Speech #670332461

Mr. Chairman. it is generally conceded that. if possible. any immigrants who are permitted to come into the United States should come in American ships. if we have the ships. But as a matter of equity it is not considered advisable to suggest that more than onehalf come in that way. Several countries have laws regulating emigration .and have laws in regard to immigration. Other countries say by law or by order how their emigrants shall txavel. and now the United States proposes in this section of the -merchant marine bill to say that if any immigrants come. onehalf shall come in ships of the United States. We might write all the details into this law. but we can do it better in another bill which is to come later. A section following the one now under discussion deals with treaties and gives the President the right to act in opposition to treaties. if necessary. The assumption is. and I think it will turn out to be just that way. that the State Departuient will open negotiations with those countries which seem to be desirous of sending emigrants to us which will lead to all arrangement by which 50 per cent will come on American ships. Of course. this does not mean that more shall come than our immigration laws permit. I can not see that this proposal will open the way for an increase in immigration if Congress decides we shall not have that increase. but .it will give a chance to the American ships to permit the relatives in this country to lay down the money here in the United States for the passage of relatives now in Europe-