Speech #720142032

I appreciate the gentlemans interest. We appeared before the Committee on Rules. Nearly all of the members of the Immigration Committee were there. and apparently nearly all of them were in favor of the immediate passage of the Moore bill to restrict immigration by 90 per cent. Bills liberalizing and weakening our immigration laws have obtained consideration. and yet we do not have a rule for the consideration of the Moore bill. I think the Rules Committee should at once give us a rule and permit us to pass the Moore bill. the substance of which passed the House a year ago. The bill has been introduced and has been favorably reported by the Committee on Immigration. I firmly believe a large majority of the Members would vote for it if they had a chance to do it. It is highly important that we further restrict immigration. We have enough creeds. and colors. and aliens in our midst now. We have some splendid American citizens of foreign birth. and some others of foreign birth who will make good American citizens. but I believe all will agree with me that at least during the present emergency immigration to the United States should be entirely stopped. I think we should stop it entirely for a period of at least five or ten years. This is not the time to weaken the immigration laws. but it is the time to enforce the ones that we have. and to pass further laws restricting immigration. because we have probably over 8.000.000 persons unemployed. Aliens. many of them. sooner or later seek employment. and it is not fair to permit aliens to enter and take positions so badly needed by American citizens. It is my desire to protect Americans and American labor.