The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-02-20
IMMIGRATION FIGURES.

eudar year 1902 show the arrival OF over
$4,000 immigrants during the Il months
that were reported for the fiscal year
ending June so, 1899. The total number
Of Immigrant arrivals during the l.
months ending with December 1902,
was 7Ss.sS9, as compared With 522,57s
during the calendar year for 1901, s7si26
during the year 1900. and ssl,SlS during
the year 1899, The immigration for the
fiscal year iSS2 amounted to a total
OF 5SSSss. that being the only i2-month
period showing a heavier immigration
to the United States than the calendar
year lately closed.
An examination of the record in de-
tail shows, out of 7Se.2Ss immigrants
arriving in the United States last year.
7o2.2eS were from Europe. 2S.i6I from
Asia, ana 5,2S7 from the West Indies.
Italy was the former place of residence
of 201.s66 of the newcomers, Austria
Hungary OF 1859 and. Russia of l2S,-
So. These three countries of eastern
or southern Europe furnished 51o,S07 Of
the immigrant arrivals of last year, a
number greater than the total immigra-
ton for any year in the history of the
United States excepting the fiscal years
lSSI-S4. 1871. 1892 and 1902
The swarm of immigrants entering
this country from eastern and south
ern Europe is causing not little APP
prehension. The influx of more than
half millions of these foreigners per
year. if long continued, would undoubt-
edly raise some serious problems, both
political social and economic. The ca
pacity of the United States to assimi-
late so large a number of persons who
are absolutely without training or ira
ditions in the American style of living
and habit Of thought and action is GER
tainly puzzling question. Perhaps
more serious problem is one of sup
Port, not for the newcomers who can
live on pittance, but for those who
must compete with them in the strug-
gle for existence. This difficulty is not
so apparent at present as it is certain
to be when times are dull again. Pros
perity. unprecedented prosperity, has
kept the demand for labor in this coun-
try above the supply for series of
years. This condition has been favor
able to labor organizations and has
justified compliance with demands
for better wages all along the line. But
IL a series of lean years should fol-
low a period Jf great plenty, the labor
market would be entelrely changed,
and when the supply Of labor exceeds
the demand 70 it, labor organizations
are Intellectual 20 prevent the fall of
wages. The presence in this country
of several millions of foreigners who
were not here during the years of de-
preston following the panic of 1893,
and who are accustomed to living on
an entirely different plane, and are
able and willing to work for exceed
ingly meagre wages, will be new and
serious element in the economic prob |
lem if the present period Of prosperity |
should wane.
Germany no longer furnishes this
country with large number of new
comers The number entering the
United States from Germany last year
was 32,735. Ireland sent S1,406 immi-
gants to these shores last year. Nearly
so 900 came from Sweden and Norway. |
contributed 16,1E, Scotland |
1853, and Wales 922. The English
speaking. people who come from the
British isles and the immigrants from
Sweden, Norway and Germany are
highly desirable and in marked con-
tInst to the type Of immigrant from
eastern and southern Europe How
ever, these countries furnished abodt
of the total immigration Of
last year.