Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-06
Investigating Committee Home
From a Beautiful Trip.
SPENT DELIGHTFUL SUMNER
Took in Italy and the Alps and Saw
the Glaciers.
TOURING THE NETHERLANDS
Spent Much Time in the South of
France-Got Some In
formation.

NEW YORK September 6.-After a sew
eral months tour of inquiry into the immi-
grafton situation abroad, which carried
them through England and continental Eu-
rope the members of the subcommittee of
the United States immigration commission,
with Senator William T. Dillingham; of
Vermont as chairman arrived here today
on board the White Star steamer Cedric.
Some of the members of the commission are
still IN Europe completing their investiga-
tions. The members Of the committee re-
turning today were Senator Dillingham;.
Senator Latimer of South Carolina. Repre-
sentatives Howell of New Jersey. Burnett
of Alabama and Secretary Morton E.
Crane. The members have obtained much
data which they believe will aid in solving
many of the immigration problems
confronting the United States. The whole
committee will meet later and prepare a
report and recommendations, which will be
submitted to Congress.
Senator Dillingham; made the following
migration conditions abroad:
The subcommittee has visited every
European country from which we receive
any considerable number of immigrants,
and has studied the more important phases
of the question in each. Italy was the first
country visited, and after pursuing inves-
legations in the southern provinces the sub
committee was divided. Senator Latimer
and Representatives Howell and Burnett
took charge OF the investigation in north
ern Italy. Switzerland, France, Germany,
the Netherlands. Belgium. Scotland and
Ireland Representative Bennett proceeded
TO Greece. Turkey. Syria. Asia Minor, Pal
estine and Roumania, while Comm .ssioner
Wheeler and myself gave attention to the
work in Austria-Hungary. Russia and
England. Senator Latimer. Mr.. Howell
and Mr.. Bennett also visited various Rus
sian points. and Commissioner Wheeler
spent some time in Sweden and Denmark
Mr. Wheeler is now in England, engaged in
some special features of the work there
and on the continent
May Make Recommendations.
I'm conducting their investigations abroad
the commissioners gave special attention to
the methods employed by the transportation
companies in han ling emgr;Slts, the effect
of the United States immigration laws upon
European emigration, and the attitude of
the various countries toward the departure
of their subjects to other lands. The aues-
Ton of preventing the coming of criminal
classes into the United States has been
chief subject of Investigation by the SUBJ
committee, and it is probable that important
recommendations on this matter will be
made to Congress.
The subject of emigration is a para
mount one in most of the countries we have
visited. and in most of them the attitude
toward emigration is not favorable The
constant and long continued drain upon the
rural population from which class the
great majority of EN- grants come, and the
general prosperity which now prevails have
produced scarcity of farm labor. and it is
claimed the agricultural industry is suffer
ing in consequence. Because of this scarcity
OF labor the condition of those remaining at
nome Las, to a degree. been improved but
the general condition is causing much alarm
among landowners. ana strong sentiment
against emigration has developed. A very
large proportion of male emigrants leave
are liable to military service there and this
constitutes strong objection to such emil
grants. on the contrary, ii is true that, in
some pars OF Europe a least. emigration is
not without it's attending benefit and this
Is recognized and considered For example
there is decided tendency on the part of
aliens of certain nationalities to send back
10 their native countries a large part of
their earnings in the United States The
total amount of money thus transferred
cach year Is enormous, and the greater part
or II goes to countries where II is much
needed, and therefore highly appreciated
Steamship Activity.
Added to this is a desire on the part OF
nearly all the seaboard countries of Eu-
rope to build up a merchant marine and as
the carrying of emigrants is in many cases
essential to the success of such enterpris g
the attitude of such governments toward
emigration is affected accordingly. These
are the real forces that control the situa-
ton in Europe today. and the trend of af-
fairs indicates that more attention and
greater supervision of emigration on the
part Of the countries most concerned will
result The chief causes of emigration from
Europe are widespread knowledge that
labor IS more generously rewarded in Amer
lea than at home, the advice and financial
assistance of relatives and friends who
have already emigrated, and the persistent
activity Of agents selling steamship tickets
who to be found all over Europe despite
the fact that soliciting emigration is pro-
hibttd by the law in nearly every Euro
pean country and by our own immigration
laws.
During the tour of inquiry and inves IL
cation the commissioners have secured i'm
portant information and have made ar
ranEements to secure more and feel conf
dent that before their work is completed
recommendations can be made to Congress
which. if enacted into law, will be both val
uable and important
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts. a men,
Der of the immigration commission. has re-
Gently investigated immigration conditions
along the Atlantic seaboard. Senator Lodge
and the members of the subcommittee OF
the commission, who returned today from
Europe. are expected to hold a meeting of
the full commission early in the fall.