Speech #720142036

Now. addressing myself immediately to the subject before us. as I said before. we Republicans favor the passage of this bill. It does not mean much of anything. but it does no serious harm. I hope everybody will vote for it so that we can accomplish the passage of at least one immigration bill during this session of Congress. The passage of this bill is desired by the State Department. for it will assist them in administering the law. There seem to have been some court decisions that affect the admission of treaty merchants. This bill will confine the activities of these immigrant merchants to "trade between the United States and the foreign State from which they come." It will prevent them carrying on trade promiscuously with other countries. Also. it will relieve the department from being bound under treaties that were existing on or before 1924. but will permit a change of the regulations in accordance with subsequent treaties as they may be entered into. The State Department recommends the passage of this bill. and I for one wish to assist the State Department when I can without letting down the bars to additional immigrants when we have now a great problem to handle our large number of deserving unemployed.