The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1906-06-15
ALIENS FOR THE SOUTH
She Must Offer More to Get I'm
migrants. Says Watchorn.

mlgrants, says WatcnOrn.
ADVISES An INCREASE m WAGES
Co0missioncs 81 Immigratlon Says
Duropeans Coming to the United
states Have . Definite Aim-As an
nxperimeat Members Of southern
Commisaion Try % Change Their
lGanas, bat In vain.
III the south wants immigrants she
will have to raise wages to the level
that prevails In the north and west"
This was the blunt advice given to
the southern states immigration conn
mission by Robert Watchorn, commits
sioner Of immigration. He welcomed
some thirty members Of the new or
ganization to ELLIS Island the other
day, showed them the workings of the
place and told them what they would
have to expect In the attempt to de-
fleet Immigration toward the south,
says the New York Times.
"You may think that immigrants
come to this country without knowing
where they are going" said Commits
sioner Watchorn, "and that you can
get them az they land from the boats.
II IaSnpts 80. Out Of eNery 400 that
con9 800 know exactly where
they s61teing. II you try to make
them change their minds by telling
them how superior the south is they
are apt to think you are confidence
men, II you don't believe It just come
downstairs and see how many you can
per1nade to alter their course"
The commissioner and the visitors
trooped Into the railroad room." where
dozens of swarthy Europeans were
waiting to be shipped of. The Louisi-
ana representative approached star
ing Italian, and the other southerners
crowded around to listen.
"What Is your business?" asked the
Louisiana man through the interpreter.
"Bricklayer." answered the Italian.
Then the southerner began to tell of
the manifold advantages Of living in
Louisiana. how an immigrant could get
ten acres OF land, a house. farming Inn
plements and many other things. The
Italian listened stolidly. When he had
heard the tnle to the end he said:
'Farming-it Is not my business"
That was all he had to say. The
man from Louisiana said he hadn't had
4 fair chance. He was. looking for
farmer. Commissioner Watchorn found
ave Greek farmers all In a row. 10
one Of them, who said he was bound
west to meet cousin, was told the
manifold advantages Of Louisiana.
The interpreter told him about the pigs
and the cows and the green grass and
the kind treatment he would get.
Looking at the stout man from Louisi-
ana, the Greek asked abruptly:
"Who are your Whom do you rep
resent9' @
The answer did not make the foreign
er enthusiastic.
"Pll 60 to my cousin" he announced.
That's the way It Is with 800 out Of
lO0," said Commissioner Watchorn.
The best chance you have Is to get
them after they reach their destination
-if they are disillusionized."
Several immigrants who had been
excluded by the board Of special In
quiry were brought into the commits
sioner's Office on appeal. 30 that the
visitors could see how the system work
ed. Three little Swedes, boy of
fourteen and twins OF eleven, were
the first comers. Their brother wanted
them out In Minnesota. but his afi-
davit had not satisfied the board.
When they fled In big Georgian said:
"I'll take 'em right now"
ssT'll give 'em q home and take care
OF 'em," volunteered . Tennesseean.
Their offers were not In order,
though, and the commissioner proceed
ed to question the children. Finally he
decided to overrule the boards de-
cision and let them 80 to Minnesota.
That pleased tho audience, and every
body applauded. The immigrants who
followed the Swedes, though, were eyi-
dsntly unfit, and the boards decisions
were upheld.
Luncheon was served on the Ellis
island roof garden. which Is the coolest
anywhere around New York city.
Then the commissioners told the south
ern states immigration commission
that be would always aid them In their.
work. and he invited them to visit Ellis
island whenever they could. They left
vowlng that Robert Watchorn was un-
surpassed both as an ofiicial and host.
A 4 - k1x~x