Speech #690170823

There is a long recital of certain orders made during previous years under a preceding administration in which certain provisions of the law were set aside under a claim of necessity and authority from the existence of the World War and conditions following it. These orders began and continued before I became a Member of Congress. and some of them overlapped my service. Congressional authority was sought during my first term of service here for setting aside the head tax. the literacy test. and the contract labor laws to admit Mexican peon laborers. I opposed that action in extended statements before the committee and otherwise. as appears from my statements appearing in the committee hearings of February 2. 1920. page 299. May 13. 1920. page 3. and subsequent thereto. from which I would quote at length. if space permitted. I also appeared before the Senate committee in opposition to the movement. as will appear in their hearings on the same subject during the same session of Congress. Insufficient and loose legislation. much laxness. and some dishonesty in enforcement. and lawlessness among labor importers. has created a dangerous and shameful condition on the Mexican border against which I have protested because of insufficient immigration laws applicable to Mexico and because of bad enforcement of such laws as we.have. regardless of whose administration has been at fault. When those now in charge of the enforcement of this law try to justify their action by referring to former conditions. they only accentuate the need of courage and faithfulness in efforts to enforce these important laws and their own unfaithfulness. when. without even the excuse or pretense of wartime necessity. they enter into one of the most shameless arrangements which has existed. As a further effort to justify what the department has done and failed to do.