102 NATION AL ORIGINS PROVISION OF IMMIGRATION LAW
Mr. Mowrrz. I would not say that, because I do not know. I do
not know, and if it should be that. they are entitled to their propor-
tion; fair proportion.
Senator Rupp. That is all we are trying to do with the national
origins; study it out.
Mr. Mowrrz. That is right, and I say that the national origins
theory in this act is not the right way to do it.
Senator Rep. What substitute do you suggest that is better ?
Mr. Mowtrz. For the time being, as far as tangible figures are
concerned, the census of 1890, because, according to all authorities.
it is the best available cross section.
Senator Rexp. For the time being, to what method shall we resort ?
Mr. Mowrrz. It is a question of time—it is a question of time, re-
search, and study, but, after all, Senator, you can study as much as
you want, and you can research as much as you want, and you will
not create or revive the records that were either never made or
destroyed.
Senator Rekp. As to the destruction of records, the population
shown in the 1790 census was 38,000, as I recall it. Are you familiar
with the studies made by the Council of Learned Societies to the effect
that records which were destroved by fire covered only 75.000
persons ?
Mr. Mowrrz. I have heard such a statement made. As I say, I
learned of this hearing three days ago, when I wired Senator John-
son, and I have not had opportunity to refresh my memory on it.
Senator Rep. If that 1s true, the effect of the fire was only to
destroy about 2 per cent of the records? }
Mr. Mowrrz. Now, Senator, before I get into a discussion of that,
I would have to have before me the underlying facts upon which
that statement has been made. .
Senator Reep. It has been testified to by other witnesses,
Mr. Mowrrz. Well, I did not have the bencfit of their substantia-
tion in the matter.
Senator Kine. Mr. Mowitz, I would like to ask a question: Do
you think by postponing the operation of this law for a year, less
or more, and further research work conducted, a better knowledge
of the subject could be obtained, which would lead to a juster law
than the one that is now upon the statute books?
Mr. Mowrrz. That is possible, sir. Furthermore, I think that the
elimination of this clause at this time and the enactment of a fair
and wise limitation on and distribution of immigration, relieving
it from the burden of this constant attack, will permit a dispas-
sionate study of the subject from all possible angles, rather than
spending your time here fighting men like myself or, rather, listen-
ing to men like myself, and others who have divergent views on
a matter which is not going to get us anywhere, and a matter which
is vital to the policy of the United States because it is a search for
the best method. I hope that the time will come when you gentle-
men will realize that the national origins theory is not the logical
way out of this situation.
Senator Brrase. Let me ask you a question, please, sir. I am from
South Carolina. We had Germans down there long ago who were
