The Washington herald., 1907-02-25
LABOR Is DISCUSSED
Secular League Hears Views
on immigration.
DR.. CROFFUT MAIN SPEAKER
Says Textile Manufacturers should
Not BE Blamed for Low Wages.
grants Coming Into United States.
J. Phelps stokes to Speak.

Immigration was the subject or Inree
hours of discussion by the members Of
the Washington Secular League, at their
regular Sunday afternoon session, at
Pythian Temple yesterday. As is the
custom of the organization, the principal
address was followed by ten-minute talks
by different members. criticising or up
holding the arguments OF the principal
speaker.
Yesterdays address was delivered by
Dr. ". a Croffut, who presented a
scientific and statistical side of the sub
ject, standing pat for present immigra-
ton conditions. DR.. Croffut attacked the
arguments Of those labor. leaders who de-
cry immigration as dangerous to labor
The speaker produced figures tending to
show that the influx of foreigners was in
no way detrimental TO American labor.
LabOrers in Better Condition.
In this connection the speaker said. in
part:
THE laborer Of to-day is four times
better off than he was 100 years ago. His
wages have increased at that rate and
the cost Of living has greatly diminished
ers, whose employees work for such small
wages, is unjust. The manufacturers
cannot raise their wages and continue in
business. The market price Of the
products will not permit of It
DR.. Croffut branched into socialism,
and attacked the sociaIisuc creed from
all sides. He declared that the theory of
socialists that the laborer should oTn
the thing he produces is absurd inasmuch
as the laborer no longer owns the product
after having sold his labor to the en-
ployer.
Mai. Clark Praises Immigrant.
Mai. John Il Clark, of the United States
Immigration Bureau. spoke briefly on i'm
migration and gave statistics showing that
1.l0O.7S5 immigrants came to this country
last year. Maj. Clark said this was the
banner year and that the investigations
of the bureau showed that the vast ma
jority OF these immigrants were Of fine
stock and due to become excellent citi-
zens.
There is a vast miscOnception of what
immigration really is" said Maj Clark
People have such a slight superficial
idea Of the subject and yet they venture
the most absurd and ridiculous aTgu-
ments. Scientific observation and study
show US conclusively that we want no re-
strictiOn as to quantity. but restriction
as 10 quality These million and more
immigrants that came over last year
brought $25,0O0,0o0 IN cash into this coun-
try. We have figured that each immi-
grant means dramatically $500 10 Amer
lea. This wealth is not 10 be despised."
DIR. Shirley Disagrees.
Maj. Clark spoke of the life in this
country OF the various types OF immi-
grants, praisins the Italians. Poles. and
Lithuanians in high terms. IN speaking
Of the Poles he said that the majority Of
the children OF Polish immigrants became
better citizens than many Of the origina!
stock of Americans who brag SO because
they happened TO get TO the wharf first q"
Prof David Eccles upheld the views Of
the first two speakers with the exception
that he advanced an argument in favor
Of placing striCter educational qualihca-
tons in the immigration laws
Dr. J. J. Shirley, president of the league,
disagreed with Dr. CrOfGt. stating that
there was much more poverty in America
al present than ever before, that prices
Of commodities were much higher. and
that the workingmen was nowhere near
as well OF as 100 years ago. Several
others made socialistic speeches. and DR..
Croffut was given ten minutes to close
his arguments Dr. Croffut read more
statistics in refutation Of President Shir-
ley's criticisms.
II was announced that J. Phelps Stokes,
the millionaire Socialist" Of New York
would address the league, Sunday, March
3, on The Reasonableness of Socialism. -