Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-17
Practical Measures Needed.

Last spring there was so-called tmmi-
grafton convention in Washington, attend
ed by delegates from all of the southern
states who made eloquent speeches depict
ing the glory of "the southland" passed
lot of resolutions partook of an elaborate
banquet, paid their respects to the Presl-
dent, and went home, without effecting the
slightest change in the destination OF a
single immigrant II they had expended
the money which that convention cost In
giving information to the new arrivals at
Ellis Island they might have accomplished
something practical. but all the eloQuence
in the south cannot attract a single ne-d
hand from any country III the world
Arrangements should be made with
steamship agents in Europe TO place in
the hands of their passengers printed mat
ter bearing the iuGOrSe rnert of the state
officials saying that peop.e acqta.n'ed with
fruit culture and bet fArmng are wanted
In Colorado ard CatfOru a, and telling them
that they will find official agents upon their
arrival at Ellis Island who VIII give them
reliable information and send them to
places where they viii obtain profitable en-
pioyment
The same method should be adopted by
the southern states. and then something
practical will be accom- 1lished. Commits
sfoner Sargent also recommends measures
to secure the co-ope-at on Of foreign coun-
tries in reducing the number of immigrants
and preventing those wEo are not desirab e
might be done by holding an international
conference Of delegates who have had prac-
teal experience in handling Immigrants
He thinks that it is necessary also to nave
our laws and regulations concerning imm-
grafton translated into foreign languages
and posted in the various steamship offices
in foreign countries and distributed as
widely as possible.
Increase in Crime.
Mr.. Sargent gives us some startling in
formation concerning the increase of crime,
depravity disease and other dangers to the
social and political security of the country
due directly to this enormous immigration.
He says that they might be lessened con-
slderably by distributing aliens now con-
gregating in our large cities to those parts
of the United States where they can secure
employment without displacing others, and
where the conditions of existence do not
tend to the fostering of disease, depravity
and resistance to the social and political
safety of the country. 1t is impossible to
believe that a practical device cannot be
found' he says 'if not through the action
of the federal government alone, then with
the cooperation of the state and civic au-
thorites.'
could be brought into existence through
the efforts of our general government, or
whether, under any of Its constitutional
powers. expressed or implied. the Congress
| or moral grounds, against the notorious
| practice of housing aliens with less regard
| for health and comfort than is shown in
| placing brute animals in pens the bureau
| is unprepared to say, even IL an expression
| of Its views upon the subject were neces-
sary. 1t Is. however convinced that no
| feature of the immigration question SO in
| sistentiy demands public attention and ef-
fective action. The evil TO be removed Is
| one that is steadily and rapidly on the in
| crease and Its removal Will strike at the
| roots of fraudulent elections, poverty dis
| ease and crime in our large cities, and, on
| the other hand, largely supply that increas-
| ing demand for labor to develop the natural
| resources of our country
He shows that there are now $40, SS5 In
| mates in our public reformatory and char
| liable institutions, of whom 97.074. or %
| per cent, are foreign born, and So, GAG, or II
| per cent are absolute aliens, who have
never even been naturaized. or these 49,
| T64 are insane. The largest number I'll $500
are Irish. The Germans come next, with
| $3.50: the English third, 4,24S; the Italians,
| 1896 the Scandinavians. 3,125; the He
brews. 2,765; the Poles, 2,o64, and the
| French, I94S.
I You will notice the remarkably small
number of Jews, Poles and Italians In char
| liable institutions In comparison with the
| large numbers who have come into the
/ country within the last few years.