AMENDING IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1924 RESPECTING QUOTA PREFERENCES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1930 UNITED STATES SENATE, The committee met, pursuant to call, at 10 a. m., in the committee room, Capitol, Senator Arthur R. Gould presiding. Present: Senators Gould (chairman), Johnson, Blease, Harris, Copeland, and Stephens. Present also: Senator Metcalf. The CHAIRMAN. Gentlemen, the committee will come to order. S. 1455, which we had something to do with the other day, has been slightly changed in the next to the last paragraph. You all have copies, with the proposed correction, I believe. Is there anything you want to say on this bill this morning, Mr. Metcalf? Senator METCALF. I want to say that I just telephoned to Secretary Davis. He was sorry he could not be here to-day, but he wished me to say that he was in sympathy with the bill. The CHAIRMAN. He said he was in sympathy with the bill? Senator METCALF. Yes, sir; and he said he would attend if you had another hearing. Further, he said, that he was going out of town next week, but that if you could set this bill for a hearing some day during the following week he would come to that. As I said the other day, this is to encourage new industries to come here. The more industries we can have come here, making things which are not made here, the better for the best interests of the country. The CHAIRMAN. Is there any one else who wishes to be heard on this bill? Senator HARRIS. The other day the representative of organized labor said they opposed this measure but they did not give the reasons. I would like to hear those reasons. The CHAIRMAN. Is there any representative of organized labor present. The clerk of the committee notifies me that notice was sent to Mr. McGrady, who was here the other day, and asked to be heard on this matter. He received a notice but he is not here this morning. I wonder if he and Secretary Davis have not had a conference on this matter. Senator COPELAND. I assume this suggested amendment is what the labor people wanted put in. Isn't that the significance of this amendment? Senator HARRIS. Some discussion was asked by Mr. Hushing. 17 Senator COPELAND. I think that is back of the proposed amend ment. Senator JOHNSON. If you will recall the initial discussion on this bill, three amendments were suggested; and I would like to call them to the attention of Senator Metcalf, so that he can take them up with Secretary Davis. Page 2, lines 9 and 10, there was some discussion about the omission of the clause "or who are needed to engage in such work independently or as an employer in the United States." And in lines 20 and 21, the like clause "but that it is desirable that such alien be admitted to work independently or as an employer in the United States." Concerning both of these a bit of perplexity was suggested, and we might take them up with the Secretary if that is the intention. Senator METCALF. Yes. Senator JOHNSON. The third amendment is that annexed to the bill,' constituting lines one, two and three on page 3. The original bill eliminated the existing provisions concerning contract labor. The amendment that is now pasted on the bill is quite the reverse. says: It The provisions of this act shall not be construed to modify, in any manner, the provisions of existing law relating to the importation into the United States of alien contract laborers. Senator METCALF. How can you work that in? Senator JOHNSON. I think this new provision is an excellent one. Senator METCALF. If a man came up expecting employment arrangement, and you have made no arrangement, would you pay him? Senator JOHNSON. It might not extend as far as that. You had better take that up with Secretary Davis. Senator COPELAND. That is a technical question, too. Senator JOHNSON. I had assumed this was your amendment. Senator METCALF. No. I think it should be straightened out with the Secretary of Labor. Senator JOHNSON. I suggest that the bill go over, so that Senator Metcalf may go over it and consult with the Secretary of Labor. Also, that Mr. McGrady, of the American Federation of Labor be advised of the action of the committee. (Whereupon, at 11 a. m. the committee adjourned, to meet at the call of the chairman.) |