davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
By Robert Watchorn.

Commissioner of immigration.
Public opinion is all wrong, or near
ly SO, upon many phases of the immi-
grafton question. With more than a
million immigrants a year we cannot
supply the urgent demands for labor
The army of workers adds enormously
to the wealth and prosperity of the
country.
1t is not the scum of Europe we are
getting, but the pick of the most ear
nest and Woodworking of it's popula-
ton. AS to the morality of the immi-
grants of to-day, it seems to me that
it compares favorably with that of
our native born population.
All this is not matter of mere
by the actual statistics. Mr.. Reeves
figures, it seems to me, in some re-
spects, understate the facts. He men
tons $500 a year as the earning power
of these immigrants. AS matter of
fact, these men will earn more, on
the average, than dollar a day. I
think the figure may safely be in
creased by at least so per cent. With
in a few days Mr.. Charles Lorhn, the
New York state commissioner of la
Dor, came to me in search of men I
could not supply. He estimated that
New York state alone needed 100000
men, to whom he would pay $25
month and board on the farms alone.
Now, that does not look much like
overcrowding or the impossibility of
assimilating we hear so much about.
Of the million, or, to be exact, the
1,001, 756, immigrants last year more
than ten per cent. were over the age
limit and a great proportion brought
their wives. About SO per cent. may
be classed as workers. But in another
sense they were all workers. There
were no idlers, scarcely one who
would shirk his duty. And as to their
morality, the average is certainly
good. These immigrants are placed
upon a probation for three years.
Should they get into trouble in this
time they are liable to be deported.
Last year there were for all causes
less than 1900 deported. I question
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
HEROIC SNAKE BITE CURE.
Operation Was Unpleasant, but Ger.
tainly Saved Life.

Il got a lesson in treating snake
bites awhile ago that may stand me in
good stead some day, although 1 can't
say it was pleasant to learn" said
Frank Hargis. Il was out with a pros
pecting party in Nevada and was cross
ing one of the arid wastes that made a
large part of that state a desert until
the discovery of gold attracted people
there.
There were two other eastern men
besides myself and we had a veteran
guide with us. Rattlesnakes are numer-
Gus in that country and the guide told
US to beware of them, as they are
just about the color of the sand and it
is very difficult to see them. l was
walking along the sand during short
stop when a warning rattle told of
snake in my path. jumped to one
side and almost on top of another
snake.
Il just heard it rattle and then felt
singing sensation in my leg. /
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12

If our native born population San show
a better record.
The modern immigrant CT to-day. it
seems to me, is greatly misunderstood.
We have q great deal of talk about
the menace of the immigrant from the
south of Europe. A few decades ago
most of the immigrants came from
Ireland, while Germany ranked second
and Great Britain third. Italy and
Russia sent comparatively few. To-
day the situation is pra.- Ideally re-
versed. Last year we received 267. 900
from Italy, 10000 from Russia and
but $4,000 from Ireland and 10000
from Germany. From Austria and
Hungary some $4,000 reached our
shores. 1t is unfair to say that the
north of Europe is no longer repre-
scented. But are the immigrants from
the southern countries dangerous or
undesirable? The statistics of crime
do not prove it. The Italian is a hard
worker We should remember that
the Latin people were highly civilized
when the north of Europe was peo-
pied with savages. The southern
countries may not have progressed Of
late, but the impulse is still there, and
with unlimited opportunities of Amer
lea before them who can tell what
they may not accomplish in the fu-
ture?
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Sewers Connection With Company.


e. B. Cottrill, general manager of
the Wisconsin Telephone company has
severed his connection with the COM
pany after a service of Fl years in
which time he rose from a minor
clerkship to one of the highest posi-
lions with the company. At the last
meeting of the board of directors 1t
was decided to combine the Office of
general manager with that of presi-
dent. The consolidation of these two
offices was proposed as much in the
nature of an economy as well as better
to align the lines of organization, 9th
er large corporations having found it
profitable as well as advisable to have
these two positions joined in one per-
son. The additional work entailing
greater responsibilities upon President
Burt, the Office of assistant general
manager was created and filled by APP
pointing H. o. Seymour who had acted
as special agent for the company for
the last five years. Under the circum-
stances Mr.. Cottrill deemed it best to
resign at once.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Plan to Attract immigrants.

Plan to Attract immigrants.
Marinette county already has de,
velopment association organized to
work with the state board of immigra-
ton in its efforts to people the north
ern wilderness and make grass and
grain grow where now are to be found
stumps and brush, ferns and wild ber-
ry bushes. timber and opportunities to
make money. That it required nothing
more than suggestion from the state
commissioner of immigration, A. ID.
Campbell, to bring about such an or
ganization is explained by the fact
that there are in Marinette county
more members of the Wisconsin I'M
migration and Development associa-
ton than in any other county in the
state with the single exception of Mil
waullee. Also, Elmer Grimmer of Mar
inette is a director of the association,
the organization that brought about
the establishment of the state board
of immigration. Also. again, Marinette
county in general and the city of Mari
nette in particular are awake and
ready for a campaign which may be
described in the vernacular of going
some" The articles of incorporation of
the Marinette County Development as
ISOLATION were forwarded to the Sec
rotary of state at Madison this week
and the organization is now ready for
business. That the membership of the
body is not confined to citizens of the
county seat is shown by the list of Of
flcers. ]. B. Wood of Amberg is presi-
dent, George e. Bogrand of Wausau-
kee, secretary, d. j. McAllister of
Marinette, vice president, and l.. j.
McAlpin of Marinette, treasurer. The
directors are T. e. Moves, l.. j. Evans,
t. ]. Redeling and P. A. Martineau, OF
Marinette; j. l.. Hallenbeck, Dunbar;
H. P. Bird, Wausaukee; S. ID. Wood
ward, Peshtigo; Peter Nelson, Beaver;
Philip Dwyer, Pound.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Ambitions of McGovern.

A political rumor of some moment
is to the effect that District Attorney
McGovern Of Milwaukee will be the
Republican candidate for mayor Of that
city next spring, the boyish executive
having decided that one term is quite
sufficient for him. There have been
whisperings more or less pronounced
for some months that Mr.. McGovern
would be candidate for the Republic
can nomination for governor next
year. 1t is quite natural that this other
rumor should follow. If it turns out
that the rumOr is based on fact it will
not mean that the district attorney
has abandoned his hunt for the gov
ernorship. Indeed, if he is a candi-
date for mayor of Milwaukee that fact
will be pretty good confirmation that
he is a candidate for governor, and
will push his claim with all of the
skill and energy at his command. 1t is
remembered by the older residents
of the state that the position of mayor
of Milwaukee has long been regarded
as fairly good stepladder upon which
to climb to higher stations.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
BY Emerson Mcmillan.
Chairman Conciliatory Committee of
Civic Federation.

Chairman Conciliatory Committee of the
Civic Federation.
Decidedly I favor an intelligent re-
striction of immigration on both our
eastern and western seaboards. With
out being an alarmist, venture to say
that the problem grows more difficult
each year and must ultimately de-
mand a solution. America has accom-
plished wonders in aSsimilating great
hordes of immigrants from many diff
ferent countries, but it is very serl'
Gus question how long at the present
rate of increase she can continue to
do so. Now it seems to me that when
foreigners come to us in such num-
bers that they form separate and dis
tinct communities, preserving their
language and traditions intact, they
constitute a menace. When such a
colony is formed it is difficult to break
up. Assimilation goes on very slowly.
AS a rule, the immigrant of recent
years differs from us widely IN his
ideas of morality, his attitude toward
the law and in his general point OF
crimes committed, the names are usu'
ally foreign. The Black Hand out
RACES, for instance, have doubtless
been greatly exaggerated, but such as
they are they are a foreign importa'
ton, and of very recent years.
It is undeniable, of course, that the
coming of these millions OF laborers
has contributed much to the wealth
and prosperity of the country. But
should this army of workers be IN
creased indefinitely? We have pop
ulation to-day in excess of 8O,OOO,OOG
very active and alert people. 1t would
seem that the natural resources oil
the country could be developed anc
the great business of the land carried
forward very well with our present
population and it's natural increase.
And am not among those who have
any fear of race suicide. The in
crease in the number of immigrants
from year to year is astonishing. Can
we continue to receive this army In
definitely without some day reducing
our scale of income to that of Europe?
Does it seem probable that the Slavs.
the Russian Hebrews, the Sicil1ans
and others who are coming to us IL
such numbers to-day will in few
wears have risen as have the Irish
and have become as good Americans:
And if these foreigners with traditions
and manners very different from our
own are not assimilated, the problem
becomes a very serious one.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Mayor Becker at Madison.

Mayor Becker of Milwaukee, and his
secretary, George r. Cove, arrived
here in the mayors auto and left
the next day for Beloit. Mayor
Becker was the chief speaker
at the reunion of the Dodge County
Veterans association. Your lives and
your deeds will always be sung" the
mayor said 1T was your glorious ex-
ample which inspired our younger gen.
Grafton when they left their homes,
their wives and their children to enter
the doubtful conflict with Spain in
1898. For their part in that short but
eventful epoch they are deserving of
the same glory which our people love
to bestow upon the veterans of the
war of the rebellion"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Question of criminaIity.


Question of CriminaIity.
AS to criminality, we can find none
supporting the theory that in general
immigration is of a criminal sort.
Here and there may be found minor
facts and figures on that side, it is
true. The southern Italians, without
question, are unusually illiterate and
addicted to the settlement of differ
the Italians roughly with the Black
Hand system of blackmail. The south
Italians are but a small fraction of all
immigration; the class of crimes to
which they are prone is minor one
in our criminal records, the black
mail extorted by the Black Hand is
but a drop in the bucket compared
with the volume of extortion currently
practiced by American business men,
within and without the law, against
American-born victims.
Viewing the situation broadly, there
is no decisive evidence pointing to
the criminality of the average immi-
grant. There is much pointing to his
superiority over the average native
American to industry, sobriety and the
patient federation of adverse condi-
tions without outbreak Indeed, the
most decided evidence on this point
comes from Great Britain, which coun-
try complains that of all her immi-
grants the Americans are the most
criminal, being three or four times as
bad as the average of the rest and
ten times as bad as the Poles and
Hungarians.
We do not conclude from this too
hastily that America is ultra Grim
inal. But we quote it to signify that
he who seeks statistical support for
anti-immigration views, doing it in
sincerity and breadth, is apt to meet
with sour comfort.
Standard of Immigrants.
Our own conclusions are that the
vast majority of immigrants are slight
ly above our American standards in
industry, sobriety and patient self-re-
straint, though they are undoubtedly
below us in initiative. They come
from countries where unceasing toll
is the price of life, and where the get
rich-quick microbe is virtually I'M
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Will Be Political Hive.

State fair week will call together
more Wisconsin politicians than have
gathered since the primary election
law put an end to party conventions
and the meeting of chieftains and
their Iieutenants. This is certain
from the fact that many of the Re-
publican leaders in the various sec
lions of the state have declared that
they will be there to talk over next
years program and to find out what
has been going on or what is proposed.
In addition to this, the political lull
since the adjournment of the legisla-
ture is only a surface showing and not
truly an indication that the politicians
have been on vacation or have gone
out of business.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
To Inspect Superior Line.

After devoting a day to a hearing on
the application of the Wisconsin &
Northern Minnesota Railway company
for certificate of convenience and
necessity of construction of a line
through the city of Superior the state
railroad commission decided to send
one or more of its members to Supe-
rior to look over the proposed route
Of the new line and the location of the
lines of the companies opposing the
granting of the application. 1t is pro-
posed to settle the matter at once.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Protect Woman Defendant.

La Crosse.-Public feeling against
Mrs. Paul Malin, now in Jail at Viro-
qua, has been so strong that the au-
thorities postponed her examination.
She is accused by coroners jury of
administering carbolic acid to her
brother-in-law, Carl Schmidt In the
community near Genoa, where
Schmidt lived, the farmers will not
listen to the theory of innocence. The
defense, however, is confident of ac-
uuittal
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
BROWNS IN 10 INCHES OF WATER.
Milwaukee Workman Falls to Bottom
of Elevator Shaft and Death.

Milwaukee-JacobJ Johnson, an EN-.
ploye of the Burger Bedding company,
531 Market street, was found dead in
the bottom of an elevator shaft in the
factory. Johnson was missed all
night and his wife and family searched
all over for him. In the morning his
son found his body Johnson appar-
emily had fallen from the first floor
to the basement, and in falling struck
his forehead, which stunned him. He
rolled to the bottom of the shaft
where there was ten inches of water,
and drowned
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
The Best Farming County.

Which is the best farming county
in Wisconsin? The claim to this dis
tinction made by Oconto county has
aroused very heated controversy
throughout the state. For a number
of years Oconto men like former Gov.
Edward Scofield, o. A. Ellis, George
Boyer, P. A. Badour, l.. p. Perry have
been touting Oconto as the 'best ag-
ricultural county" There was reason
to believe that local pride had in a
measure clouded their judgment, how
ever, and an investigation is now un-
dertaken in order that the facts may
be ascertained. The present year, it
is explained, has not been favorable
one, as the rainfall has not been suffi-
cient to supply the moisture required
for bumper crops. Yet there has not
been a crop failure. Hay is reported
to be poor, about half crop, it is said,
but when the question is asked what
is meant by half a crop" it is ex-
planned that from one to one and a
half tons to the acre is understood
there to be poor crop, almost fail
ure.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
State Capital Notes
Weekly Budget Gathered by Our
Special Correspondent at Madison.

Madison.-The state railroad COM
mission heard the applications of
the Menomonee Falls and Reedsburg
telephone companies for authority to
raise their rates for telephone service,
the application of the Wausau Street
Railway company for authority to is
sue bonds for improvements and the
applications of the Interstate Transfer
Railway company and the 500 COM
pany to build roads in Douglas county.
No action was taken by the commits
sion on any of the applications. The
most interesting of the applica-
lions heard was that of the Inter
state Transfer Railway company,
which is owned by the United States
Steel corporation and which desires
to build belt line from the corpora
tons big steel plant in Duluth
around the city of Superior to what
is known as Wisconsin point on Lake
Superior connecting with all of the
railroads running into the two cities
at the head of the lakes. f. E..
House, president of the Duluth & Iron
Range Railway company, and M. A.
McGonagle, vice president of the Du-
luth, Mesaba & Northern Railway
company, both of which corporations
are owned by the Steel Trust, testified
regarding the necessity of building a
belt line to connect the steel plant
with the roads running into Duluth
and Superior. Attorney Cotton, of the
steel trust, also spoke on the neces-
sity of constructing the proposed line.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Summer Law School Ends.

The first summer session of the col
lege of law Of the University of Wis
consin came to a successful close. The
new undertaking has proved sue
cess in every respect and has demon
strated the need of a summer term for
students of law, as well as for those
in other departments of the state uni
versity. The enrolment for this sum
mer was Sc.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Making Tour of the Lakes.

James H. Davidson, of Oshkosh, has
left for Buffalo to join the rivers and
harbors committee of congress on a
tour of inspection of the great lakes.
The party will traverse the st. Law
renee river, inspecting the proposed
location of channels for diverting part
of the flowage for hydraulic purposes.
Two matters will be considered, one
whether the United States govern
ment will approve of the plan and
whether the British government can
be induced to accede.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Nav Die from Horses Kick.

Racine.-George Schmidt, team.
ster employed at the Case Threshing
Machine company, lies at his home in
a critical condition, the result of being
kicked over the heart by horse. He
was leading the animal to water and
when kicked he was lifted from his
feet and thrown ten to twelve feet.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Contingent.

Soulful Girl-Oh, does it not make
you happy, as Ruskin says, to watch
the corn grow?
Young Farmer-Well. that depends
on whether you're watchin' it grow
on your side or the other side OF the
line fence.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Tobacco Men to Meet.

Chippewa Falls.-Thomas Emmer-
ton, president of the state branch of
the American Society of Equity, has
called meeting of the tobacco grow
ers of Wisconsin to be held at Madi-
son October and 10. The principal
object of the meeting is to devise plans
for the control of the marketing of the
tobacco crOD
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Live Stock Show Will be Enormous.

Notwithstanding the state board of
agriculture has added cattle barn
that occupies almost a city block and
that all the old cattle barns were re-
modelled into horse barns, difficulty
is being found by Secretary True and
Superintendent Wylie and Hill in
placing all of the cattle and horses,
entries for which buried the force Of
clerks at the fair grounds at Milwnu-
kee. There never was such live
stock show held in the United States
as this one," said former Senator
Wylie.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
State Contracts Awarded.

During the last few days the state
board of control awarded a contract to
Otto Neitge of Mankato, Mimi, for the
construction of three large dormitor-
les at the state home for the feeble
minded. Neitge's bid of $4,000 was
the lowest of eight submitted. The
highest bid was $164,0O0, submitted
by w. B. Danielson of Milwaukee.
The board also awarded contract
to Isenberg Bros. of Baraboo for the
construction of cottage for babies
at the state school for dependent
children at Sparta, the bid of $4,000
being the lowest of half dozen sub
mitted
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Shot Guns BaIk Railroad.

An attempt by the Chicago, Milwau-
kee & st. Paul railroad, abetted, it is
charged by the board of regents of the
university, to force spur track across
the property of A. w. Gratz on West
Johnson street while Mr. Gratz and his
family were away from home, was
frustrated by the timely arrival Of
Fred Gratz who, with couple of shot
guns, kept two section crews off the
property until help arrived, by threat
ening to blow off the head of the first
man who attempted to start work.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
As to Pauper Labor.

A great deal of the misunderstood
ing is due to the use of that term pau
per labor. I have estimated trat
every immigrant in coming to Amer
lea spends on an average from $50 to
500 for transportation. This includes
his fare from his home to the point of
departure, the crossing of the Atlantic
and the railroad fare to his destina-
ton. In other words, they spend up
ward of $1O0,0O0,000 year in search
of work. Let us suppose, for sake Of
argument, that Russia suddenly held
out great opportunities for money
making so that Americans by the mil
lion were attracted there. 1t seems to
me that 100000 native born citizens
might have some difficulty in raising
$100,000000 for transportation. And
in addition this army of incomers car
ried with them more than $20,000,900
in cash.
There is, of course, urgent need Of
the restriction of immigration, but
such restriction is already in force.
The laws governing the situation are
very rigid; they have been devised by
intelligent men, familiar with the sit
uation, working in sympathy with
these people as we'll as in the best in
terests of the country. And the laws
are being enforced. AS the need for
further restriction occurs it will re-
ceive due attention. Meanwhile the
demand for laborers throughout the
country is very urgent. The immi-
grants are adding hundreds of mil
lions of dollars to the wealth OF
America, while they help themselves
to a broader and more prosperous life.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-09-12
Accident Hats Train.

Superior.-All trains to Duluth were
held on the Superior side of the bay
because of an accident to the North
ern Pacific drawbridge. The bridge
was struck by an unknown steamer
and could not be closed for passage of
trains until it was repaired.