126 NATIONAL ORIGINS PROVISION OF IMMIGRATION LAW
scended. From such founders and patriots we have inherited a sys-
tem of government, deserving perpetuation through time. |
May I call the attention of this committee to resolutions wifich
have been passed by the legislative body of the National Society, of
the Daughters of the American Revolution, namely, Continental Con-
gress. At each annual congress of this society delegates assemble
from every State in the Union representing, as far as it is possible
for them to do so, an index of the feeling of the chapter members
in every community. Such delegates are authorized by their chap-
ters to vote the expression of their local communities. In this way
Continental Congress registers a national thought in somewhat
the same manner as the selected representatives of the people in Con-
gress do in representing their constituencies.
I should like to bring to your attention here the fact that since
1923 we have been on record in very strong language for restricted
immigration and more lately, 1927-28, for the national-origins
provisions.
The D. A. R. has existed for nearly four decades without changing
its name or moving its headquarters from place to place. Its mem-
bers must qualify as descendants from patriots who defended the
country during the Revolutionary War. They not only have a visi-
ble interest in preserving American institutions, but they want the
people of this country to remain American in character and action.
May I briefly state a few reason why members of the D. A. R.
as individuals uphold the national-origins plan and desire to have it
put into effect as soon as possible? oo
We regard delay as unnecessary, because we feel that criticism of
national origins is not well founded. To judge whether or not
national-origins figures are accurate within the requirement of the
law, one must qualify as an expert in statistics, and in this realm we
have supreme confidence in Doctor Hill, who, in his testimonies be-
fore House and Senate Immigration Committees, has convinced us
that national origins is by far the most fair of any method suggested
for the division of quotas. As it is, the 1924 law is now being ob-
structed—nullified. As loyal and ardent restrictionists that state of
affairs is not satisfactory to us.
Senator Corrraxp, Pardon me. What was the statement about the
law being nullified ?
Mrs. WALKER. As it is now, the 1924 Jaw is now being obstructed—
nullified.
Senator CopELanD. The present law?
Mrs. Warksr. The present law is not in effect, because it has been
postponed, and therefore it is nullified.
Senator Coperanp. I did not understand that.
Mrs. WarLker. Another postponement will leave the whole ques-
tion open. We would like to see it settled the way Congress ob-
viously intended when it passed the 1924 act, including the national-
origins provisions, by such an overwhelming majority. }
The temporary 1890 “ foreign-born” basis (or any foreign-born
basis) harshly discriminates against the native-born decendants of
those distinguished patriots which it is the function of our society
to commemorate. We do not regard such an arrangement as equit-
able in theory nor for the interest of the country in practice. Un-
