Speech #680076049

I would like to continue without interruption because I want. in the short time at my disposal. to maintain the continuity of my thought and argument. It is readily conceded that one of the chief purposes of this. bill is to reduce the proportion of immigration from southern and eastern Europe and to Increase that of northern and western Europe. And how. effectively this Is done by changing the quota year is shown by the fact that the present percentage of immigration. under the 1910 census. from northern and western Europe Is 55 per cent. while that of southern and eastern Europe Is 45 per cent. By the simple method of changIng the quota year to 1890. as proposed in this bill. the percentage of Immigration from northern and western Europe is increased to 87 per cent. While that of southern and eastern Europe is decreased to 13 per cent. And this drastic diversion of the river of immigration on the plea that those adversely affected thereby are nonassimilable! Does this term imply a lower social caste? If it does. it would indicate a spirit of snobbishness and the idea of intellectual as well as moral superiority. which.