The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-25
PROPER IMMIGRANTS
ALWAYS WELCOME.

An article published in a Hebrew
newspaper in New York inviting immi-
grants to come to this city, and the
South. was generally discussed in some
quarters yesterday and the fear was
expressed that it might result in an
influx of undesirable immigrants. 1t
was stated that within the past few
days people have shown up in Savan-
nah who had to be assisted in getting
back to New York.
When the calls for aid are made
upon business men they have general
ly responded and have assisted the
poor immigrants who arrived here I'M
der false impressions to return to
New York. The tax is, however, one
that the people do not feel called upon
to bear continually, and besides, they
fear that the report will be spread TO
greater extent and that a regular
avalanche of INDECENT men, women and
children will be brought in who will
become a permanent burden upon the
city The business people are entirely
in favor of immigration, but desire
only Industrious and enterprising i'm
migrants who are able to take care
of themselves until they get well set
tied.
From conversation last night with
| prominent Jews it was shown that
they We're not in favor of having a
| flood of incompetent, INDECENT Jews
brought into Savannah. They are not
| opposed to immigration that brings
competent and hard working people
for citizens, but they say that the city
has already as many sick, poor and
feeble as it can properly handle and
to undertake more than this would
mean that some must be neglected.
The simple statement that Savannah
was ready to receive 500 families of
refugees might do great deal of harm
and if such statement has been
made in the Northern press it is desir-
ed that it should be denied.
MIR. WiIinslNy's story.
Mr.. Wilinsky, who conducts a shoe
factory on Broughton street, near Dray-
ton, last night when asked about the
matter of bringing Jews from New
York and elsewhere to Savannah, said
frankly and freely that he had written
for the eastern press, an article in
which he advised the refugees, who
are now banked up like animals in the
great cities of the East, to come South
If they desired to work. He had not
indicated that Savannah could or would
be able to give work to 500 or any
particular number. He had desired to
get workmen to come to Savannah, and
the article in the New York papers had
said that Industrious men in the trades
and various pursuits, could probably
get work in the principal Southern
cities.
Il want immigrants" said Mr.. Wi
| lins11y, because 1 believe every city
| ought to have them. l don't want any
paupers brought here and certainly
would not do anything to add to the
| number that reside here already.
! When there is a Jew here needing
| money he usually comes to me and L
| have some things to think of besides
| giving out the money that l work hard
to get.
"I would be glad to see some Jew
| ish workmen coming here from New
| York or Philadelphia. We are told that
| they are sleeping on the sidewalks
| and in boxes and wagons. Many of
| them are competent workmen, and all
| they need is a chance.
| Personally, l would be delighted If
| a few immigrants would turn up here
| whom l could put to work. In my shoe
| factory l have only about half enough
| workmen. / want more labor, and can
| not get it. Every man who comes to
| Savannah and starts in business,
| don't care what kind, is doing the city
a service. The man has to eat and
sleep and wear clothes, and if he gets
a good position or a moderate one he
will have to pay for board and wear
| ing apparel"