Speech #710270762

The reason I ask is this: I do not know that it is particularly the duty of the Committee on Immigration to try to get a proper balance between the employees of the Immigration Service in the Labor Department so that it would compare with similar service by employees in the Department of State. It so happens that this hardworking subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriationsand I think they have too much to do. too many departments looked after in one billhandles the appropriations for both State and Labor Departments. To pass legislation that would bring the Labor Department employees up to a status similar to that of the State Department employees. the House Committee on Immigration has from time to time reported bills and had them placed on the calendar of the House. There is no way. however. to get them up on the floor except by a rule. by suspension of the rules. or by unanimous consent. It so happens that the last Calendar Wednesday call of this Committee on Immigration and Naturalization occurred on April 5. 1922think of itnine years ago. The committee has been recognized by rule occasionally in that long period covering more than four Congresses. and has been recognized for suspensions on some bill. but the important but minor legislative proposals that would correct the inequalities in these services. straighten up some situations in naturalization. some important matters in deportation acts. as well as needed changes in immigration laws which are apparent to almost everybody and for which we are frequently criticized as a committee for failure to act. can never be gotten up because such bills can not be passed by unanimous consent. Therefore we are dependent pretty largely upon the Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations to bring about such adjustments as seem to be necessary in the matter of pay and privileges of the two departments. even if that does strain the rule which limits legislation on appropriation bills.