The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-06-08
QUIET IN THE MINING REGION PAID VISIT TO ELLIS island /
Members of Commission Inspect
immigration Station
Methods for Securing Desirable Immi-
grants for the South Discussed.
Surprising Statement Made by I'm
migration Commissioner Walthorn.

New York. June 5.-A resolution re-
questing that congress allow impor-
tation by employers and that the con-
tracts between such laborers and their
employers will be filed with the gov-
eminent at the port of entry, was today
presented by Max Robinson to the
Southern States immigration Commits
sion, which met in this city today 10
discuss methods for the securing of de-
sirable immigrants for the south. The
resolution further provides that the
wages to be paid under such contract
be not less than the recognized stand
ard of the locality in which the work is
to be done and further expresses dis
approval of the bill providing for addi-
tional educational qualifications and an
increased head tax as a bar to the i'm
p%Ortation of a desirable class of immi-
grafton Action on the resolution was
deferred until the commissions return
from their inspection of Ellis Island
late today.
A letter was also read from Theo-
dore Marburg, of Baltimore, who is a
member of the immigration committee
of the civic federation in which Mr..
Marburg wrote that only 4 1-2 per cent.
Of the immigrants coming to this ooun-
try last year went to southern states
and that there was urgent need in the
south Of an immigration of a new race
which can be counted to make its con-
tributions to progress.
The members Of the commission in
Spected the immigration station on E.
is Island today on invitation of Imml-
cation Commissioner Watchorn. In the
cours of an address to the commits
sioners Mr.. Watchorn said:
Immigrants who arrive here ara
for northern points, and if you were
to try and steer them for southern
points they would think you We're
bunco men. Unless the wages of the
south are brought up to the standard
of those of the north you cannot X
pect immigrants to 60 south, and II
you did get them to go they would not
stay because they would probably near
from their relatives in the north WIN
were making more money
This statement caused SURPRISE
4 duIOlS uItluUtIS Vi IL OOll1LJlSS1cIl
| who seemed to be under the impression
| that immigrants have no special des
| tination, and would gladly accept any
/ proposition which was made them In
| order that the commission might be
! conviced Commissioner Watchorn al
| lowed Chairman James E. Graybili to
| question several of the immigrants. Of
| the half dozen or more questioned not
| one would consent to abandon tn.
| place he was bound for and go south.
The election of permanent officers
/ of the commission resulted Is fol-
! lows:
P~resident-T. K. Bruner, of North
| Carolina.
Vice President-D. w. Coons, o.
! Kentucky.
Secretary and Treasurer-David Rob
inson, Of Georgia
After the regular meeting, the e.
| ecutive committee held a meeting Il;
| which arrangements were made fo'
| the immediate establishment of a bu-
! reau in New York to carry forward
| the work outlined, in securing and de-
| liyering DESTROYS immigrants to the
! south.
David Robinson was chosen commits
! sioner in charge of the bureau and DR.
| Thomas r. Silver, who though a res
| ident of New York, was put down as
| representing his native state, Mary
| land, whose governor had sent no rep
| resentative, was chosen chairman OF
| the executive commission. Mr.. Rob-
| inson said that the bureau would 20
| to work Immediately. The commission
| adjourned subject to the call OF the
| chair.