Speech #710179637

With the shutting out of the Chinese and Japanese those who desired cheap labor found another great source in Mexico. and literally thousands and thousands of Mexicans were brought in to supply that need. When we shut off the Mexican laborers and make it impossible to bring them from Mexico. or others from South and Central America. the tremendous supply of cheap labor to meet the demand will then come from the Philippine Islands. The amendment does not propose a quota upon the Philippines. for they are under the control of the United States. but it does propose to designate certain consular officers. as provided in the immigration law. who may act to control the migration of people from the Philippines who come here as laborers. This does not prevent the coming of students. it does not prevent the coming of travelers. it does not prevent the coming of those who are engaged in business. but it will give the consular officials of the Government the power to stop the great inrush of cheap labor that will come from the Philippine Islands with the adoption and enforcement of the measure known as the Harris bill. I believe that we on the Pacific coast are entitled to this protection.