Speech #680107877

I agree that this is a domesti question which Congress alone has power to decide. and fron its decision there Is no appeal. I agree with that. but. Mr President. back in 1907 the "gentlemens agreement" was made. it was recognized by Congress. for in the immigration law of that year the conferees put in a proviso which recog nized the "gentlemens agreement." A point of order wa made against it here. but It was held to be in order because th conferees were dealing with a bill that had been amended by cohplete substitute and the conferees themselves wrote a corn plete substitute bill. The then Vice President held that it was in order for th conferees to put In a proviso relating to the "gentlemen agreement." although neither House had done so on the orig inal passage of the legislation. Then the measure went to th House of Representatives. the same point of order was raise there. and Speaker Cannon. one of the ablest parliamentarian who has presided over the House for many years. sustaine the action of the conferees and overruled the point of orde So in both Houses the exact action of the conferees in thi case has been sustained on a point of order made to a immigration bill with a proviso relating to the gentlemen agreement." Therefore. it is not in any sense an open an shut question on the point of order.