Speech #820209504

S. 2550. is to perpetuate that inequity. and its adoption would be a masterpiece of folly. Since 1929. for example. the annual quota of every nationality has been fixed at a number which bears the same ratio to 150.000 as the number of inhabitants In the continental United States in 1920 having that national origin bears to the total white population of the United States on the same date. In other words. by the Immigration Act of 1924. Congress fixed the figure of i50.000 as an approximation of the number of immigrants whom this country could readily absorb and whose presence would serve the national interest. When the formula set forth in the law is applied. however. more than 65.000 quota numbers are assigned to Great Britain and North Ireland. where there is little pressure on the part of the natives to come to America. while correspondingly few quota numbers are assigned to those nations whose inhabitants have the greatest incentive to emigrate. thus presenting a situation that out of the 150.000 allowed to come. nearly 126.000 quota numbers are allotted to 12 northern and western European countries. and scarcely 25.000 to 18 southern and eastern European countries. Because of this situation. which I call international gerrymandering. a large portion of the authorized quotas has never been used. As a matter of fact. during the 27 years the national origins system has been in effect. only 44 percent of the possible quota immigrants actually have been admitted into this country. Such conditions have prevented many individuals anxious to gain admission into the United States from so doing and have deprived this country of many persons who could have made material contributions to our manpower potential. productive capacity. and varied culture. It is time. therefore. that we faced up to the truth that the Immigration Act of 1924. in terms of its announced purposes. has proved to be wholly inadequate. Instead of allowing immigration up to 150.000 persons annually. the figure thought to be appropriate. in practical operation the law has reduced the number of persons entering the United States for permanent residence far below that total to a point which. in many instances. is very much below the intended mark. Section 201 (a) of S. 2550 substitutes a mechanically simplified formula for the one now in existence. by providing that each quota be onesixth of 1 percent of the number of inhabitants in the continental United States in 1920 attributable by national origin to that quota area. This in effect does not change the situation as it now exists. a fact which is attested to in the majority report of the committee. This is my chief criticism of this bill. If we are to codify our immigration statutes. it seems to me that the first order of business should be a correction of such a glaring inconsistency with the objectives of the earlier act. and the elimination of arbitrary and discriminatory barriers set up against certain people. I am proud to state that the legislature of my own State recognized this inquity and injustice. and. by a formal memorial resolution to Congress. has recommended that any comprehensive immigration legislation adopted at this time include a provision making the unused quota numbers in any fiscal year available during the following fiscal year to immigrants. in order of priority. who are native to countries whose quotas are oversubscribed.