New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-04
THE REMOVAL OFFICE.

Among the papers which were read before
the Jewish Chautauqua at Atlantic City recent
". the one by David NJ Bressler, in which he
gave an account OF the work accomplished by
the Industrial Removal Office and the objects
OF that organization. was interesting TO all peo-
pie who have noted the increase in the East
Side population OF this city. The restrictive
laws of RumaDia and other countries have
driven Jews TO this country in great numbers.
According To the fgures-apparently exagger-
ated-given by Mr. BresSler, this city contained
in 1900 more than 100000 Jews, and the annual
immigration amounts 10 upward of $4,000
About 20 per cent OF these arrivals remained in
New-York, and the congestion of the three
Jewish districts the East Side ghetto, the one
in YoTkville and the third in Harlem followed
To relieve this congestion and to ind homes
outside of the metropolis for those who were will
ing TO go and TO find work for those who were
unemployed were the objects of the organiza-
ton when II was effected in 1901.
In the first year Of its existence about eight
thousand persons were sent away from this city
through the efforts Of the removal office. Of
WHOM about 80 per cent were successful in the
new homes which were selected for them
What is most gratifying in this movement
considered as a philanthropic institution" said
the author Of the paper. 'is that the danger Of
'pauperizing the beneficiary is minimized. The
beneficiary fortunately does not realize that
The is the object of charity. and every effort is
made TO prevent such realization"
The men who are at the head Of the move
nent think that within a short time they will
be able TO find homes for ten thousand persons
a year outside of this city This will not onlv
relieve the congestion. but will better the condi-
ton of the newcomers. and it will abolish TO
some extent the necessity for anv further re-
striction Of immigration. The Ellis Island work
of the removal Office is. according to the de-
scription. unique feature. Mr.. Bressler said:
We engaged the services OF a man who. as
rabbi and popular Yiddlsh orator had gained
Tor himself quite a reputation on the East Side
TO meet the immigrants at Ellis Island there to
talk with them. explaining the situation I'm
New-Torl< the difficulty OF finding work and the
evils resulting from the overcrowded condi-
tions. with a view of inducing them to leave
for other parts Of the country In addition
thereto pamphlets in Yiddish setting forth the
salient facts. were distributed among them
Another man was engaged to supplement the
above work by visiting the immigrants in their
homes. there to explain and urge in greater de-
tail the necessity for leaving the city.
Here is an organization painting the metrono.
lis in its worst colors. saying. Don't stop in
New York the streets are crowded worI, Is
scarce and you will not be happy" But all
this is done mot for the purpose of coaxinr the
men out of New-York against their WILL but
TO bring the office 10 the attention of "seIfre-
speeding Jewish wOrkmen who have y com
''mendable aversion to phiIanthropic institu-
tons Despite their lsudable efforts 10 better
their condition. the Rumanan and the Russian
Jews have been source Of trouble and ex
pense to their American brethren. and any
plan by which the great influx can be diverted
10 other points will probably he encouraged
Whether the removal office plans will be sue
cessful. whether the immigrant can be lIred
away from New-YOrk. with its attractions IT'S
mixture Of the old home and the New World
its Russian district and American atmospbcre
time alone can demonstrate.