Speech #670281592

On June 26. 1922. Mr. JOHiSON of Washington. chairman of the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization of the House. introduced H. R. 12169. "A bill to limit the immigration of aliens into the United States." On June 27. 1922. I introduced H. R. 12193. "A bill to limit the immigration of aliens into the United States." I am a member of that committee and have been for over 10 years. H. R. 12193 limits the number of aliens admissible under the immigration laws in any fiscal year to 2 per cent of the number of foreignborn persons of any nationality resident in the United States. as determined by the United States Census of 1910. One of the vital and Important provisions of this bill is that which relates to ineligible aliens. which reads as follows: That no alien Ineligible to citizenship tinder the laws of the United States shall be admitted to the United States. The bill also provides for the elimination and abrogation of what is known as the " gentlemens agreement." When the joint resolution which was passed by both Houses and finally approved on May 11. 1922. was under consideration by the committee of the House. it was determined to pass over at that time the two important questions last above referred to. The Johnson and Raker bills are not identical. but there is one provision that Is vital and whjch will be disposed of by whichever bill the committee may finally act upon. and that is the question of prohibiting hereafter the admission of all aliens ineligible to citizenship under the laws of the United States and doing. away with the "gentlemens agreement." I am justified in saying that pending the recess. and by the time Congress begins the regular session in December. the Committee on Immigration will -have prepared and ready to present to the House a bill which will carry out. in addition to other matters. the two particularly important matters above referred to. I want to take this opportunity of saying that. having been a member of thiscommittee for over 10 years. associated with the gentleman from Washington [Mr. Jon.soN]. the committees chairman. I can with safety and assurance say that the country has a safe representative in regard to immigration legislation in the person of our chairman. Mr. JO1iNSON. and that lie will do all in his power and. with the aid of the other members of the committee. will be able to present to the House early in December. for the Houses conshicration. an immigration bill carrying out the views now demanded by the American public. and which bill will carry a provision abrogating what is known as the " gentlemens agreement." and a further provision that no alien ineligible to citizenship under the laws of the United States shall be admitted to the United States. I am most happy to Inform the House and the country of that fact. as this Is what I have been standing for. laboring incessantly. in season and out of season. to bring about such legistation. and I confidently believe that before the close of the Sixtyseventh Congress we will see this most important piece of legislation- enacted into law and placed upon our statute books. One who has been In this contest for many years fully appreciates what this means to the West in particular and to the United States in general.