The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-17
DISCUSS PROBLEM
/. Of |MMIGRAT ton
SEVEN MINNESOTANS ATTENDED
NATIONAL CONFERENCE.
Unrestricted Immigration Decidedly
Unpopular with. Great Majority of
Delegates, Among Whom Were Some
Of the Country's Most Distinguished
Men = Would Inspect Immigrants
Before They Embark. - =.

Before They Embark. S..f. =.
( Labor Commissioner w. H. Williams
& is home from the national conference
b on immigration, which was held under
L the auspices of the National Civic fed
Grafton in New York city, Dec. 6,
II and 8, in Madison Square Garden con-
cert hall. Seven Minnesota men at
tended as delegates, one of these, Arch
1 bishop Ireland, being an officer. The
i others are w. H. Williams, R. E. Bur
II bridge and w. D. Washburn, Jr., Min
ENneapolis; John E. Burchard and Thomas
Cochrane, St. Paul; Wiley Tindahl,
Thief River Falls. p
Mr.. Washburn was elected chairman
I of the Minnesota delegation and took
prominent part in the proceedings.
4 He was also a member of the resolu-
L lions committee Mr. Cochrane Of st.
E@ Paul was elected chairman of the Min
nesota delegation. Wiley Tindahl was
l made a member of the committee on
organization.
immigration in it's various phases
/ was the only question considered
\ Among the capitalists present and TAX
1 ing part were Andrew Carnegie, DR..
Charles w. Eliot, president of Harvard
university; August Belmont, president
z of the marlborough Rapid Transit
company of New York, and many
I#. others.
9 Majority Favor Restriction.
S@ Messrs. Carnegie and Eliot were
among those who stood for unrestricted
] 5immigration. Strange as it may seem,
Mr.. Belmont was on the other side, and
his address before the conference was
regarded as one of the best heard.
Unrestricted immigration was decided
ly unpopular with the great majority
of the delegates, and action taken indi-
& Gates that the conference is the be-
N ginning of a movement of great posi-
bilities. Statistics were presented by
q the New York Tailors' union showing
n that out of 1,avo,O0O persons landed at
{ Ellis island last year, $4,000 were
n tailors who remained in New York
II This was the case, say the tailors, fol
u the reason that these $4,000 had not
n money enough to take them away from
n New York The great number of work
g men in this branch, many of whom are
# practically stranded when they arrive
Il in this country, is responsible for the
s,5 sweatshop conditions prevailing in
E# New York, which is known to be about
E. the worst place. in the world for tail
te& ors. !. :,:>..:> ..e ....z<SS.t
I5 Distribution Of immigrants occupied
Sss. some of the attention Of the delegates
5# At present there is no systematic plal
i%7 in effect to induce newcomers to go tt
ISL places where there might be demand
Isl for their Services, The result is tina
certain sections, easily accessible from
the seacoast, are rglutted with all kind
of labor. Much disappointment wa
y felt that John Mitchell, president O.
Il the United Mine Workers, was unabl
IS to be present.. His organization, com
n posed largely of foreigners, has ha'
81 more experience in solving question
in connection with the handling Of fo1
eigners than any other labor organiza
Is ton. The miners seem to be able t
I grapple with the immigration problem
80 far as it relates to them.
l Saw Immigrants Arrive.
ST. A feature Of the conference was
s visit to Ellis Island, where the dele
gates were entertained at luncheon
II Several steamships reached the por
at that time and afforded them an OF
tportunity of witnessing the arrival, in
spection and disposition of severa
a thousand immigrants.
sS: Among the recommendations tn
conference will make to congress vii
be that inspection be made in the cour
IH2 try from which the immigrant comes
ISL under the supervision of the Unite
States. consul and commission ar
pointed for the purpose. 1t is he'll
ii that proof of the persons characte
he and financial standing can be NOR
r.! easily obtained before starting upon
lbs journey to. a foreign country. Thi
~ system, it's advocates think, will 90 fla
l toward aiding the government in keer
ts ing out criminals, paupers and all oil
E$& jectionable subjects. The conferenc
asks that the laws regulating Chimes
!is and Japanese labor be rigidly enforce,
u particularly that portion of the la
Il, which allows merchants and student
M admission to the United States so cas-
s|$ ly. 1t is claimed that under cover g
81 this law many enter each year and r
NJ main.
DR.. Albert Shaw, editor of the r.
s view of Reviews, was chairman of til
81: committee on resolutions.
For Organized Labor
Organized labor was represented b
81 some of its prominent men, anon
t them being Samuel Gompers, who W;
s one of the leading spirits of the NEE
ing; E. e. Clark, grand chief conducto
W. Order Of Railway Conductors: Ware
$. Stone, grand chief, Information
III brotherhood of Locomotive Engineer
IE: J. ). Hannahan, grand master of I'll
rs. brotherhood Of Locomotive Fireme
and James % Council, president of Il
MS international Association of MACH
t lists ''.' -. -"
Many labor commissioners from :
sa over the country were present, half Il
IL states being represented. These held
So meeting IN New York and complied
M list OF questions which the last conve
Sx$ ton OF labor commissioners decided
send out in regard to the cost Of Twin
The questions apply to the cost of n
SIS cessltles of life in the different ma,
S OF the country, and are to be collect
AZ with view to ascertaining definite
81 the cost of living. The convent
@S VIII be held in Boston, in July or An
SIS ust of next year. Fr.
MINNEAPOLIS LOST
s. g. "