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WESTERN HEMISPHERE IMMIGRATION

Mr. Brower. Mr. Bent made a statement for the committee
which I simply desire to indorse. I would like to emphasize this
point, that the United States Chamber of Commerce is disposed to
scrutinize immigration. It appreciates the fact that we do not want
our American people to deteriorate socially, and we do not want to
get into a bad political snarl.
The CrarmaN. Did not the United States Chamber of Commerce
go on record as against the 1924 restrictive immigration act?
~ BrEWER. 1 was not on the committee at that time.
?ax. Well; they did.
«+... BREWER. May I say, in conclusion, that with matters touchmg
 immigration always before us, the United States Chamber of
Commerce has to consider (and I think we all should) existing
economic conditions. Business apparently in the West views this
particular quota method of restricting immigration with some doubt.
So, the United States Chamber of Commerce, which is itself ready,
if I am right, to see proper restrictions enforced, questions whether
the quota restriction is desirable.
The CratrmMaN. The United States Chamber of Commerce is big
enough so that its eye can see from the unemployment situation in
New England to the coast and the Mountain States, where there is
opportunity for people to live, when they are crowded out of New
England, and the United States Chamber of Commerce wants them
to live up to American standards and live well.
Mr. Brewer. It is good business.
The Cmairman. Yes; certainly, and cheap labor makes a cheap
country. Unless you have a particular statement you desire to
make, can you give us a statement about unemployment in New
England?
Mr. Brewer. I understand from the Department of Labor that
there is very little unemployment in New England. 1 doubt whether
the facts submitted by the Department of Labor are correct.
The Cuarrman. Then, there is unemployment.
Mr. Brewer. Yes.
The Crarrman. How about Lynn, Mass.?
Mr. Brewer. I do not know.
The CrarrmaN. What cities could you mention?
Mr. BREwER. I presume the textile centers where there have been
shifts and changes.
The CratrmMaN. Name three or four places for us.
Mr. Brewer. Well, Lawrence, Lowell, Fitchburg, and New
Bedford.
The Crairman. And Fall River?
Mr. Brewer. Yes; Fall River. Those are all textile centers.
They have been changing and shifting the character of their work.
The Cuairman. What is happening with them?
Mr. Brewrr. Going into other industries.
The CratrmaN. Is not the population being crowded out?
Mr. BREwER. There has been some shifting of population, but it
is an extraordinary fact that a great many of the recent foreign
element is sticking around those cities and waiting for other
employment.
The CratrmMaN. Do you think they are able to move to the textile
industry of the South?