Speech #670216558

During the eight months of the operation of the law. from the 1st of July to the 28th of February. In round numbers 5.000 Polish immigrants were admitted and 25.000 Polish immigrants returned to Poland during that time. As to the general effect upon immigration of the operation of the law for eight nonths it may be said that the number of alien immigrants from southern and eastern Europe admitted to tile United States is only about 6.000 more than the number who have departed. and that the number of alien immigrants from northern and western Europe admitted to the United States during this time is only about 36.000 in excess of those who have departed. Such defects and hardships as have been disclosed in the practical administration of the law have been in part corrected and these corrective efforts will be continued. I might say with regard to immigration that the facts are so complex that it is very difficult to frame even a reasonably perfect immigration law. and. therefore. there ought to be a great deal of administrative power lodged in the Department of Labor. In other words. the law should be made elastic enough to prevent what might be called tragedies. so that the law could be administered with humanity. The Commissioner General of Immigration. Arr. Husband. saysand mark this: I am quite sure that some of the administrative difficulties of the past can be avoided or considerably minimized in the future. even though the law is extended without amendments as the House joint resolution provides.