Speech #700027972

I herewith insert in the RECO D an eloquent and patriotic address delivered by the Hon. ROBEXT ALlMIS GREEN. Representative of the second congressional district of Florida. over the radio on January 27. 1928. discussing the subject Immigration and the Crime Wave. The address is instructive. entertaining. and worthy of the careful consideration of the Nation. The address is as follows: Friends and citizens of America. the subject of immigration is so wide In its scope that it will be impossible for me to give a detailed discussion of It in the short time which I will talk to you this evening. however. it Is one of the most important subjects now affecting the citizenship of our great Nation. A high order of citizenship is vital to any nation. A nations strength in itself and its power and position In the affairs of other nations is established and maintained solely by the stable type of citizenship comprising it. Our Constitution vested In the Congress the power to regulate and control immigration. However. the subject of immigration was vainly attempted to be regulated by treaty up until about the year 1882. when the American Government tried to settle the Chinese question by a treaty In which it was recited that the right of races to migrate was Inherent and inalienable. This was to apply as between the Chinese millions and the United States. Thus it was found Imperative that the United States should pass her first Immigration law. The influx of aliens grew steadily until by the year 1907 the high peak was reached with the admission of 1.285.349 persons. This alarming situation brought about the passage of the illiteracy test act In 1917. which only retarded slightly the great influx of foreign hordes. In 1910. 1.041.570. in 1913. 1.197.892. and In 1914. 1.218.480 entered. The abnormal conditions during the World War period. of course. directed the attention of the world In channels other than that of Immigration. but soon after the World Warduring the reconstruction periodagain immigrants by the hundreds of thousands turned their eyes and hopes toward the United States. causing the necessity of the 1921 numerical control act. This act was found inadequate to cope with the situation. and on May 26. 1924. Congress made its third effort to limit the annual influx of aliens. The immigration department of our Goverlnent is now working rather effetively under the provisions of this and subsequent acts of Congress. but in spite of all efforts of Congress and the diligence of immigration officials there are today in the United States probably 16.000.000 persons of foreign birth. 7.000.000 of whom are not American citizens. Thus you will see the necessity of all efforts at the restriction of immigration.