Speech #680074307

Italian. or Japanese. which is thinking of its own advantage first. last. and always. It Is for the American Government to decide--not for any other governmentwhom we are to admit to our shores and with whom we are to share the advantages of life and business in our country. The one great question upon which we divide Is as to the basis of this numerical restriction. the question of the quota. * For the past four years we have limited immigrants on a percentage based upon the nationality of the foreign born in this country. as shown by the census of 1910. the last census of a normal period before the cataclysm of the World War. Several alternatives have been proposed. The commissioner of immigration. I understand. has suggested that the quota should be based upon the percentage. not of nationality of birth but of American naturalization among the foreign born. on the ground that we want to keep America for Americans and are only interested In admitting immigrants who want to cast in their lot with ours and become Americans. I should have been glad to see a bill establishing quotas upon this basis submitted for discussion on this floor. Our committee. however. has recommended continuing quotas based upon country of birth. as at present. but have taken another census. that of 34 years ago. as the basis of computation.