Full text: National origins provision of immigration law

NATIONAL ORIGINS PROVISION OF IMMIGRATION LAW 63 
eracy test. You do not approve, I understand, of any numerical limi- 
tation; is that correct? 
Doctor FriepExwarn. I am not prepared to say whether I do or 
do not. I knew at one time, prior to 1913. I was familiar, before 
the war, with the immigration situation, and I knew most or a good 
part of the so-called statistics—had them at my fingers’ end. But 
1 have been in bad health for a number of years, I have retired, and 
I have not kept up with the details, and I am not prepared to give any 
answers more than I have made to-day. 
Senator Reep. Now, Doctor, suppose the country and Congress 
decided that there must be a numerical limitation of immigration, 
right or wrong? We will assume that has been decided. 
Doctor FRIEDENWALD. Yes. 
Senator Rep. How then would you divide those numbers among 
the various countries from which we expect to receive immigration? 
Doctor FriepExwarp. Well, that is again asking me a question 
I am not prepared to answer. 
Senator Rerp. But that is the question Conoress is faced with. and 
{ want your help. 
Doctor Frivpexwarp. My help would be of no use to you. I have 
no information on which I can base an intelligent statement. If 
you would like me to have prepared for you a statement of the 
point of view of the men with whom I was formerly associated and 
who have made special investigations of the immigration problem. 
I will endeavor to have them prepare it for you. 
I do not represent anybody but myself, and I can not speak for 
any organization or organization or organizations, but if that is 
what you would like to have T would be very glad to see if I can 
not get them for you. 
Senator Remo. I am asking you quite seriously. We have heard 
much criticism of the national origins scheme. 
Doctor Friepenwarp. Yes. 
Senator Rrep. But many of the critics, including yourself, are 
not suggesting anything that is any better, and I am wondering 
if you can indicate to us the course of action that we ought to take, 
It is not enough to stand at a fire and wring one’s hands and say, 
* Some one ought to do something;” and that is what many of our 
critics are doing. They are not offering us anything to take the 
place of the national origins, which they criticize. 
Doctor FriepENwarp. I tell you my own objections to the national 
origins measure is that it is not feasible. I do not believe that it 
can possibly be put into operation with anything like fairness of 
results to the immigrant or to the population already In the United 
States. 
I came here prepared only to discuss the national-origin phase. 
It is the immediate matter that we had to meet. 
Senator Nye. Which you are anxious to see postponed ? 
Doctor Friepexwarp. I am anxious to see postponed, because I 
believe it puts our next president In a situation of embarassment, as 
I understand it. If I am correctly informed, he has never been 
able to accept the national origins as a workable scheme, and he so 
said in his speech of acceptance. He wishes it to be postponed, and 
I am in favor of doing so. not to embarass him. and for the hanefit
	        
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