WESTERN HEMISPHERE IMMIGRATION 355

Mr. Stout. Yes, sir. So far as buying what they need is concerned,
 I could not say; but I know the laborers are compelled to
board with these companies.
Mr. ScuneipeR. I regret I did not hear all your testimony. However,
 if you wish to give it, I should like to have your views in relation
 to the Filipino situation in the West, with which you are doubtless
 familiar.
Mr. Stout. I am not-so familiar with the Filipino situation. I
mave not been in the West very much. I heard the statement made
here what some people think about them, but aside from that I
know nothing.
The CuarrMAaN. Mr. Schneider, inasmuch as we have a bill on that
subject, I suggest that we not go into it this morning.
Mr. Scunewer. Very well, I will not press it.
Mr. Ruraerrorp. Were negroes and white Americans employed
in the maintenance-of-way work on railroads in Texas at one time?
Mr. Strout. Very largely, ves. They were so employed in large
numbers. I will not say for sure about Texas, because I was not
there until last year. I made 15 points in Texas last year, and, of
course, you know what I saw there.
Mr. Box. Please tell us what you saw in Texas on that trip.
Mr. Stour. I did not see anything but Mexicans working in the
maintenance-of-way department, except foremen and once in a while
in the gang they had an apprenticed foreman who was a white man.
Mr. Box. I was born in the State of Texas and I remember when
a great part of that work was done by the colored people, but it is
being done by Mexicans now.
Mr. Stout. They have eliminated the ordinary working negro
from those roads.
Mr. RuraErForp. And that tendency is spreading throughout the
North and the West, is it not?
Mr. Stout. It is. Mexicans are working on the Great Northern
Railroad in Montana. In fact, there is hardly a place where one
does not find them.
The CualrRMAN. I understand that you represent the brotherhoods
and other organizations pertaining to railroad work?
Mr. Stout. Yes, sir. I said I was speaking for the four legislative
representatives of the transportation organizations and quoted a
resolution passed by the presidents of all the organizations in favor of
restricted immigration.
The CrairMaN. You refer to the so-called Big Four brotherhoods
and others?
Mr. Stout. Yes, sir; there are 21 of them.
The CuarrMaN. And you feel that you fully represent them in a
desire for further restriction of immigration?
Mr. Stout. Yes, sir; I am very sure of that.
The Cuarrman. If there are no further questions, and the gentleman
 has nothing further to tell us, let us hear the next witness.
We are very much oblized to you for your statement, Mr. Stout.