Speech #680050970

There has never been a phantom of an immigration peril in this country at any time. because our foreign population. as I say. was never more than 13 per cent. either In 1860. or in 880. or in 1900. or in 1910. or in 1920. and very likely it never will be. no matter what our immigration policy may be. above the percentage of 13. In addition to the cyclical movement. both immigration and emigration show a regular seasonal movement. Each year in the prewar period. whether immigration is small or large. a high point was usually reached in the summer and a low point in December or January. The operation of the per cent limit act. under which Immigration is at present regulated. appears to have slightly shifted the seasonal fluctuation. Since the fiscal year runs from July 1. a desire is created to get into the United States before the quotas have been exhausted. whereas normally. Immigration has been at its height in the spring and warmer weather. We find upon a close examination of this chart that the emigrant always comes over here when the weather is most beneficial or agreeable to his natural instincts and habits. For example. the Italian comes over here in greatest numbers when the weather is warm. This probably might show the inadequacy of the new provision of the new law which provides that the immigration period CHAr.T 2.