deflation. Mr. President. last summer quite a few big corporations from the industrial centers circulated their paper among country banks.