Speech #680074035

The gentleman from New York has suggested that we state a definite issue. I say to the Members of this House who have been fighting this bill that they are beclouding and evading the issue. In the first place the very people they claim they are seeking to protect will be benefited by the humane measures of the proposed immigration bill. What happens today under the quota law? You know Ellis Island is jammed at the beginning of every month with immigrants coming into the United States. We see the race between steamships across the ocean to be first in port so that their nationals may come within the quota. You see the distress of the aliens coming on the slower ships who because the quota is exhausted when their ship reaches here have been compelled to return home. You see families who have sold their property to come to the United States and because of slow speed of steamships have been compelled to return to their own country from whence they came. And yet under the Johnson bill. the bill you are attacking. no such conditions will ever occur. In the first place I do not agree with the gentleman from New York . for I say that the bill Is selective. it gives the American consul the right to select the immigrant. We want no one living in Europe to come to the United States unless lie Is physically. mentally. and morally fit to enter. The weakling will be weeded out at the source. Certificates will be issued to those who qualify. and the number counted at the rate of 10 per cent a month. No longer will the steamships race across the ocean. no alien unfit will be admitted. no longer will Immigrants be compelled to stay on the ships two and three and four days waiting for other immigrants to get through Ellis Island. Another thing. Under the present law aliens are counted and examined at Ellis Island at the rate of seven a minute. I ask you what kind of an examinatlon can a Public Health doctorwhat kind of an examination can an immigration inspectorgive a future citizen of the United States at the rate of seven per minute? Ten per cent of the quota a month gives time for the muchneeded Inspection. The flow through the island will be constant and even.