Speech #680201574

I demolish his argument in order that I might 1)e fair to the gentlemen of this House. It is not to be supposed that If thus argue because I am il auy way favoring this bill. I am opposed. also. to this bill because you reduce the expense of American travelers and you put the entire burden upon immigrants. The hearings disclose that the total 1924 revenue from vis~s of passports was $3.700.000. with a profit of $1.500.000. Tile profit came mostly. from the immigrants. A fee of $10 placed upon a person who is to becolne a resident and a citizen of this country at the inception of his coning into this country. to my mind. is most oppressive. it is irksome and it does not make a better immigrant. If it had the effect of giving a mlan a better character or of giving a man better ability. mentally. physically. or morally. I would say make it $100. but you do not exercise any selection by merely (barging $10. and when you put that burden upon him you do hinder and oppress him upon the very threshold of his career as an immigrant and future citizen. The burden is all the more illtolerable when you realize that in addition to the $10 you charge also a head tax of $8. making a total of $18. which the immigrant can ill afford to pay. I say. furthermore. the purpose you have il mind will not be served. and why? If you will read on page 14 of the hearings. you will see that the gentleman from Texas I Mr. CONNALLY] asked this very significant question: "Would they not say. We will not reduce our fees to visitors from the United States if you still charge immigrants $10. " That is the crux of the situation. Germany. England. Sweden. and all the other continental nations of Europe are interested in their nationals. and if you are going to charge the immigrant. as you do in the 1924 law. $10 for a visd. those countries will say to the Presidentand you give him a sort of club over their heads by this bill-" Reduce the fees to our immigrants. otherwise we will not treat with you concerning reduction of vis6 fees to American travelers. we are mainly concerned with our nationals who go to the United States as immigrants. You do not propose to relieve them of any burdensome tax. why should we relieve your rich globetrotters of any $10 visd fees?" For that reason you will not bring about the desired results in this bill. To no avail. therefore. you give power to the President to reduce the visC fees after lie nmy or may not be LXVI252 able to enter into reciprocal relations with foreign nations concerning travelers and temporary emigrants. Give the President full power to negotiate concerning travelers as well as immigrants. then the main purpose will be served and I shall then vote for this rule and the bill. In due course I shall offer suitable ameldmuents to the bill. Mr.