WESTERN HEMISPHERE IMMIGRATION 247

Representatives concerning proposed quota legislation for the Western Hemisphere:
 Now, therefore,
Be ii resolved, That before any quota legislation be passed by the Congress of
the United States, a fact-finding commission be appointed, preferably by the
President, to make a thorough investigation of the common agricultural-labor
situation in the United States. Said commission to report its findings to the
President, who shall report these findings to Congress with his recommendations;
and be it further ‘
Resolved, That due to the fact there is now pending before the House Immigration
 Committee two or more bills having for their purpose the placing of a
quota on Western Hemisphere countries, copies of this resolution be immediately
 forwarded to such Government officials and departments as may be deemed
necessary.

AmerIicAN FrRuUiT &amp; VEGETABLE SHIPPERS ASSOCIATION.
The CrairMaN. Where did that idea start? Who is the originator
of the fact-finding commission idea?
Mr. Free. I understand, Mr. Chairman, that it was originated
by the Farm Board, and that is one reason I would like to see it.
Mr. Box. It started before there was a Farm Board. I beg pardon
for interrupting.
The Cuairman. I mean the present one.
Mr. Free. I may be wrong as to this, but I understand, Mr.
Chairman, the chairman of the Farm Board asked Senator McNary
to introduce that resolution, and I would like to ask now, before
these hearings close, that the chairman of the Farm Board be asked
to come before this committee.
y The Cuarrman. That has been done. A letter has been written to
im,
Mr. EsterLy. What is the value per acre of this land where
they raise these cantaloupes?
Mr. Moore. It runs from about $125 to $175 per acre. In the
irrigated districts of Imperial Valley and Salt River Valley, Ariz, I
imagine $225 would probably be the average.
Mr. EsterLy. Would that also be the value of the land where they
raise this lettuce?
Mr. Moore. Yes, lettuce is raised on the same land.
Mr. EsturLy. A’gentleman here the other dav said that land down
there was valued at $2,000 an acre.
Mr. Moore. They referred to citrus land. }
Mr. EsterLy. Is any of that embraced in this land that you
represent?
Mr. Moore. Yes; we have grapefruit land that is probably worth
that much. You see, that represents from six to eight years of work
and cultivation of those lands before they start to bring an income.
Citrus land around Los Angeles Countv and that territory sells as
high as $3,000 an acre. }
Mr. EsterLy. Would it be possible to give us a cross section of the
profits made by some of these planters down there?
Mr, Moore. I will say this, that the cross section for the past
5 years in the cantaloupe industry has been in the red.
Mr. EsterLy. How do they manage to get along?
Mr. Moore. For the simple reason that these large companies
have had to take the matter over and handle it, and they have to
finance the growers. } i
Mr. EsterLy. How can they continue to finance them if there is
no profit made? Who backs them up?