The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-11-23
SAYS FARMER NEEDS HELP.
Mr.. A. F. Trappe For Change In Inn
migration Laws.

The demand for desirable immigrants
has become so acute that the State Bureau
of Immigration has given the farmers the
advice to request the United States Con-
gress for repeal Of the present unreason-
able laws against immigration. Secretary
A. +. Trappe says that the United States
is confronted by serious problem, and
seems to fear that it is drifting in wrong
course if the stringent laws against immi-
grafton are not repealed. Mr.. Trappe
said
Everybody will admit that the adop-
tion of these laws was originally intended
to prevent European labor from taking the
work from men who were fighting for their
rights l admit that the organizations of
trades and labor unions were made neces-
sary by the immense Capitalization of capi-
tai and should receive all the protection
desired But in stretching the laws against
immigration there were several mistakes
made which Congress should rectify.
"From my own observation can say
every State in the Union needs new blood.
Our boys in this country are prevented by
the rules of the American Federation of
Labor from learning a trade. The large
corporations do not want to bother to teach
boys trade, and there we are. The old
experienced mechanics die, our boys seek
easier positions in life, the skilled man
from Europe is barred from coming here,
and what shall become of our great indus
trial enterprises. The good mechanic gets
good pay in Europe, and if he can get
better position in America he will not 60
as an adventurer, but would like to secure
position in advance. But, if he does so,
then there is our law, which demands that
such man be shipped back as contract
laborer, and the worthless rascal with a
smooth tongue is admitted free and re-
ceived with open arms.
ga much more serious condition con-
fronts our farming people, and you know
that these are the very people upon whom
the prosperity of industrial enterprises is de-
pendent. In every county of our own State
farm labor is wanted, and wanted badly.
An old man came to me with tears in his
eyes and begged me to provide him with
some good, steady men, as he could not
work any longer, and his farm ought to be
TILED to make livelihood for him and his
wife and unmarried daughters. Another
man from Montgomery county spoke in
even stronger terms to get help.
''We can easily get farmhands in Ger
many, Switzerland and Denmark for Amer
lea, provided we can promise them posi-
ton when they land in Baltimore. But if
[ do so these experienced industrial people
will be sent back as contract laborers. Is
there any sense in it? 1t is only necessary
for the law to be stretched little further
and drive away the men who come here
from Europe and are buying farms in
Maryland. I know that these men vio-
late the spirit of the present immigration
laws, because they have made contract
to buy land Why not apply the law to
these people also? What is good for the
goose is also good for the gander.
"Why not prohibit merchants from
coming to the jamestown Exposition be-
cause they have made contract to labor
here?
''Such people as came here years ago
and helped to make our city and State will
not come any more If anybody wants to
create value, it is the mass of human be-
ings who make the same. Put 5000, 900
or 10000, 900 people in the South and
you will see what wonderful change will
take place.