Speech #680073870

Mr. Speaker. the present resolution. if adopted. simply provides for the consideration of the bill to limit the immigration of aliens into the United States. and for other purposes. General debate. although provided in the rule to be limited to eight hours. has been somewhat modified by unanlinousconsent requests. After general debate. the bill is to be considerud under the general rules of the House as ordinarily is done. The need for considering this legislation at this time is this: The original immigration act of 1921. as amended by the act of 1922. and commonly known as the restricted 3 per cent law. expires on June :30. 1924. and it is absolutely necessary to protect ourselves that some legislation of this character shall be considered lit this time. We are definitely informed by our consular representatives and all people representing us in foreign countries that there Is a great migratory movement. and that most of these people desire. If possible. to come to the United States. Unless we have more protection than is provided under the original Immigration act of 1917 it will be ipossible to protect our country from tIe hoard of foreign I aliens that fire now ready to come to America. Furthermore. this legislation Is really about the most important and farreaching piece of legislation that will be pre-: sented to this House at this session because of its importanti bearing on the future development of the life and character of! our own people. 0 Practically all of the people from foreign countries who want to emigrate from their own soil want to come to the United States. Considering the fact that they all wanst tol come here we are in a position to select the best class of people. I think it is incumbent upon this body at this time to enact an immigration law which will protect us at all times and get this best class of people. I have had some experience with various classes and races of people. and I am not ready to say yet that any one class or any one race of people are nll had or all good. I personally believe that as far as it is possible we should make discrimination in the particular cases. individuals. rather than discrimination in classes or races. I believe that we should enact an immigration law which will bring to this country only those people that we ourselves believe are competent and able to become intelligent. honest. patriotic American citizens. and that is the kind of immigration bill I desire to see passed at this time. Mr. Speaker.