New-York tribune., 1907-12-26
IMMIGRATION EVILS.
DIFFICULT TO REMEDY.
Senator Dillingham; Explains the
WorI; of HIS Commission.
!Fron The Tribune Bureau.J

mission created by Congress at its last session,
will not undertake 20 recommend any important
legislation affecting foreign immigration this
wear possibly not in course Of this Congress.
It is. Of course possible that some minor statu-
tory changes will be recommended by one or
.he other Of the committees on imnligrati tion but
+ is the purpose Of the commission to digest
the extensive data it has already acquired and
Thoroughly TO consider the results before pre-
senting it's findings to Congress.
For the first time since, in 1886. the inni-
grafton Of foreigners began TO present really
serious problems Congress has taken steps
necessary TO acquire comprehensive and accu-
rate light on the subject in ali its aspects, said
Senator Dillingham; when asked by a repre-
sentative Of The Tribune what were the plans
OF the commission Of which he is chairman.
In accordance with the expressed wish of Con-
gress. the commission has undertaken to probe
the subject TO the bottom and TO gather and
compile information which must prove for many
years invaluable in the consideration OF this
complex subject and the various problems that
grow out Of it OF course, conditions, abroad
as well as in the United States, changing
constantly but the members of the commission
ere confident that when it has completed its
work it Will have TO present d vast amount Of
information which will prove of the greatest
value guide TO Congress in its future deal
ings with this subject.
The work both at home and abroad has been
delegated to committees, and up to this
time few reports have been made and none has
been considered by the commission Conse-
quently conclusions have been reached; but.
speaking for myself. / may say that after ex-
tensive opportunities for observation abroad my
belief is that from now on the danger Of an ex-
cess of European immigration viii he less than
in the past. Throughout Europe the sentiment
in favor Of discouraging emigration TO the
United States is growing steadily, and in sew
eral instances a readiness TO cooperate with
this country, should It manifest desire TO cur
tail European immigration, was evident Ger
nany's great advance in industrial development
in the last decade has had marked influence
upon other Continental countries, and a disposi-
rion is everywhere manifest to develop home
industries which viii give employment 10 the
people In Italy from which country VIC are
drawing a larger proportion Of immigrants fhan
from any other, there has long been disposi-
ton TO encourage emigration 10 the United
States that is, the emigration Of the agrlcuIt-
ural laborer classes. This was partially because
men Of that class are industrious and thrifty
saving of their earnings and inclined to remit
2 large proportion Of them 70 their friends at
home. This has been done 10 such an extent
that Italy has felt the benefit thus derived
SOUTHERN PROBLEM IN ITALY.
The conditions there are CfdlSlIgy HONeNSA'
The Southern problem is one which the govern
r71ent is earnestly considering. Various meas
,Ires have been considered. and one that Is ohal-
longing the attention OF parliament at this time
contenlplates the purchase Of large estates from
their owners and the opening UP Of the same ID
settlement by small land owners What, II any,
1,rogress will he made in this direction IS prob
lernatical but il is evident that there IS grow
ing sentiment in favor Of the adoption OF some
means whereby the thrifty class Of laoorers
which have been coming 70 this country in large
numbers shall be retained for the development
of Italy's industries. I satisfied also that
,,e Italian government is fully alive TO the evils
arising from such societies As the Mana
Csuorra and the Black Hand. The government
does not now issue passports to any OF us su"-
iects whose destination is the United states
who have heretofore committed crime. some OIL
these however. take passports To Germany OF
France and come thence to the bnlted states
This class of immigration does not come from the
spric,1I11raI regions but from the larger clues
Ur5 eesnorts of Southern Italy and Sicily
.,C,ne of the important problems which the
commission has to deal with is how to keep out
.bis class Of immigration, and 10 this problem
,l,,, are giving their best attention and most
thorough examination. My opinion is that inc
Italian government will cooperate IN any rea-
sor7able plan that may be suggested, and the
hers Of these societies both in Italy and the
,-ri-ad States In Austria and Hungary, par
,,c,larlv in the latter. the governments are not
,,rI,, not encouraging emigration, but, so FAR as
1hev may properly do, are discouragins IL use
,be' term governments advsedy, because Austria
and Hungary are quite distinct in so far as lheii
domestic affairs are concerned, their unity heihs
based upon arrangements for national de1ehce'
etc In Hungary Is found most Intense ha
,ioral spirit and an enterprising determination
. foster encourage and develop home indus
tries manufacturing as wei as asrlculIu uIdi-
,1err,aDy's industrial Development before men
toned has Of course. provided an ample mar het
- ba- own Iaboring classes. and there is little
,.rospect of large German emigration 10 tliis
,,,,ntr, in the future. Emigration from Norway
ii c,,ed,n exists TO some extent. but these
,,4i,,,. roo are anxious to keep their labor
,- ,lasses AZ home and TO promote home INDUS
tries as far as possible
..v-nat of the emigration from the East, SYRIA
for instance
THAT ,resents somewhat different proh-
lan,. and one which calls for most carefni anu
.borrbtful consideration The tide OF ehisla-
tor from, the Levant is considerable in extent
and one IF the aims of the commission VIII "e
20 determine the character ana the assiiiiiid-
/ ity if / may use the eXpresslol' Vi 'ii'
,.s,,,la from that quarter of the globe The
1,,rI, of ir,,-esti igation in Asia Minor has beeh
,ornrnittea 20 a subcommittee. whose reports
are NOT vet completed and whose findings are
rut get known.
DEMAND FOR IMMIGRANTS
The most interesting and important feature
of The work OF he commission will be q thor
,.,,gh Investigation Of the demand for and III
;,,,eDce - immigration upon the United States