Speech #660331151

I am not prepared to state that the number of Immigrants coming in now is only limited by the shipping capacity. When we get to the question of shipping we reach a proposition which is disputed and upon which there are two sides. I do know. however. that the number of immigrants coming in up to the 1st of January was 411.000. that they fell off somewhat in January. owing to our economic conditions here. The proposed bill. however. will quiet the apprehension of the American people as to an impending flood of immigration. because it positively fixes the maximum number for the next 15 months. Why should not we be reasonable as to this whole subject? Why should we not admit a reasonable number. a maximum number. during the next 15 months. and in the meantime give the committee time to frame constructive legislation along the lines of selection at the source and distribution? All we are doing is to take the Johnson bill. which provides for suspension and which would admit the dependents. and sub. stitute for that dependent clause a comparatively small maximum number. Of those who will come in there will be a larger number of immigrants from northern and western Europe than from eastern and southern Europe. Of course. the apprehension arises from the fact that over 700.000 immigrants from southern Europe came in. on the average. for the years 1910 to 1914. and if there is any flood it is a flood from those quarters of Europe. I should like to say to the Senator from Maryland that there is an opinion in time country. which it is very difficult to answer. that there is danger of a flood of immigration from Europe. I personally do not think these apprehensions are %vell founded. At the same time there is a great deal to support them. Now. coming to the facts. we find that in the six months from the 1st of July to the 1st of January 411.000 immigrants landed. That is not equaling the prewar period. but it is approaching the prewar period. In view. however. of the conditions in Europe. in view of .the fact that the existence of a flood is a disputed question. in view of the apprehension in the country as to this flood and the desire to guard against it. in view of the fact that those who are not convinced of the flood may be mistaken. and especially in view of the fundamental fact that the public. opinion of the country demands that during the next year or more immigration should be regulated and controlledI feel that the Senator ought to permit the bill to come to a vote. Is it not reasonable. under the present circumstances. that we should pass a temporary measure which will admit a greater percentage of those from northern and western Europe and a less percentage of those from southern and eastern Europe. and at the same time a percentage based upon absolute equality? Is not that a fair measure to be adopted at the present time in substitution for the House bill and in meeting. I say. the settled convictions of the country that Immigration. owing to war conditions abroad. should in some way be controlled during the next year?