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.
