Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-28
FROM FOREIGN LANDS
TIE CONGRESSIONAL INVEsTTGAT.
ING COMMITTEE AT WORK.

Asking Questions in Regard to Immigra-
tion-Agents Of Steamship Companies
i Explain Their Methods-How Italians
Are Deluded Into Coming to This
i Country.
New YORK, July 25.-To-day the Con-
gressional Committee appointed TO look
into the immigration affairs of the country
at large, began its work. The first session
OF the committee opened st Westminster
Hotel this morning. Chairman Ford, Of
Michigan, and Congressman Morrow. of
fCalifornia, and Guenther, OF Wisconsin,
were the only members OF the committee
present, but General Spinola and Congress-
man Oates are (. pected to arrive to-mor-
row. The New York Commissioners OF
immigration were none OF them present at
the opening of inquiry, nor was any one
else there to represent Castle Garden.
The first witness to take the chair was
E. L. Boas, passenger Agent OF the Ham
burg line OF steamers. He was questioned
about Che manner in which his company
transacted it's passenger business. He de-
scribed the company's system of agencies
in this country and Europe. Wi ness said
every person buying ticket had to present
q passport showing that he is allowed to
emigrate and has not committed any
crime. The company, be, said, takes great
pains to inspect all passengers in order that
none shall come over who would not be
allowed to land here.
Boaz was questioned closely by each of
the committeeman on this passport ques-
tion and acknowledged that the principai
point dwelt on in the document was
whether or not the would-be emigrant was
liable for military service.
Mr.. Coverty was the second witness ex- |
amined. The committee devoted especial |
attention to the Mediterranean business |
done by his company.
thought his line had brought 125, 900 i'm
migrants into this country during the past |
five years. Ten per cent. OF the tickets |
sold in New York are prepaid.
WHY THE ITALIANS COME.
Representative of Italian society, dur
ing recess, said that immigrants flock to
the society rooms begging for relief and
making complaints. When asked why
they come here, they said they were
to emigrate by flaming placards
which adofn the walls in their native
villages, setting forth in glowing terms ad-
vantages Of coming to America and prom
sing them profitable employment as soon
as they land. These placards, they say are
broadcast over Italy by agents
of New York-Italian bankers who reap a
'ieh harvest for their profits on the steam
'hip tickets.
HOW THE swEDEs COME.
Louis Debebian, agent for the Havre
inc Of steamships, stated that a majority
II the steerage passengers who come to
his port by his line are Swedes. His COM
,any only has dealings with ten or twelve
ocal agents, and no tickets are issued to
hem in blank. The arrivals during the I
'ast five years have been about 100, 900.
1ery few OF their passengers remain in t
lew York. 1t
A. M. Underhill said the Guion line {
rought in during the past five years about
90, 600 emigrants, mostly English, Irish
coteh. Hangarians and Germans, and butt
wv Italians. Fully 80 per cent. OF the ,
coming over on the Guion line
o to points beyond New York. The ma
,rity of them GO to the Northwest.
Theodore Chroder, emigrant agent of the Q
Torth German Lloyd ne, gave the arrivals
y his line during the past five years at
81 900. The majority of them were Hun
arians; they came mostly on prepaid o
ckets and were sold by local agents, .
lostly in the Pennsylvania coal regions. h
wo-thirds of the emigrants by this line
ent west of New York.
j. Turkvile, agent of the Fabre line, said
ne majority of the Italian emigrants went :.
est of New York. He acknowledged that y
t oae time he had sold one hundred tick Z
Is to one party, but he now restricted the
umber to ten. This was done to prevent
,ecnlation He claimed that italian
ankers realized very little from their COM q
issiou IN MASSAGE tickets =