New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-31
ITALIANS IN THE SOUTH.
Success Secured by Immigrants in
Louisiana.

New Orleans March go (SpeciaD.-"The arrange
Hlents in New Orleans for receiving italian immi-
grants are simply atrocious." declares Miss Amy
bernardy' or Smith College. Northampton. Mass.
VINO has given much study to the subject of italian
immigration. Miss Bernardy spent two weeks in
Louisiana investigating conditions.
your greatest need continued Miss Bernardy.
is new immigrant station. The facilities here
should be at least good as those in New York
or Boston. The Italians should have a place to go
as soon as they arrive If left to their own in
cIlnations they wander over the city and soon be-
come enineshed In the coils Of vice and crime.
1hefe should be an immigrant station at New Or
leans and boats running directly between this port
ana Italy. instead of by way of New York In this
manner the best class OF Italians could secured
for work and settlement Southern lands"
Miss Bernardy made tour over the Gould sys-
tenn OF railroads in louisiana travelling incognta
She approached Italian colonies urCnnounced and
conducted her investigations without the settlers
or tie railroad companies knowing for what pur-
pose the information was desired. No opportunity
was given to make fal le showing
In discussing the general results of her tour Miss
bernardy said: Il find that the average Italian
colohlst IN Louisiana is most successful money
T max las good citizen excellent provider and
her fsts VIII prepare series Of papers for
Who renrg VICE and Department Consul Bernardy
'lo ION IN the principal journals OF Italy
hardy. with the success of Frank Desiglia and
S fnIee 9f9thers two OF them with their wives and
In January, I9O3 this little colony fresh from IaIy
and with little capital started to work under the
tenant system on the basis of 20 per cent-of the
value OF sugarcaneon the Poplar Grove plantation.
near Baton Rouge. La A certain amount OF cash
was advanced each fortnight according to their
heeHS In FEBRUARY they purchased four mules
tu equipment or S6S3 g. AT the enc of the season
this amount with stock feed advanced money and
per cent interest totalled ST. 500 So The colOnists
cleared Sl,l66 81 on fifty OF sugaTcane,
manning $lO3 70 in debt at the end Of the year.
IN the second year, beginning January. 1904.
5anto Allegro Joined the colony. Under the same
conditions they handled go acres. and made
most remarkable record. The account for the sec
ond year shows the money advanced by the planta-
uoh TOT supplies and payment OF wages due help
amounted to 1861 95 They obtained $l.275 for the
purchase or seven mules increasing their herd to
eleven Sale on the years crops amounted to
$lO.glO ., from which all debts paid, leaving
second years work, besides mules and Implements
their own property. This profit permitted them to
purchase fourteen acres the following year for
NlOO-$40O cash and the balance at the end Of the
year.
"On the fourteen acres these thrifty people
cleared $3.50 net profit the first year. Furthermore
their credit from the plantation owners amounted
TO 1888 To- clear OF all debts and expenses incurred
for provisions and money advanced for the main
tenance of both places
The 1906 crop short all around but out OF all
expenses there was net profit OF $6s7 % from ten
acres out OF twenty-siX, twelve acres having been
they paid $l.4O0 cash. The net profit this year out
OF Poplar Grove for work amounted to 800 free OF
any charge.
These people tell me-" said Miss Bernardv en-
dittons OF the place climate educational facilities
and treatment received in the community. and they
say they have not been Imposed upon In the pur-
chase OF supplies. There is no store the paTta-
viii consider this brilliant example OF an
Industrious people,