The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-02-16
CHE:.AIlPENS LABOR.
immigration Is Lowering Stand
ard of Living.
EXCLUDE THE oRIENTALs.
Professor jerks Declares That Society
Is henaeed by the Admission of Is-
norant Foreigners Workers the
Chief Sufferers

''S' e'N = w oFNCTS knS
Chief Sufferers.
Immigration to the United States is
in urgent need of legislative restric-
ton, according to Professor Jeremiah
w jerks. the Cornell university econ
omist and member of the United
States immigration commission, which
has been studying the question since
1907 and which has submitted its re-
port to congress. Professor jerks re-
Gently spoke before the members OF
the University of Pennsylvania Chris
tan association.
He declared that foreigners are COM
ing in such large numbers that it is
impossible to assimilate them and that
the rate Of immigration will continue
to increase unless laws are passed to
keep it down. He said that it had
been proved beyond question that the
coming of these foreigners. most Of
them from the countries Of southeast
ern Europe. and their presence in the
labor market resulted in the lowering
Of the standard Of living among the
laboring classes
He urged that the Chinese, japanese
and HinduS be excluded absolutely.
immigration of n slow gradual char
acter, he said, was to be desired, as it
supplied the country with needed la
Dor and n store of artistic and intel
lectual ability latent, but possible Of
development.
The conditions affecting immigra-
ton have changed completely in the
last twenty-five years. OF the 1885,
900 immigrants who came to this coun-
try I'm 1907 more than so per cent
came from the countries of southeast
ern- Europe, whereas twenty-five years
ago only 10 per cent came from these
countries and the remaining 81 per
cent came from the most enlightened
countries of northern Europe. These
early immigrants came as settlers,
seeking homes and escape from reli-
gious and economic bondage.
Thirty-fivc per cent of those who
come over now are illiterate, whereas
only 8 per cent of those who formerly
came could not read and write. Sew
enty-five per cent Of the ones who
come annually to our shores are men
seeking fortunes. not homes, and 40
per cent of the entire number return
to their native countries. This return
of the immigrants to their native coun-
tries is encouraged by their respective
governments, who are loath to lose the
strong, hardy class of citizens.
In considering the effect of immi
grafton on conditions in this country
We may practically disregard all ex
cept the one on the standard of living.
Most Of the crimes of immigrants are
in the form of violations of municipal
ordinances. Crowding is undoubtedly
an evil incident to immigration, but
the generally accepted idea that this
overcrowding takes place in the large
cities is misconccived. The crowding
of immigrants is literally twice as bad
in the boarding houses in the mining
districts. where the congestion is
frightful.
The great evil resulting from the
presence of the immigrant is the low
ering of the standard of living. 1t is
the deliberate Judgment of the nine
men composing the commission, after
three and one-half years investigation.
that the immi grants are beyond all
question lowering the standard of lir-
ing among the working classes.