Mr. Speaker. an organization composed of American citizens of German birth or descent. known as the Steuben Society of America. is waging a vigorous campaign for the amendment of the immigration act of 1924. The society is composed of representative and highclass citizens and its propaganda is dignified and expressed In a reasonable tone. That propaganda is. however. a complete mistake and is based upon a total misunderstanding of the facts of the case. The amendment advocated is one which would prevent the going into effect of the new basis of Immigration quota calculation known as the "National Origins Method." which. according to the language of the statute. Is to become operative July 1. 1927. The amendment proposes to continue permanently the present method. based on the census of 1890. which the act intended to be temporary and to continue only until the Census Bureau should have had time to work out the other plan. The matter will not be entirely clear without explanation. even to Members of Congress. unless they have had opportunity to follow the several steps of restrictive immigration legislation. Doubtless it Is the lack of such opportunity which has caused tho members of the Steuben Society to get so completely off the track. But to those who are in the least familiar with the recent development of immigration policy of the United States there is one fact which stands out as clearly as any fact can possibly stand out. and that Is that far from discriminating against or In favor of any racial group. Congress has endeavored to treat them all with the most evenhanded justice. When the removal of the last remaining vestige of discrimination is the purpose of the very provision of which the Steuben Society complains. the charge that that provision is discriminatory is one which ought to be promptly and emphatically refuted.
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Immigration immigration