Speech #800188365

I think in wisdom we must draw a distinction between those who were compelled to flee. who could not remain in safety. and those who migrated and moved simply because they felt they could improve their economic condition. That was the problem which brought about the enactment of the immigration laws. It exists as much today as it did prior to the war. The same problem arose after the First World War. but probably not to so great an extent as we have it today. But we had to meet a similar problem. and it brought about the enactment of our present Immigration laws. We found that we could not do as we did in years gone bysimply open up the gates. After 1918. 1.400.000 persons came into this country. That compelled us to enact our present immigration laws. I say to the Senate that if we adopt this amendment we shall not be adopting a displacedpersons bill. We shall be adopting an expansion of the immigration laws. because we are not confining it to displaced persons with a priority of 50 percent to those who are definitely displaced. We are bringing in persons who. in fact. are emigrants westward through Europe. Without going into further detail. Mr.