Speech #680076022

Mr. Chairman. the question of immigration is one of intense interest throughout the entire country. I believe that the people generally are better informed upon this question than upon any other subject which will come before Congress for consideration during the present session. The World War aroused an interest in the study of foreign questions. and during the past few years the question of immigration has been tile subject of debate in the sclools throughout the country. It has been discussed from tile pulpit. through the press. in civic bodies. labor organizations. Legion posts. and has been the subject of Individual investigations. so that the people have more information upon the subject and are better prepared to express themselves upon it than perhaps any other public question. The bill under consideration--H. R. 7995--Is the result of tile careful study of the Conlnittee on Immigration and Naturalization and embodies tle amendments agreed upon by the commitiee after extended hearings. Tile report of tile committee goes into the details of the bill. contains much valuable information. and Is helpful to the proler understanding of the provisions of the bill. The bill is authorized to be cited as the "immigration act of 1924." and might well be called the "selective and restrictive immigration act of 1.924." It recognizes the principles of the immigration law enacted in 1917 and the acts subsequently passed supplementilg and extending It. andI does not repeal these laws except where there Is a conflict or it is specifically so provided in the act. Section 3 of the immigration act of 1917 is not repealed by the bill but is continued in force. and enumerates in great detail the classes of aliens to be excluded from admission into the United States. and among them are idiots and insane persoils. paupers. vgrants. persons afflicted with tuberculosis or with any loathsome or dangerous contagious disease. persons convicted of felony involving moral turpitude. polygamists. anarchists or persons who are opposed to all forms of law or who are opposed to organized government and favor tile assassination of public officials or the unlawful destruction of property. prostitutes. contract laborers. aliens over 16 years of age physifclly capable of reading who can not read the English or seiie other 1tguage. and many other classes enumerated in this section. If this section were honestly. intelligently. sympathetically. and rigidly enforced. it would result in the rejection of many seeking admission to our country who are undesirable. and it would relieve from criticism. in a large measure. the foreigners who come to our country. Everyone desirous of studying the immigration question should carefutlly read this section in order to appreciate the very great responsibility which is given to our immigration officials under this bill. first. to the consular officials abroad. and second. to the immigration officials at home. Those aliens who are not eligible to citizenship "are excluded by the provisions of this bill and other acts of Congress. and this. of course. will exclude the Japanese. Chinese. and the yellow races of Asia.