Speech #660333764

Mr. President. immigration i a.subject to which I have given some attention. with a view. I think. solely of arriving at a right conclusion In my own mind. Every Senator here recognizes the fact that this proposed legislation is temporary in Character. My distinguished friend from Rhode Island read a very beautiful statement which pointed out the debt which we owe to the foreign population of this country. and I indorse every word that he said in that behalf. I recognize that most of us do not have to go back very many generations to find that our own ancestors were foreign born. I can only go back on one side in my family four generations and on the other side of the family somewhat further. This legislation is not brought forward in any spirit of prejudice against foreigners at all. but. as I conceive the situation. our duty is to America first. The Department of Labor has pointed out that there are perhaps three and a half million men unemployed in the United States today. My guess is that if we could secure a complete survey of the situation in Europe we would find that. with those countries needing rehabilitation. as they do need it. the European Governments will be encouraging their best class of citizens to stay at home and they will be encouragingothers to go abroad. When immigrants seek to enter our country we want the best that will come. we want those who will legally become American citizens. we want those who can be American citizens in spirit. My friend. the distinguished Senator from North Dakota . referred to the loyalty of American citizens of foreign extraction. and I Indorse what he said in that behalf. so far as the very large majority of them is concerned. Mr. President. thinking perhaps that I might get a little light on this subject I sent out a questionnaire to the chambers of commerce and to the central labor unions in every city in my State having a population of 10.000 or over. there being 50 such cities. With but perhaps one or two exceptions--I do not think there were more than thatnearly every one of these bodies insisted that there should be some restriction of foreign immigration at this time. Why? Largely because of the unemployment conditions that exist.