Speech #670189545

I read from the New York lerald as follows: In the face of positive information published by the New York Herald that thousands of undesirabl allens are being smuggled into the United States systematically in violation of the immigration laws. which since has been corroborated fully by Government reports. word was passed brazenly this week aiong the memlers of the smuggling fraternity up and down the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts and along the Mexican and Canadian I)orders that " the lid is off" for the next four months. The word is correct. At a time when the Federal immigration authorities admit that it is practically impossible for them to make any headway against the smuggling gangs. especially those who are operating from Cuba to the thousands of bays and inlets on the Florida coast. the Ilmigration Bureau of the Department of Labor has been forced to issue orders to lay off hundreds of inspectors between now and July 1 because of tol restricted congressional appropriations. Unless Congress acts immediately by passing a deficiency bill granting approximately $100.000 to the Immigration Bureau. between 400 and 700 men will be given two weeks furlough every 30 (lays until the end of the fiscal year. It is predicted in congressional circles ihat at least 10.000 alien immigrants denied admittance under the law will lbe able to slip into the United States. For each one of them the smuggling gangs that are operating small vessels or fast automobiles along the southern coasts and the borders will collect from $100 to $500. The Immigration Bureau linds itself in the same position as the prohibition enforcement office at this time last yearl. when hundreds of enforcement agents had to be laid off for several months due to the lack of funds to pay salaries. The extent to which the immigration inspection force will he crippled by laying off between 400 and 700 men is shown by the fact that the total number of inspectors and field assistants is only about 1.200. That is tile case. Mr. Presitlent. and it is very serious. Of course Boston is one of tite large immigration ports. and I have heard fron there as well as from other points with regard to the situation. I tio not say anything about the hardship to the men ill the service. which is very great. but to break up the service and furlough inspectors. to take away the men from tile smaller points. can result in nothing but the admnittance illicitly of a large number of immigrants who ought to be excluded.