New-York tribune., 1905-04-20

The ITALIAN IN AMERICA Eliot LOru
rows. With fifteen illustrations from photo
graphs. lznao' pp. X, 20S. B. f. Buck co.
The design OF this volume lis to present clear
ly the contribution Of Italy 10 American devel-
opment and citizenship AS Mr. Lord was the
special agent OF the Tenth, United States Cen
sus IN regard 10 social statistics, Mr.. Trenor'
chairman OF the immigration committee OF the
National Board Of Trade in 19O4. and Mr.. Bar
rows is secretary Of the Prison Association OF
New-York. their composite production should
not only be regarded as authoritative. but GER
tainly free from any inherently favorable bias.
Their unanimous agreement accordingly. that
the Italian immigrant, save in a few exceptional
instances, is valuable addition TO our industrial
and national development. should be equally
gratifying TO the Italians and 10 the descendants
OF earlier immigrants who may have viewed
with apprehension the increasing influx OF large
ly iIiterate Latins from the boot-shaped penin-
sula in the Mediterranean.
The authors speak highly Of the Italians in
dustry. frugality. capacity and cheerfulness.
and show by statistics that he is temperate and
honest The somewhat large proportion OF
crimes OF violence OF which Italians have been
convicted is due. The authors allege, to the great
preponderance OF males among those who first
came TO this country, and the percentage of this
class Of crimes appears 10 be steadily diminish
DA+A-.-~-n
wives and children. 1t is even stated that there
has been perceptible diminution Of crimes Of
violence IN Italy Of recent years. through the
greater prosperity brought TO the country
through returning eEngrants and more pow
erfully by the more enlightened ideas brought
back by them" II the calming effects OF our
institutions are so noticeable the Italian tenn
perament. no less apparent is the effect OF our
school system on The illiteracy Of the immigrant
mot. OF course. directly hut in the second gen
Grafton. Teachers in East Side public schools
bear witness 10 the brightness Of the children Of
Italian parents. and the head Of Italian
church in New-York states that so rapidly do
they become Americanized that his assistant
priests must be good English scholars II they
are TO understand the confessions of a large pro-
portion Of his parishioners.
The fact that so many Italians congregate in
large cities and overcrowd the ranks of
skilled labor Mr.. Lord contends is somewhat
misleading 10 the capacity Of the average
immigrant. Only about one-third Of the i'm
migrants are without some trade or occupation
hut they are forced by their lack OF capital 10
take the first job that offers. gradually working
out Of the ranks into their proper spheres All
except those from the cities have some knowl-
edge Of agriculture, but do not usually seek the
land except where number Of them can settle
together. Where such settlements have been
effected, particularly IN the South they have
been very successful in raising cotton and rice,
far exceeding the results obtained by negroes
1n neighboring sections. on the Austin Cor
bin plantation at Greenville Miss. eight families
OF Italians in 1903 cleared sums ranging from
$500 10 $1,000 over all expenses for rent and
living. They excel also as market gardeners.
being accustomed 10 the most intensive cultiva-
lion. Claiming that il IS fncontestable that
'every honest, able. willing laborer is material
addition 10 the working capitalize productive
power of an undeveloped country"-Mr Lord
argues that unless il can be established by
evidence that the mass of immigration from
Italy is not composed Of honest able, willing
laborers, there can be no economic warrant for
any arbitrary resort TO exclusion" He adds fur
ther: If there are complaints of congestion
the rational economic resort is betterment Of
distribuuoR-not the choking or OF the pro-
ductive flow" In letter 70 Mr.. Trenor An
drew Carnegie makes the following statement
Of his opinion in regard 10 the Italian In Amer
ica:
As the result Of experience, I rate the Italian
highly and consider him a desirable irnm!-
grant il is 10 him look with hope TO settle more
and more in our Southern States. and finally to
grow more cotton which IS already needed to SUD-
ply the worlds wants As long as we can keen out
the immigrants who assisted 10 pay their
passage. i think the danger from imaalEration IS
largely Imaginary. ! want Detter PROOF that q
man IS 10 be valuable citizen than the fact that
ceeoeo IN saE1ng enough 10 bring himself and his
family 10 TIE land OF promise.