Speech #670227574

I think. Mr. President. that tile fines imposed on the steamship companies for the violation of the immigration law ought to be very heavy. and they ought not to be permitted to say that they could not find out whether they were bringing in a number of immigrants in excess of the quota. for the steamship company which has a proper regard for this country will -know the facts. There is but one way to maize them have a proper regard for the immigration law. and that isby putting heavy penalties oi them for violating it. I have known in times past of instances where steamship companies would bring in immigrants by the shipload without regard to their fitness for citizenship in the United States. They brought them here purely and whollyfor the purpose of making money out of the traffic. We make it easier for the steamship companies to load their ships down with undesirable immigrants and bring them here if on their arrival on this side there is provided a loophole through which they may pass -and avoid the penalty. So I feel. Mr. President. that we are following the same old beaten track. and that immigrants of the character of those who have come into this country and poisoned the very life of it for years will still have- an opportunity to come in under the very proposition which is presented here today.