20 NATIONAL ORIGINS PROVISION OF IMMIGRATION LAW
ment. So I imagine there was a great deal of duplication in the
occurrence of the names.
Senator Coreranp. Is it not possible that a great many English-
hen re Irish names when they went into the Revolutionary
roy ?
Doctor Hur. I do not know but what that might be the case.
There is this thing further to be considered, I think, that the state-
ments you refer to do not distinguish between the present Irish Free
State and the rest of Ireland. I think these figures as to the fre-
quencies of Irish names in the Revolution were based on the whole of
Ireland. Of course, now we have to make the distinction between
Northern Ireland, which goes to England, and the Irish Free State.
Senator CorELAND. Doctor, you have been a long time in the Gov-
ernment and you know how essential it is to the happiness of a lot of
people to be educated to the necessity of a new law; for example,
there is opposition in certain quarters to the prohibition law. One
of the evils I have in mind about the postponement is not the essential
difference between the national origins and 1790, but the fact that the
public has not been educated to the significance of the thing. I have
no doubt that Senator Reed, if given time enough during the next
year to present in small doses from time to time on this project,
would be able to educate the public. I believe that there is a preva-
lent idea that there is uncertainty as to the finality of the figures.
But granting that they are correct and that the plan is a wise one,
the question in my mind is, Is it wise to attempt to force this upon
the public now without having first prepared the soil? That is the
way it looks to me, Doctor Hill.
Senator Harris. Mr. Chairman, it seems to me he is asking Doctor
Hill something he is not here to discuss. Doctor Hill is not here to
give us information as to the policy—what we should do and Con-
gress should do. I do not think Doctor Hill ought to be asked that
question.
Senator Kine. Do you not think he is a better judee of that than
you are, Senator ?
Senator Harrts. I do not think so; pardon me.
Doctor Hirr. I would agree with Senator Harris on that point.
Senator Hares. I think Doctor Hill is the best authority in the
world on the matters he has given study to. I am glad to testify to
that, because I was associated with him.
Senator Coreranp. I am sure everyone has the highest opinion of
Doctor Hill. I am not going to press the question myself. But that;
is just the way it strikes me.
Senator Ree. I would like to ask Doctor Hill his opinion as to the
comparative accuracy or inaccuracy of the two methods. 1890 and the
national origins.
Doctor Hirn. You mean 1890 as it is now, unrevised ?
Senator Reep. Yes. }
Doctor Hire. I think it depends a good deal on what countries we
have in mind. As to those countries whose boundaries have been
materially changed by the war, I believe that the national-origins
system is probably more accurate than the 1890 basis.
Senator Reep. That would apply to Germany, Austria, and the
countries that have been derived from Russian territorv?
