The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-28
ASKS PROTECTION
FOR IMMIGRANTS.
Hungarian Minister Says For
eigncrs Are Sold Worth
less Land.
COMPLAINS TO GOVERNOR
Desires That Department Of I'm
migration Issue Correct
Information.
COMPLAINS TO GOVERNOR

Complaints OF the manner In which
Immigrants from non English speaking
countries OF Continental Europe are
swindled by INSCRIPTIONS land agents
were laid before Governor Mann yes
terday by Rev. 3. Il. Basso, Hun
lions instances in Virginia where for
eignera have been sold worthless land
at high prices and are soon left In q
destitute condition.
AS an instance OF this sort, Mr..
Basso mentions a settlement In Eastern
Virginia. He says that numbers OF
his countrymen. who had saved small
amounts by working In Industrial CEN
tres, were induced to come to this To-
cation, which Is practically composed
of swamp land, and to purchase farms.
They succeeded in one or two years
In harvesting crops, but for the past
two seasons have made practically
nothing by their labors. Some of them
have gone away with the last money
left TO the, while others are In q
starving condition.
Charged for Taking All.
In one instance, Mr.. Basso Is adj
yised, a commission merchant took the
entire potato crop OF an immigrant.
disposed OF 1t, and charged the entire
price secured, with So q barrel In adj
dition, for selling 1t.
He thinks these merchants often
take advantage OF these people, who
are ignorant Of tho language and OF
American values and customs
For the most part these Hungarians
and people from other European coun-
tries are practical, intensive farmers
people who would make valuable set
tiers. and who would build up many
waste places in this State. But they
are, instead, often sold valueless prop
critics, upon which they are soon re-
duced to want.
Mr. Basso Is sociological student
A native OF Budapest. college grad
uate and of noble birth, he lives
among the peasant people OF his ra-
ton who have settled in America. He
Is now In charge OF the social centre
OF West Seneca. New York.
Plan FOE Remedy. ..
He has a plan by which the State
can, at small expense, protect inmt-
grants. It could be done. he thinks.
without waiting for new Legislative
| law. The result would be, in his
| OpllLOll, ludl luuCH Ad1Iu VIA 40 NV"
idle would be developed. adding to the
taxable and natural wealth of Vir-
| GINA. and the State would be freed
| from the advertisement she is recei2.
| ing to immigrants of being a place
where they are cheated.
| He would invoke the aid Of the De.
| partment of Agriculture and Immigra-
! ton. He was unable to find Commits
sioner Koiner yesterday, as he arrived
/ at the Capitol after the closing hour.
Mr.. Basso would have the depart
| ment Issue bulletins giving informa
ton as to lands really available ant
| desirable for purposes OF colonization
No lands would be put on this lis
| until after an examination by an agen
| Of the department as to fertility, 10
| cation, possibilities and price. This
publication would be sent to the priests
and social workers Of the Northern
Industrial centres, for 1t Is from thes,
| places that the foreigners come att.
they have saved a few hundred dol
lars from their work in the factories
provided they are not killed. The pub
| LEGATION would be official, coming from
the State Of Virginia, and all the i'm
| migrants would be advised not to blu,
excepting such lands as recommended
by the department. and from dealer:
whose reliability is similarly attosted
i The Governor was much interested
In the situation and promised to Civ.
1t his attention.