The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-06-06
IMMIGRANTS NOT
ANXIOUS TO COME
Discovery Made at Ellis Island
Astonishes Commission Repre-
senti,1g Southern States.
ORGANIZATION is AFFECTED
--.----------
Steps Taken Leading to Inmedi-
ate Establishment Of Bureau
in New York.
ORGANIZATION is AFFECTED
(By Associate Press

(By Associate Press)
NEW YORK, June 5.--A resolution re-
questing that Congress allow the impor-
tation OF labor by employers and that the
contracts between such laborers and their
employers be filed with the government
at the port Of entry, was to- day presented
by MAX Robinson TO the Southern States
Immigration Commission, which met In
this city to discuss methods for the se-
curing OF desirable immigrants for the
South Tho resolution provides that the
wages to be paid under such contract
be not less than the recognized standard
OF the locality in which the work is to
be done. and further expresses disap..
prevail OF the bill providing for additional
educational qualifications and an In
creased head tax as a bar to the impor-
tation OF a. desirable class OF immigra-
ton. Action on the resolution was de-
ferred until the commissions return from
their inspection OF Ellis Island late to-
day.
A letter was also read from Theodore
A1arburg, OF Baltimore. who is a member
OF the Immigration Committee OF the
Civic Federation. In which Mr.. h1arburg
wrote that only four and q half per cent.
OF the Immigrants coming to this country
last year went to Southern States and
that there was urgent need IN the South
of an immigrati ton OF q new race, which
buttons to 1progresss. * g5
Commission Surprised.
The members OF the commission in
spected the immigration station on Ellis
Island to-day. on invitation OF lmmigra-
ton Commissioners Watchorn. In the
course CT an address to the commission
crs, Mr.. Watchorn said:
"Immigrants who arrive here are for
Northern points, and If you were to try
and steer them from their several points,
they would think you were bunco men.
Unless the wages OF the South nrt
brought up to the standard of those Of
the North. you cannot expect immigrants
to 20 South, and II you did get them to
CO. they would not stay, because they
would probably hear from their relatives
In the North, who were making more
money
q This statement caused surprise among
members OF the commission. who seemed
to be under the impression that immi-
grants have no special destination, and
would gladly accept any proposition
which was made them In order that
the commission might be convinced, Com
missioner Watchorn allowed Chairman
James E. Graybill to question several o.
the immigrants. or the half dozen or
more questioned, not one would consent
to- abandon the place he was bound for
ana go south.
Officers Elected.
z The election of permanent officers OF
the commission resulted as follows:
President, T. K. Bruner. OF North Caro-
lima; Vice-P esdent. d. w. Coons, OF
Kentucky: Secretary and Treasurer,
David Robinson, of Georgia.
After the regular meeting the execu-
tive committee held meeting, at which
arrangements were made for the imre-
date establishment Of a bureau In New
York to carry forward the work out
lined, in securing and directing desirable
immigrants to the South.
David Robinson was chosen commits
sioner in charge OF the bureau. and Dr..
Thomas r.. slicer. who, though resi-
dent OF New York, was put down as
representing his native State, Maryland,
whose Governor had sent no representa-
tive, was chosen chairman Of the execu-
tive committee. Mr.. Robinson said that
the bureau would go to work imme-
diately.
The commission adjourned subject to
the call OF the chair. sfig