Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-24

followed up to an abnormal degree, and as soon
as prosperity ceased temporarily. the foreign
mechanic or laborer has remained at home.
This constant artificial augmentation OF the
, number OF ia, laborers during prosperous years
ing period OF depression. Ii is undoubtedly
true that during the past fifty years immigra-
ton has been OF inestimable value as an ele-
ment in American industrial progress, but il
cannot be said now. and probably not to any
great extent in the future, that America Is the
home of the oppressed of all nations. This adj
vertisement win undoubtedly be withdrawn,
as well as that other that there is room enough
in the United States for all.
IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN LABOR.
Many instances might be given to illustrate
the Ill effects of the inopportune importation
of foreign labor-the employment OF Hungar-
tans In mining districts, the padrone system
In some localities, and other features, not only
of foreign contract labor. but OF the employ
ment OF foreign labor which comes freely on n
certain kind of solicitation. SO far as the In
vestigation in hand indicates, the employment
OF foreign labor under contract TO take the
places OF dissatisfied home laborers has been a
miserable failure for all parties concerned,
except, perhaps, the parties imported. To some
extent the imported man has been benefited,
for he has been able, by continuing his Old
style of living, to secure what were TO him mar
vicious wages, and alter saving lew hundred
dollars, felt that he could return TO his old
associations with fund which, with little
work, would enable him To live i'm comparative
affiuence. 1t is probable that this country
could with benefit to all its industries, absorb
from 100000 to 100000 new corners annually,
but much larger number coming in can be
considered as the precursor Of depressed BUSH
ness.
REMEDIES SUGGESTED.
Considering suggested remedies for depres-
sions, the commissioner says, among other
things, that "a halt should be made in freely
granting lands to corporations, for however val
liable such grants may be to the public interest
in developing great lines of railways the result
Is that the lands constitute a basis to n greater
or less extent for speculative purposes. Legiti-
mate. voluntary immigration may be too rapid
TO enable country developing its industries
TO asSimilate labor from the outside: but when
immigration becomes subject OF inducement,
OF contract, Tor the purpose OF displacing
higher grade OF labor the result is indeed per-
nicious. and all the authority of law should be
called in to prevent the continuance of the
wrong. This Congress has undertaken to do.
To undertake 10 regulate voluntary immigra-
ton is an exceedingly delicate matter. The
policy OF the government i'm all the past, the
principles on which the United States govern
ment founded ,all the traditions OF the country,
furnish arguments against such regulation, and
yet free, voluntary immigration may do the
industries of the country great harm. Ii the
past and its presidents should not influence
the future and its good The industrial world
having arrived at what may be called a crisis
period through the rapid extension of ma
chinery aud the consequent oyer-development
OF the Industries of the world, makes the doc
trine that the United States offers an asylum
to the world somewhat dangerous. mt least
renders II doctrine now largely out of place"
The effect that the enactment of laws to stop
speculation would have, il they could be specifi-
cally applied. would be for the public good. 1t
might be well to enact laws allowing no organ
iZafiOn to put Its stock upon the market with.
out the full value OF its capital stock Is paid i'm,
either in the currency of the country or in abso-
Lutte property. Under this head, too, would come
the question of corners and trading in futures.
Industrial arbitration is recommended, but
to be successful ii must be purely voluntary on
the part of those willing to submit their griev.
anceS to the decision of others.
Reform in the methods of distributing sup
plies would, if rightly directed, bring great re-
lief to consumers. Cooperation, in its distribu-
tive form, is suggested as q remedy i'm this re-
spect; but cooperative distribution is only a
half measure, because this method is organized,
almost entirely, and producers as such are not
What is known as industrial co-partnership
involving profit-sharing and embodying all
the vitality there is in the principle of coopera
ton, offers a practical nay of producing goods
on basis at once just to capital and TO labor,
and one which brings out tho best moral ele-
ments Of the capitalist and the workman. This
system has been tried In many instances, and
nearly always with success. This feature as a
suggested remedy for industrial depressions
has so much in II OF hope for the future that
specimen articles of agreement which have
been adopted by manufacturing concerns are
printed for the benefit OF all.
The relations of capital and labor are then
discussed, and the argument made that the
better and more complete the organization of
with the other. The effects OF the present in
dustrlal depression. the report says, are wear
ing away, and the indications are that prosperi-
ty is gradually returning, and that the extent
OF the depression has not been SO great as the
popular mind has conceived it,