Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-15
WORK FOR THE ALIENS
Bureau of immigration Finds
Homes and Labor.
DIVISION CHIEF EXPLAINS
Terence V. Powderly Tells What
Government Is Doing.
MAKES REPLY TO CRITICISMS
Merely Places Opportunities Before
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Facts and
Verifies Them.
DIVISION CHIEF EXPLAINS
MAKES REPLY TO CRITICISMS

1.-THE work of the bureau Of imrnigra-
| ton in it's endeavor to find suitable homes
and work for aliens who come to this
| country is apparently not clearly under
stood. if one may Judge by recent criti-
cisms of the SERVICE" Chief Powderly Of
| the division of information of that bu-
| reau said yesterday
THE bureau does not send aliens or
citizens anywhere and everywhere. 1t
merely places the opportunities of which
1t Is advised before the unemployed, who
may avail themselves or not, as they see
At. Illiterates are not sent into a COM
munity unless the person making appli-
cation for help indicates that they will
be acceptable When a farmer invites
the coming of a man. the bureau directs
the kind of man he asks for and no
other. Neither aliens nor citizens are
poured into communities regardless of
their needs or consequences. No COM
munity can be injured by the work of
the bureau through the citizens or aliens
it sends into 1t, for the bureau only acts
when demand comes from a community
or individual. and in either case they get
just what they ask for.
No Advantage Over Citizens.
Neither Is there any great or unrea-
sonable advantage given to aliens over
citizens" continued Mr.. PoWderly, ''for
all information received by the bureau is
open to citizens as well as to aliens. and
the literature sent out makes that state
ment in language which cannot be mis-
understood
''Of course, I am not competent to
speak of the bureaus work in general,
but only Of that portion of 1t which
nu6pr SllnarViSfOn. Hut L
quite positive that what l have said will
be verified by those in full authority.
1T Is true" he added, that the bureau
of information, of which have charge.
postal cards. Each card plainly states
that its recipient, If in need of labor, may
use the return portions OF the card IN
dicating the kind of labor required, specl-
flying the kind of blank application need
ed for that kind of labor, and then mail
it to the department. Citizens, as well as
aliens, are taking advantage of the In
formation we gather and many are pro-
filing by it.
Gather and Verify Facts.
1--WE gather facts and verify them. We
do not accept surmises or theory as to
conditions. The facts we obtain and YER
ify we place before all who apply for
them, be they citizens or aliens. We do
not send this information to persons out
side the country. Before a man Is di-
rected to an opportunity open to those
who need 1t he is rigidly examined as to
his fitness to perform the duties required
Of him, and until he gives satisfactory
evidence that he can fill the needs he Is
not sent.
Neither is it true" Mr.. Powderly said.
by the bureau Is general, for the cards
have thus far been distributed only along
the rural free delivery postal routes.
THE division of information has had
try generally of manufacturers, large
and small employers, labor organizations
students and humanitar.ans. for they all
see in 1t an avenue through which the
employed-willing, honest men who re-
ally want work. but cannot find 1t in the
cities. without underselling a fellow
worker or taking the place Of man on
strike.
Employed by Farmers.
I'VE have already placed 21OO men,
| mostly heads of families, and the vast
| majority have been employed by farm
ers," Mr.. Powderly said In conclusion
THE chief aim Of our work is to direct
| workers to the land and away from the
Cities
| Secretary Straus Of the Department of
Commerce and Labor, who takes a deep
personal interest in this branch of the
work Of his department. said yesterday:
| II am satisfied with the division of in
formation in the immigration service,
with the work it is doing and with the
manner in which its affairs are being ad-
ministered- l shall, of course be always
glad to receive and consider the sugges-
lions Of any individual or organized body
| for its betterment. But this branch of
the work is new as yet. and it must be
remembered that everything cannot be
accomplished at once with a rush. We
must feel our way There must be time
given for all new things to spread out
and grow, and that is true of the diyi-
sion of information in the immigration
service"