20

WESTERN HEMISPHERE IMMIGRATION

Mr. Simmons. He distributes the quota by a uniform system.
The CramrMan. Does he make up the system?
Mr. Simmons. That is provided for by regulations of the State
Department.
The CrairmaN. Does he consult with the British Government?
Mr. Simmons. No, sir.
The CrairrMaN. How does the British quota apply, say, to British
born applying, say, from Montreal?
Mr. Stmmons. The distribution is made on a proportionate basis
according to the demand as furnished by each consulate for the
number in that country—that is, at London——-The
 CrarMAN (interposing). Made not by the British Government?

Mz. Simmons. No, sir; this Government.
The Crairman. This Government decides what pro rata shall be
given to Montreal of British born, the number in that pro rata?
Mr. Simmons. The consul general at London decides. In fact,
each of the 303 visa-issuing consulates in the world, where a demand
exists, furnishes him with a list showing the number of persons at
such consulates chargeable to that quota. He takes that list and
places it against the British quota and then finds the ratio upon which
he can make a uniform distribution to all consulates.
Mr. Box. Is that principle followed in all quota countries?
Mr. Simmons. That is the uniform system followed with all
quotas.
The CrairMaN. Now, have you a general statement which you
would like to make to the Immigration Committee?
Mr. Simmons. Yes, sir.
The CrarrMaN. If you will, proceed.
Mr. Simmons. With reference to the three bills under consideration,
 H. R. 8523, H. R. 8530, and H. R. 8702, placing the geographical
areas of the Western Hemisphere under the immigration quota
system, I wish to emphasize that the problem which they are designed
to meet is recognized as a serious one and that the Department of
State is very desirous of seeing a proper solution brought about.
I consider that it would be particularly inopportune to bring up at
the present time the objections to placing quotas on the American
countries through the anticipated adverse effect of such action on our
relations with those countries and on important business interests of
the United States abroad. In the first place, these considerations
are too well known to the committee to require further comment and,
secondly, it is recognized that while they should be given due weight
they should not be sufficient in themselves to prevent quota legisla-~
tion for the American countries if it should be conclusively established
 that the need for such a measure is so great as to outweigh its
disadvantages.
The problem, resolved into its simplest terms, is this: Are quotas on
the American countries necessary to achieve the degree of restriction
desired? If this is shown to be the case, then legislation of the type
under. consideration would seem to be justified.
Leaving aside for the moment the other countries concerned, I
should like to mention the Mexican situation. Our census figures
show large increases in the Mexican-born residents of the United
States in recent decades up to 1920. The figures were 486,418 for
1920 as against 221.915 fer 1910 and 103.393 for 1900. Until the