Speech #680087019

The gentleman can take my word for it that it is not too large. Soon we hope to see some new immigration legislation coming before the House. if our committee can find time and obtain authority from this House for bringing out a bill for the protection of our borders. in the form of a joint patrol. to keep out the foot and mouth disease. or the animal diseases. the diseases of plants. for the enforcement of the quarantine law. for the protection of the public health. for the protection of the customs service. and for the protection of immigration service. and for half a dozen other services. We Intend to have a combined control. and we intend. if we have the power. or If Members will see it as I see it. and will be able to get the Committee on Appropriations to agree. to see to it that a border patrol. to enforce a dozen or more laws on the border. is equipped with automobiles. horses. even airplanes. We are through with this surreptitious entrance of aliens into the United States in violation of the laws of the United States. and the wanton breaking of other laws on our land borders. north and south. Our committee has given this a great deal of time and thought. We have figured it at a million dollars. I say now that immigration has been highly profitable to the Treasury of the United States. Everybody knows that. Our committee raised the head tax from $6 to $8. The poorly paid immigration inspectors are now begging for a chance to earn a little overtime money. paid to them indirectly by the steamship companies. I beliee such a provision is in the immigration restriction bill now pending in another body. We do not think the principle is right. That is not the way the United States should pay its employees. We want this additional money for more border help. and also that when an immigration inspector in this service works for 20 hours at a stretch. as they frequently do at Ellis Island and elsewhere. they may have a decent layoff even if they do not receive an extra dollar. But we want them properly and sufficiently paid. They art scrupulously honest. as a rule. against the most terrible temptations. as well as the most pitiful appeals that the human heart can utter.