We want skilled labor to do a specific thing. namely. to help us in the economical process of diversification and the introduction of new methods of farming. and we can not get those without providing a preference. Preference is essential. It will hurt nobody. because. if there is not a preference. anybody who wants to come can come if he can comply with the ordinary tests governing the admissibility of immigrants. I recognize the fact. Mr. President. that there is a scarcity of labor in some of the industries and in some of the trades. as well as in agriculture. We have by our present restrictions (upon immigration brought about a shortage of labor in a certain class of factories. especially In the industries which have heretofore recruited their labor. chiefly their common labor. from Italy and the countries of southern and eastern Europe. i There may at times be a scarcity of carpenters and plasterers and others. but this amendment will not prevent their coming in. for the proposed preference still leaves 50 per cent of the quota that may be filled by carpenters and plasterers who may desire to come to this country. The reason why the farmer is entitled to so large a preference as conl)ared with the industrial enterprises grows out of the fact that the industries under present conditions are supplying their shortage at the expense of the farmer. The farmer is not supplying his shortage at the expense of the factory.
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