432 WESTERN HEMISPHERE IMMIGRATION:

quota angle, which is restrictive but gives us the future problem merely in smaller
form.”
In my contacts with reliable American citizens throughout the Southwest I
have been asked repeatedly if it would not be possible to exclude the Mexicans
under the ineligibility provisions of the act of 1924.
Frequently I have asked this question of Americans thoroughly familiar with
the problem of Mexican immigration into this country: “Assuming it is to be
done, in your opinion what is the hest and most practical method of restricting
such immigration?”
Only a relatively small percentage have stated that the problent.can be solved
satisfactorily through a rigid application of existing statutory provisions. = Such
persons have usually been members of chambers of commerce or otherwise
interested in the efforts to prevent the restriction of Mexican immigration for
financial reasons.
Relative to this point the Secretary of Labor, Hon. James J. Davis, stated in
a letter to Senator W. J. Harris under date of December 28,.1928: “In connection
with the marked increase during the years 1923 and 19024 it may be noted -that
numbers (of Mexicans) multiplied in spite of the fact that every feasible attempt
was being made to bring about a more strict enforcement of the law on the
border, and the increased immigration in those years is simply another indication
of the fact that the provisions of the law relative to illiteracy, physical condition,
ete., afford no adequate harriers so far as numbers are concerned. The sharp:
decline in the fiscal year 1925 is due largely to the visa and other requirements
of the immigration act of 1924, which considerably increased the cost of immigration
 to the individual immigrant, but it is obvious that even this has nok
been effective in subsequent years.”
The Secretary of Labor stated that 62,709 Mexicans entered this country legally
in 1923. In 1924 the number was 87,648. In 1925 the number was 32,378.
ig then the legal entries have heen as follows: 1926, 42,638; 1927, 66,766: 1928.
57,765.
The Secretary of Labor stated emphatically that the present “quality ’’ re--strictions
 are being enforced. It would seem, therefore, that the problem can not
be solved in the manner indicated by those opposed to numerical restriction of
immigration from the nonquota countries. Existing conditions should be sufficient
 proof to establish this point.
The vast majority of those replying to my query have stated that Mexicans and
immigrants from the other nonquota countries should be put on the same quota
basis as that applied to European immigration. This seems to be the general
consensus of opinion throughout the entire Southwest,
Furthermore, a surprisingly large number of persons have stated that these
immigrants should be excluded entirely in the same manner that Asiatics are excluded,
 viz, under the ineligibility provisions in the act of 1924. Many have
favored the combination of the ineligibility provision and the quota restriction
basis. - If this were done, then the latter plan would, of course, apply only to those
who could prove themselves to be eligible for admission under the former provision
as it is stated in the act of 1924. I am personally convinced that those ineligible
for citizenship in all countries should be excluded from admission into this country.
This should apply to Filipinos as well as Mexicans and immigrants from Latin
and South American countries, viz, to the nonquota countries in general. Furthermore,
 these countries should be placed on a quota basis and sufficient money
appropriated to create an effective border patrol; for only by closing the back
door can we secure the full benefits of our present restrictive program that can and
will mean so much to our national welfare.
That these benefits deserve every effort possible to make them secure and
permanent is evident from a statement made by the Secretary of Labor, Hon.
James J. Davis, in an address on August 28, 1929, before the annual State camp,
Patriotic Order Sons of America, at Pittsburgh, Pa.
‘‘ We owe to restrictive immigration more than to any other one thing the present
 prosperity and economic stability of our country. The position we have
attained in industrial and business development is now the envy of the rest of the
world. I will not say it is due wholly to restrictive immigration, but I will say
this—that without our new immigration policy, no other effort that our best
business ‘genius could make would have given us this prosperity. Without
restricted immigration everything else would have failed. = Without it no constructive
 measure could even have got a start. For without restriction of immigration
 and with great tides of aliens coming to us throughout every year, we
should have witnessed an appalling competition for jobs. Millions. would have