Speech #670340376

This President Wilson proceeded to do. and in due course the provision in the several trade treaties and conventions that it was necessary to remove to igive full effect to the seamens act were all removed through diplomatic arrangement. It was not until 1920 that President Wilson found Congress encroaching on his prerogatives in .respect to treaties. "As a matter of fact. Title III of the bill we are now advocatingsections 301. 302. 303. and 304. pages 21 and 22contemplates the possibility of our provision in respect to 50 per cent of the immigrants coming in American vessels being in conflict with these very same existing commercial treaties and conventions. and the President is directed to remove the conflict wherever he discovers it. that is to say. to proceed to have the treaties and conventions so modified as to give this country the right to require that 50 per cent of the immigrants enteringthe United States shall come in American vesseis. It may be and I hope it Will be that. when Ithis bill becomes law and the President proceeds to remove the conflict between commercial treaty provisions and that of Title III of this bill. he will. at the same time. give noticeas required in section 34 of the merchant marine act. 1920. of our intention so to modify the treaties to leave us .free. if we wish to. to readopt the early successful policy of discimininatng import duties and tonnage dues."