Speech #680076475

As I said just a moment ago. the percentage or whatever percentage you decide should be based on the last available census. namely. 1920. as was done in the original act in 1921. I pointed out. gentlemen. in my remarks Saturday when the rule was under consideration that the doors are left wide open on the Mexican line. I statedand no one dares contradict. because the report of the Commissioner General of Immigration shows that 67000 Mexicans entered the United States last year. also that the Secretary of Labor has publicly stated that an equal nunmber unlawfully entered. It is not disputed that several hundred thousands came in in 1917. and 1918 and that they have not left the United States but are going from place to place where cheap labor is desired and where manufacturers or grovers- are specially calloused to. want to exploit this peon labor at the expense of natives. yes. and of decent Immigrants who come here to make their home and want to live up to the American standard. so that as long as the proponents of this measure permit the intolerable condition of the exploitation of cheap Mexican labor at starvation. wages then they can not be heard to say that.they are seeking to protect American wages and the American. standard of living. Let me point out some of the testimony given before the committee and received with a great deal of interest by the committee. Mr. W. i. Satterfleld appeared. He stated he was not a realestate promoter but interested In the development of the "alluvial territory along the Mississippi River and its tribur taries." To give you an idea. first of this gentlemans attitude toward immigrants. he states. and you will find his testimony on. page 1052 of the hearing: We believe there has been too much of the scum of Europe.. so to speak. to use the original expression. coming into this country. Then. again. he says. on page 105T: The reason we have been advocating a selective form ot immigration is because we made " survey of. these birds that come. over here." If you will pardon that. common expression. to see If we could. not induce them. I mention. these expressions to slow the attitude of this gentleman toward these very pohil that lie seeks to bring to his "alluvial territory" and tolls flic committee lie is noL a realestate promoter. This very " scum." these " birds" that he refers to. ought to be induced. lie asks. to go out to his territory.