Mr. Chairman. that is not because of the fault of immigrants coming to our country. It is because of an economic situation. It is because under the existing schedules of the tariff we are unable to compete with foreign goods. But who shall say the time has come when we must say. "We have grown to 105.000.000 people. and we will rely upon those within our own borders- for the further increase in our population "? I agree with the committee that the time has come to give serious attention to the immigration question and to see that thousands and hundreds of thousands who after they get here turn out to be undesirables should be excluded. but I do not believe that the proper way to go about that is to shut up the gates and lock them fast for two years. as you do practically in this bill. In the first place. that period is altogether too long. Two years are a long time. In the second place. I believe that we can tighten up the existing immigration laws. We can give more funds to the department to enforce the law. and we can see to it. as it will be seen to within a few short. weeks. that men are put in positions of trust in that department who will enforce the law according to its letter and spirit. a thing which has not been done during the past few years. But I feel that if you close these gates. lock them fast. for two years. you are but postponing conditions. and that you are doing an injustice not only to many desirable immigrants who come here with a firm faith in our Government. with a firm intention to abide by Its- laws and become good citizens. but you are going to do an injustice to many of those now in this country: who may desire others to come here and make a success in life as they have done. I trust that the committee will not seriously oppose an amendment to reduce the period within which all these immigrants practically should be excluded.
Identified stereotypes
Some immigrants turn out to be undesirables.