National origins provision of immigration law

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 1796380105

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-196168

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: National origins provision of immigration law

Place of publication:: Washington

Publisher:: Gov. Pr. Off.

Year of publication:: 1929

Scope:: III, 171 S

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

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Chapter

Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Statement of John B. Trevor, National Immigration Restriction Conference, New York City

Collection:: Economics Books

NATIONAL ORIGINS PROVISION OF IMMIGRATION LAW 47 nan who arrived before 1890; or who is descended from colonial tock. It is simply the question of a high principle of equity and justice as against, if I may say so, politics. Possibly 1 am unjust to go so far as that, but it is an impression which I am compelled to fake from a study of a great deal of material which has been brought to my attention. } Senator Reep, How long have you been studying this immigration question, Captain T revor ? Mr. Trevor. 1 think immediately after I left the Army, Senator, { began to study it intensively. For nearly six months preceding that time I was in-charge of the intelligence service of the Army in New York City, and it was my duty to get into intimate touch with ‘he social conditions and observe political reactions that developed among the people. I was not simply engaged in hunting down per- ons who were supposed to be affiliated with the enemy powers, but generally watching the subversive movement and all that; and in that connection I became convinced that if some of our political problems were to be successfully solved, immigration would have to be greatly curtailed. I may say that after leaving the Army I was wequested by officials of the chamber of commerce to present to them a general viewpoint of the situation; and shortly afterwards that body—which I may also add always acts like a town meeting; no small committee ever dictates the policy of the chamber; it is solely by reports distributed to all members and then voted upon in open meeting—made a determination that, in spite of the economic ideas of some people, that they would benefit by cheap labor, that the national ‘nterests demand a rigid restriction upon immigration, and from that date onward I have been more or less closely identified with the study of this subject. My connection with the chamber of commerce makes me familiar with the members’ attitude on the immigration question, and they completely subordinate any economic consideration to national welfare. I would like, Mr. Chairman, to deal with the arguments which have been presented against the national-origins provision rather than with any of the motives which impel certain organizations that have been developed in this country to propose that 1t be postponed; and I feel that, without any reflection upon any Member of Congress, that further postponement is merely a prelude to an effort to repeal. It has been asserted, Mr. Chairman, that this national-origins provisions is unworkable. Well, of course, to say that is to make an assertion, because it is not an argument. The 1910 census, which differed radically and distinctly from the .1890 census, a foreign- born’ basis worked. But I think you will agree with me that it was within the power of Congress to enact any schedule of quotas which it may see fit. It lies in your power to be just or unjust; but [ am perfectly convinced from my connection with various Members of Congress that it Is their desire to be just, and for that reason the Senate took a very strong stand for the adoption of the national- origins provisions in 1924. Senator Lodge at that time—I trust I am not being indiscreet in quoting him? Senator Reep. Not at all.

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