Speech #700124904

Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee. S. 4425. which I introduced June 8 last. seeks to amend sections 11 and 12 of the Immigration law of 1924. The amendment is in the form of a redraft of said sections. The object of this amendment is to repeal the socalled " national origin " method of determining the annual immigration quota from each country to take effect July 1. 1927. as set forth In paragraph (b) said section 11. so that thereafter the annual quota of immigrants from any country shall continue to be the same as at present. viz. 2 per cent of the number of foreignborn individuals of such nationality resident in continental United States as determined by the United States census of 1890. In redrawing said sections 11 and 12. I have endeavored to eliminate therefrom all that relates to the "national origin " provisions. both in regard to the numerical limitations and also in regard to the administration of the immigration law. but to retain therein all that relates to the administration of the law under the quota as provided for in paragraph (a). section 11. My reason for asking for the elimination of the " national origin" method to determine the quota of each country is that I find that we have not sufficient official or other data upon which to determine the quota of each country upon this basis and that It would lead to discrimination between different nationalities. which Is just what Congress diligently endeavored to avoid in passing the immigration act of 1924. I might say also that the reason I voted against the immigration law when it came back from the House and from the conference is because I began to have an Inkling of where this would lead us. I have given considerable study to the matter since. and I have come to the conclusion. and I think every one of you who look into it will come to the conclusion. that there Is no basis upon which this can be reckoned to determine what Is the " national origin" of the various groups. Therefore the yardstick by which we measure under this provision is not based on anything about which we have exact information. The purpose of the " national origin" plan is to divide all immigrants exactly in accordance with the " national origin" of our population so as to eliminate charges of discrimination. If this could be done. it might be an Ideal plan. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of said section 11 read as follows: "(b) The annual quota of any nationality for the fiscal year beginning July 1. 1927. and. for each fiscal year thereafter. shall be a number which bears the same ratio to 150.000 as. the number of inhabitants In continental United States In 1920 having that national origin (ascertained as hereinafter provided in this section) bears to the number of inhabitants [ in continental United States in 1920. but the minimum quota of any nationality shall be 100. "(c) For the purpose of subdivision (b) national origin shall be ascertained by determining as nearly as may be. in respect of each geographical area which under section 12 is to be treated as a separate country (except the geographical areas specified in subdivision (c) of section 4) the number of inhabitants in continental United States in 1920 whose origin by birth or ancestry is attributable to such geographical area. Such determination shall not be made by tracing the ancestors or descendants of particular individuals. but shall be based upon statistics of immigration and emigration. together with rates of increase of population as shown by successive decennial United States censuses. and such other data as may be found to be reliable." It will be seen from the above that the most important element in this determination is " statistics of immigration and emigration." The next Important element is " rates of increase of population as shown by successive decennial United States censuses." As reliable statistics of immigration and emigration are not in existence the whole plan fails and leaves the determination to mere guesswork or conjecture. Senator REED. In the absence of statistics. you say?