American trade. and American commerce. Next came the proposals contained in measures pending before this Congress to exclude Filipinos from the United States. At the hearings conducted by the Committees on Immigration both of the House and of the Senate. the spokesmen of our people presented our respectful but firm protests. deeming Filipino exclusion illadvised. unnecessary. unjust. and unjustifiable. at least while you continue to hold sway over us. On this very floor I have made our stand absolutely clear. I said on previous occasions. and I say it now: If the people and Government of the United States wish to treat the Philippines as a foreign country for purposes of labor and immigration. you must first place us in the category of a foreign nation by granting us our freedom. The American Federation of Labor has been on record favoring Philippine independence for over 30 years. The voice of the Pacific coast through their authorizbd representatives has been heard on this floor advocating the prompt fulfillment of Americas pledge. If Congress should act without delay. it would satisfy the Filipino people fully. and it would solve the delicate question of Filipino immigration. give added protection to American labor. and relief to American unemployment. and comfort to the States that are so greatly agitated over the Filipinos coming to continental United States. This session is grappling with the question of relief to the present distress and suffering because of the recent drought. because of economic depression. and because of widespread unemployment. This session is busily engaged in the different appropriations for the several departments of the American Government and for the various activities which are calculated to ameliorate conditions which are admittedly deplorable.
Keywords matched
Immigration immigration