Speech #820211825

Mr. President. in the pending bill the national origins quota system. as contained in the 1924 act. which went into effect in 1929 is. in substanceand I emphasize the words "in substance"--continued without any substantial change. The total number of immigrants is to be approximately the same as before. although orientals previously excluded are now admitted in a limited manner. The eminent chairman of the committee stated on the floor of the Senate on Friday that the number was to be increased. It is true that the total number to be admitted under this bill according to the committee report would be 154.657. whereas the total number under the National Origins Act was 154.277. In other words. there has been an increase of approximately 400 in the total number to be admitted. This is 400 more than the 154.277 which would have been admitted under the National Origins Act. but in terms of percentage. that is only onequarter of 1 percent. or. in reality. an infinitesimal increase. For all substantial purposes the total number remains the same as before. because the formula. by reference back to the 1924 act. is tied to the 1929 national origins figure. It is based upon onesixth of 1 percent of the white population of the country in 1920. with certain further deductions. which are thrown in.