New-York tribune., 1908-07-12

have been provided with work at their own
occupations. In many cases, however. this has
proved impossible and they have taken whatever
offered. At present the talors are making the
highest wages In some instances their pay has
increased to ST. SIS and even sa week. OF the
eighty eight persons listed at work on May /,
forty-eight were receiving wages under 80 week.
with IS so as the minimum. Thirty-six were get
ting between $40 and SIS, and four were making SO
more, the maximum being $50.
The record kept at the office of the United Jewish
Charities in Kansas City makes interesting read
ing. There is ". b, for instance. soapmaker, who
arrived on July l. 1907. He is working in packing
house for 50 week Since his arrival he has saved
s175 and has sent for his family in Russia N. P.
a tailor, is making SIS week. has saved 800 and
expects to send for his family. I. T.. laborer in
a junk yard at 50 week, has sent more than 800
to Russia NJ G., who arrived on August 6. out Of
his salary of so 80 a week sash and door
maker has saved 800 and has sent for his oldest
daughter from Russia. NJ. B., an iron worker on
So q week saved $40. and now has taken a small
farm.
So it goes down the list, with only two discour-
aging entries-one man who was implicated in a
theft and left town, and another who is listed as
an undesirable citizen working only occasionally.
But fourteen of the immigrants. working for the
most part at n1eagre wages. credited with hav-
ing saved ST. 265 since their arrival in Kansas City
The movement has not yet attracted the serious
attention of the unions. possibly because It is not
on extensive scale. In one instance it was found
possible place cornice worker in union shop
with the acquiescence of the unions business agent
It was pointeds out to him that the newcomer would
probably become sufficiently proficient within few
weeks TO earn the union scale. AS sooa as he
should reach that point the promised to take
out card. The agent took the position that it
was better TO encourage such to enter the
union than force him into the ranks of the non
union forces. Therefore he consented that he
should work in the shop probation Before the
expiration OF the period allotted the immigrant
able to Join the union.
Apparently the immigrants diverted to the West
through Galveston are not going to drift eastward.
At least that is the Kansas City experience. Only
half a dozen of those who have come to Kansas
City have left town. and. while the movement fas
not been OF sufficient duration for test. there
seems no reason to suppose that the arrivals
will not be satisfied with the opportunities offered
in the West.
AS it is they are rapidly being transformed into
Americans The great social service of the organ
ized Jewish charities in this transformation process
is self-evident. If these Russian Jews ignorant of
the language and with their low standard living.
were pumped down into the West-into Kansas
CITY, for instanee-with no one TO look after them.
they would stsrve for a few days, and then would
drift into the ranks OF unskilled labor with the
chances against their ever rising. With the aid OF
start above the poverty level. So they have
chance TO look about with view to improving
their condition First they the need of learning
English This is provided for by the night schools
OF the Jewish organization-which ought to be sun
p1anted by the public night schools. And then they
begin to look for better Jobs.
A capnaker who In Russia had made only few
dollars a month when ne could get work was
started In Kansas city at $40 a week. which soon
MAS raised TO SIP That was opulence and he lived
with III. 10y OF a millionaire until he made dis
covery Then he went to Mr.. Billikopf with
grievance.
what's the natter" inquired the superntend-
ent Aren't you getting all right7"
Yes was the reply. only have heard that
Cohen. who isn't any better capmaker than T. is
getting SIS. When shall be getting sls?'
That discomfort the evidence Of the Russian
capmaker's Americanizst ion. And that is OF
this fruits of the Galveston Observation-Disclosures
and the Commona