Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-09-07
IMMIGRATION.
United States Officials
Study Conditions Abroad
As Affecting the People Com
ing 10 the States
And How to Keep Out the Undesir.
able Glasses.

ried them through England and cont
mental Europe, the members Of the SUD
committee OF the United States imE1l
grafton commission, with Senator W IL
liam r. Dillingham; of Vermont as
chairman, arrived here today on boaf'
the White Star steamship Cedric. SOM
of the members Of the commission sft
still in Europe, completing their inVcS'
tigat lions. The members of the commit
tee returning today We're Senator D't'
lingham Of Vermont: Senator Asbury =
Latimcr of South Carolina; Congress
man benjamin +. Howell of New JHr-
sew: John l.. Burnett of Alabama, anu
Secretary Morton T.. Crane. The mem
herS have obtained much daGt Whlc'
they believe will aid in solving man
Of the immigration problems now con-
fronting the United States. The whole
committee Will meet later ana prepare
Il report ana recommendations which
will he submitted to Congress Sena-
tor Dillingham; on his arrival Eere ~
day made the following statement on
tho investigation Of immigration con-
Gitions abroad:
The subcommittee has visited aV-
cry European country from which Wt
receive any considerable number Of i'm
migrants ana has studied the more i'm
pnrtant phases Of the question IN cash
Italy was the first country visited an'
after pursuing Investigations in tE'
Suutnern provinces the Subcommittee
was divided.
Senator Latimer and Representa-
tivcs Howell and Burnett took charge
of the investigation in northern Italy
Switzerland, France, Germany. The
Netherlands, Belgium, Scotland and
Ireland
Representative Rennett proceeded tC
Greece, Turkey, Syria. Asia Miner, Pal
cstne and Roumania, while Commits
sioner Wheeler and myself gave atten'
ton to work in Austria, Hungary, Rus
sin AMI England.
senator Latimer. Mr.. Howell and
Mr. burnett also visited various Rus
sian points and Commissioner Wheeler
spent some time in Sweden and Den
mark The latter is now in England
engaged in some special features Of tho
work there and on the continent.
IN conducting their Investigations
abroad the commissioners gave special
attention to the methods employed by
the transportation companies IN hand
ling Cmigrants, the effect Of the United
state immigration laws upon European
emigration and the attitude Of the va
rfous countries towards the departure
Of their subjects to other lands. Tho
question Of preventing the coming OF
criminal classes into the United States
has been a q ief subject Of investiga-
tion IL the subcommittee ana it is
probable that important recommended
lions on this matter will be made t
Congress.
"Thr subject Of immigration is Z
paramount one in most Of The countries
we have visited ana in most Of them
the attitude towards emigration is not
favorable. Tho constant ana lcng con
tirurd drain upon the rural lnpula-
tiun. from which class the great ma
iprity Of crnigraNtS come and the gen
crnl pros pcrity which now prevails has
PRODUCED q scarcity Of farm labor and
ii is clHimc1 tic agricultural industry
is suffering III consequence. Because OF
this scarcity of labor the condition Of
those remaining at home has to q de-
grc" been improved but the general
land owners and 4 strong sentiment
against emigration has developed. a
very large proportion Of male. emil
grants leave their native countries al
4 time when they are liable to mill
tary service there and this constitutes
4 strong objection to such cmiErantS
on the contrary it is true that. in some
PARTS Of Europe at least, emigration is
not without its attending benefit ant
his Is recognized and considered. Fol
example there is L decided tendency or
tho part Of aliens Of certain rationale
ties to send back to their native cnun-
tries 4 large part Of their earnings il
tho United States.
Tho total amount Of money thus
transferred each year is enormous anj
the greater part Of ii goes to cOun.
tries where it is much needed an(
therefore highly appreciated. Added {,
| this is 4 desire on the part cf nearly
| all the seaboarl countries Of Europe &
| build III 4 merchant marine ana n;
| the carrying Of cmigrants is in man.
cases essential To the success Of sucf
! enterprises. the attitude Of such GOV