WESTERN HEMISPHERE IMMIGRATION 259

stantial contribution to the citizenship of our country. Our desire
is to put them in a position where they will be looked upon as the
remainder of the races of the world.
The CrarrmMaN. You have heard the testimony here from several
witnesses that they rather dislike some of those that come to the
United States and want to own property. They prefer the Mexican,
because he is more docile and is not so aggressive by way of demanding
 better wages.. The Mexicans usually take the wage that is
offered them.
Mr. Garza. Probably that is true. .
The Crarrman. Is that all right with you?
Mr. Garza. Yes, sir. .
The CuarrMaN. You are willing that the Mexican should own
property here?
Mr. Garza. No, sir. I believe this, your honor, that. if a man is
capable of going up through education, he is as much entitled to the
benefits of society as the other man.
The CuairmaN. Is your society trying to raise them up?
Mr. Garza. Yes, sir. Men that before did not even care to speak
the English language are to-day attending night schools. A great
number of Mexican citizens have been in this country for many
years and who have children and grandchildren are applying for their
citizenship papers. The boys and girls of the present generation are
attending business colleces. Why, because they have learned
different.
Another thing, gentlemen, I desire to avail myself of this opportunity
 to make a few remarks in connection with the proposed quota
bill. From an economic standpoint the restriction of Mexican labor
would, IT am certain, be a tremendous blow to south Texas generally.
Aside from being very efficient and law-abiding residents, their labor
is irreplacable. They can not be replaced by laborers of Anglo-Saxon
 extraction, because the latter do not feel inclined to do the type
of work performed by the former, such as grubbing, pick and shovel
work, cotton picking, and so forth. The climatic conditions are such
that no other white race can stand it. In fact, the general conditions
are such that we must gather our crops almost overnight, as I may say,
in order not to lose money, which means that we must have plenty of
labor available at the time our crops are harvested. i
So, gentlemen, I will say in conclusion that I sincerely believe
that in order to give justice where justice belongs, you ought to have
a series of conferences throughout that country before you act.
The Crairman. That is a very nice statement, and we thank you
for it.
Mr. Garza. Thank you, sir. oo
The CratkmMaN. What is you business, if I may inquire?
Mr. Garza. I am in the restaurant business.
The Cratrman. Were you born in the United States? .
Mr. Garza. Yes, sir; I have lived in south Texas all my life. I
have one of the leading restaurants in Corpus Christi, and what I
have done by hard work all these years I am afraid I would lose if
we did not have sufficient labor to gather our crops. In other words,
[ fear that if this source of labor 1s cut off, everything I have made