78 WESTERN HEMISPHERE IMMIGRATION

The CuarrmaN. Would not the immigration committee of the great
United States Chamber of Commerce, which undertakes to feel the
public pulse, keep some touch, in a way, at least. with the American
Federation of Labor?
Mr. Bent. It seems to me the chamber would, but the chamber,
after all, is guided solely by the action of the membership.
The CaatkMaN. You are a member of the chamber?
Mr. BENT. Yes, sir. We have only started on this big subject.
The CuairmaNn. You understand Congress has been working
away at it for the past 40 vears, and only finally got something
through in 1924.
Myr. Bent. To put it briefly, the chamber felt, and the committee
feels that we have not yet sufficient reliable data on this very complicated
 and vexed and contradictory question from different parts
of the country. We did not have data enough to justify a resolution.
The Crairman. Does your chamber undertake to exert its
influences on other chambers of commerce in the United States?
Mr. Bent. It supplies them with information.
The Cramrman, Does it send out general literature?
Mr. Bent. To the entire public.
The Cratrman., On immigration?
Mr. Bent. It has issued informational pamphlets.
Mr. Green. should like to ask the gentleman if he knows whether
or not the sentiment in thé chamber of two vears ago is still the
prevailing feeling of the chamber?
Mr. Bent. There has been no contrary expression.
Mr. GREEN. It has been two years since they expressed themselves.
Mr. Bent. Yes, sir. The committee was instructed to follow up
ihe work as closely as it could and make its recommendations to the
oard.
Mr. GiBson. Just what do the committees do in reference to the
rollecting of information?
Mr. Bent. We spend all the money the chamber will allow us to
spend and then draw on other sources for information.
Mr. GissoN. How do you make an investigation?
Mr. Bent. We sent a representative of our committee through the
West where the Mexican problem is so acute and intimate, and he
spent a great many weeks traveling throughout the region, interviewing
 the sugar beet people, the Imperial Valley truckgrowers,
the social workers and public officials of the cities, and all others
interested.
Mr. GiBsoN. At no time did the United States Chamber of Commerce
 seek an expression from the general membership of the chambers
of commerce all over the United States on this particular question, or
on their desire at the present time?
Mr. Bent. At this time?
Mr. GiBson. Within the last two years.
Mr. Bent. In 1927 we sent out this resolution, and asked them to
vote on it.
Mr. Gisson. Three years ago?
Mr. Bent. Yes, sir. }
Mr. GiBson. Therefore, this committee that is acting now has no
idea of what the general membership, the business interests of the
country, are thinking about in reference to this question at the present
time.