The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-10

pie will go at the problem intelligently and in liberal frame of mind they will solve it to their own satisfaction, while the country at large will be the gainer through the radical betterment in the ctN
 dition of our new foreign citizens Plan Outlined.
 What is your plan for securing such co-operation?'
 Tn the first place." said Mrs. Quacken- bos, T believe an association could be created which would be purely voluntary and which would represent all interests involved. For that reason I would go outside of the government, although the active sympathy and cooperation of the government would be indispensable. 1 have not formulated the details, but l believe an organization could be formed which would present first, the employ er including planters, millers, lumber men, miners, and all other industrial promoters. Secondly, I would represent the foreigners themselves by inviting the active association of their consuls gen. eral or other officers designated for the purpose by their ambassadors or ministers. I would invite representation on the part of the railroad companies in this country and the steamship lines on the ocean. There should be representa- tive of some great labor body, like the American Federation of Labor. Then, there should be, ex-officio, representatives of the national and state immigration de- partments
 With an organization made up of rep resentatives of the clements interested, it would be comparatively easy mat . ter to select labor advocate or general agent or arbitrator or whatever you might please to call him. The manufacturer, the planter, the lumberman and miner could then file their applications for la bor in a central bureau. The conditions of life and of employment could be ln- yestigated Tn advance, and subsequently the labor could be distributed on fair basis among the people forming the asso- ciation. I would protect the immigrant by guaranteeing to him 8 decent liveli- hood I would protect the employer by furnishing him the best grade of labor and by protecting him against the 1rauo and the swindler who would seek to evade responsibility for debt. Such an organiza- ton could refuse to supply labor unless the conditions were right, and 1t could protect the employer against the repeat CTS the rounders, and the industrial bounty jumpers
 Would Command Confidence.
 If properly managed, such an or ganization after awhile would command the confidence of the employer and of the immigrants themselves. It would be unnecessary to rake over Europe for labor supply. The immigrants would soon learn that such bureau had their best interests at heart and that It would personally investigate every application for labor before filling it.
 Tt should be understood that this IS an immigration question and not labor question except incidentally. The immi- grants continue to come here whether we want them or not. The problem is to place them where it will be best for them and be best for the country. After they become acclimated, so to speak, they can look out for themselves. Ihere must be a kindergarten period for every immigrant while he is learning Eng fish and acquiring the customs of new country One employer in Mississp- nj or North Carolina may be an angel or light and mercy, his next door neighbor may be a fiend. There ought to be somebody to protect the irf:~igrant until he is able to protect himself. One im- migrant is willing to work if given fair chance, another is looking only Tor q place where he can make money with out work The employer ought to be pro tected against this latter class The honest employer should not be made to suffer for the bad reputation fastened upon him by the dishonest laborer.' q honestly believe" continued this shrewd student of social problem, who has combined the law with settlement work. that such an organization as have outlined is entirely practical It would be joint association of immi- grants and employers, and it could De supported. I think, by voluntary contripu- tions. but more particularly by a system of fees for services rendered, whicn would make it in the long run distinct business proposition. The people or the south in particular need some such thing as this. but the scope of this interna- tional and interstate labor movement IS such that it could be adapted just as well to Kansas or North Dakotaa as to Ala hama or Florida"