The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1906-11-29

Do Immigrants Wa. / Farm Work..


The following letter from the practical
Farmer" of Philadelphia, is interesting just at
this time:
arm help is scarce and hard to get, even
near New York, the greatest immigration port
in the world. A million immigrants, all out OF
] work as a necessary qualification for adj
4 mission into the country under our labor laws
arrived in America last year. Needing help,
I decided to tap this human flood at the high
water mark on Ellis Island, where, according
to published statements, as many as ten
thousand arrivals knocked for admission on
busy days. Supplied with good letters OF
recommendation, | went to the Oenotechnic
Station sof the Italian Government in New
York, as Italy probably furnishes more innni-
grants to America than are received from any
other country. found the official in charge a
| courteous gentleman DESTROYS Of seeing his
(countynen settled upon American farms
|aWay from the squaid quarters of the cities.
Il applied to him for an experienced man, must
he married, willing to work upon farm and
board one additional man in his family. Of
tered $500 per year in cash, for services, use
iOf GOOD farm house, not tenanent, furniture,
/ food, fuel and light. Groceries would include
| some Italian speciaIties but mo olive oil or
wine; vegetables, preserved and fresh fruit,
meat eggs from yarded fowls, milk and cream
from good jersey COW. No services to be re-
CURED from the wife excepting the gathering
VI sllCOUCU dIlOuIll~ OF SIrdWOGrrlGS ana
vegetables grown on the place for the innmedi-
ate use of the family in order to ensure fresh
ness and the work incidental to boarding and
dOIng the rough laundry Of the extra man. AS
supplies would all be furnished, his board was
not an item of expense to the family Veg
etableS raised and fuel provided by the help
performed strictly in regular work hours be-
tween I a. m. and 8 p. m No COWS to milk
excepting the one jersey whose milk would be
used by themselves. was trying to make the
offergood enough to hold permanent help.
asked II objected to a couple with child,
stated that would accept one with an infant.
II believe the offer is equivalent to $3.50 Der
year, and splendid pay for an experienced inn
migrant whose increasing family would con-
stanty add to his cost for me. was uiven a
letter to the italian agent at Ellis Island and
told to come back the next day if could not
secure help.
A minor enpIoye Of the government at the
terry told me could not get an immigrant at
Ellis Island for a million dollars, and added
with good-natured Irish twinkle in his eyes:
know you Won't pay that much for one.
How would it look for the government to be
hiring them out? That would be slavery"
Arriving at the island presented my letter and
was told that it would take two or three days
to tlnd couple for sr1e those just landing
would have friends to look up and visit for a
day or SO before going to work Possibly a
single man might be found at once, but that
was not certain. Delay was both expensive
and uncertain. Wondering if my reference
was questioned, offered to pay the expense
OF wiring for bank reference or calling up a
city importing house by telephone for further
recommendations. It was Of no USE The
only satisfaction could get was the promise
of letter as soon as the help was found,
which | considered too indefinite to be de-
pended upon, for had not thousands Of in1n-
grants been arriving daily for weeks past who
might be supposed to have finished their visit
ing with friends and be ready for work? had
spent practically two days in New York and
was actually in sight Of shipIoads of innni-