Speech #670195633

Because of the conditions in Europe. a million or more. I may safely say. would have come to this country to escape froln the chaotic conditions as a result of the war. The coming of large numbers would have been a calamity to the country and to the American workers as well as to the immigrants themselves. There were no homes to -shelter the immigrant or his family and no work whereby he could earn money to support them. The 3 per cent law was enacted for the very purpose of restricting immigration. and it has accomplished its purpose. During this fiscal year there will be not to exceed a net increase of at least 50.000 immigrants. They are now coming into this country at the rate of about 2.000 per week. but at the same time emigration is equal to at least that number. so that from now on. by reason of many exhausted quotas. emigration and immigration wilt be about equal. Many are emigrating from this country because in Europe their money converted into money of their native country will give them greater purchasing power than if they had remained here. This resolution puts the question squarely up to Congress whether or not they will permit these additional 2.400 pergons who are now here under bond to remain. Many of them can not be sent back to their own country because there is no one to receive them. Congress is to be congratulated on the able work of the Secretary of Labor. Mr. Davis. and the Commissioner General of Immigration. Mr. Husband. They have provided quotas for these alien immigrants from countries that did not exist according to the census of 1910. they have provided quotas for countries whose boundaries have been changed since 1910. they have had a thousand and one obstacles .to overcome. and I do not believe there is a nman here in Congress who can point out a single instance where under the administration of the 3 per cent law there has been a failure. The purpose of the law has been accomplished. The restrictive law is. in fact. almost prohibition.