Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-05
Would Revive Old Plan.

Commissioner Sargent proposes to pre-
pare a similar handbook filled with use
full information concerning those parts
of the United States where settlers are
needed, and will publish it in a dozen diff
ferent languages. Such books should be
distributed upon the ships shortly after
they leave the European ports so that
passengers may study and discuss the
contents with their comrades during the
voyage There should be authority also
Tor the distribution of official handbooks
OF the different states containing such
facts as migrants should know TO he
distributed in the same manner. At pres
ent the steamship and railroad agents
VINO are drumming up emigrants in Eu-
ropean countries furnish them with
plenty of reading matter, but it is unau-
thorlzed and often misleading
Nearly every state has an immigration
bureau working with more or less energy
to obtain settlers, and Commissioner Sar-
gent desires that they also shall have an
opportunity to reach immigrants before the
latter leave Ellis Island. Indeed, he is anx-
vent foreigners from settling down in New
York, Philadelphia, Chicago and other
great cities, and induce them to go out
where labor is needed.
A Bill Drafted.
For that purpose he has prepared bill
which will be introduced In both houses
of Congress and will ask early action upon
it. 1t provides that the commissioner gem
eral of immigration shall establish a
bureau of information and display for the
benefit of immigrants upon their arrival In
this country, to aid them in determining
where they shall settle; that said bureau
shall furnish, free, oral and printed infor-
nation, and displays. where practicable as
to the resources, products and physical
characteristics of each state and territory
the character of the soil, the price of land,
the routes of travel and cost of transporta-
ton, the opportunities of obtaining en-
ployment in the various skilled and I'M
wages, the cost of living, and other infor-
nation that may tend to enlighten immi-
grants.
The bill also provides that any state or
territory may maintain, at it's own expense,
agents at Ellis Island under such regula-
tionS as the commissioner general shall
think necessary to prevent the abuse of the
privilege, and these agents shall be allowed
every opportunity to explain to aliens the
inducements and advantages offered to set
tiers in their respective states. There is a
provision, however, that this privilege shall
not be used for the employment of aliens
to take the place of laborers involved in any
strike or lockout or to secure them as pas
sengers on any particular transportation
line.
In order to give suitable accommodations
for these agents Mr.. Sargent proposes the
erection of an additional building on Ellis
Island, at a cost of 100000, to be paid for
out of the immigration fund.
Widespread Interest Indicated.
There seems to be good deal Of interest
in Congress on this subject, and throughout
the country the newspapers are commend
ing the proposition as explained in the re-
cent report of Commissioner Sargent The
dangers of allowing ignorant foreigners to
coloniZe in the large cities have long been
recognized, and any measure that will pre-
vent it, and send them out into the coun-
try, will be encouraged by public sentiment,
both for their own good benefit and the
public welfare No objection has been Of
fered thus far to Commissioner Sargent's
plan, and there Is no reason why it should
not receive early and favorable attention
from Congress. The southern states are
showing particular interest, and some Of
the newspapers in that section perceive
solution of the negro problem in it. Com
missioner Sargent has been invited to Au-
gusta, Ca. to explain his plan to the people
OF that state. Delegations have come from
Virginia, North Carolina and California to
confer with the immigration officials and to
express their desire to do everything pos
sible to attract immigrants in their direc-
ton.
Laying Aside Absolute Power.
In connection with the reforms that are
now being agitated in Russia 1t is inter-
esting to recall what occurred In Japan on
the 18th of February, 1859. On that day
the mikado. who was not only an autocrat
like the Gar of Prussia hflt accordny RI