The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-28
THE SOUTH AND IMMIGRATION.

One of the fSlost successful methods OF III
ereasing popsdatirn and developing the
sources Of the South lies IN turning the tide
OF Immigration toward our southern section
But care should be exercised ia the selection
Of immigrants lest the incoming hosts prove
curse and drain rather than benefit
The South does not need or desire those
hordes of incompetent, INDECENT and transient
settlers from Southern Europe who are at
tracted by the extrayagant advertisements or
steamship companies and who come with
purpose remain but with The hope OF
cumuiating competency in the land of oppor-
tunity with which they may return and dwell
In peace in their native lands THIS class of
parasitic visitors has fastened itself upon the
grea, cities OF the North and West They
tribute nothing 10 the progress or wealth OF
The communities in which they temporarily set
tie, but rather constitute constant drain.
hording their earnings and sending them back
across the seas carrying their accumulated
savings when they return.
This situation is confronting the nation in
tremedous proportions at this time We have
been reading Of late of the enormous sums OF
money that are being sent 10 Europe with
every departing steamship. The most Of ii is
taken from the pockets Of the people of this
country through occupations thar contribute
nothing 10 the creation of wealth and trans
mitsed across the TO the enrichment of
foreign peoples In addition the records up
to the first Of December. reveal the fact that
large crowds Of immigrants returning to
their former homes presumably having
quired sufficient in their temporary residence
among us to support themselves III another
world Up to December the first Of this year
nearly half million of steelage passengers
have taken ship in New York bound for foreign
ports and every outgoing vessel Is carrying
them In great numbers few days ago 90
Storage passengers were left on of tha
New York wharves because the boat upon which
They had proposed sailing was crowded with
the same class to it's capacity
What the South demands to contribute 10
the creation Of it's commerce and wealth Is the
men who propose becoming Identified with the
communities in which they settle and who will
Indirectly assist in building up those COM
munities as they directly work to the increase
and enrichment Of themselves There mil
lions of acres, Of undeveloped farming land the
soil of which they may till and the crops or
which they may turn into cash to be spent and
invested in their own communities. There
are boundless opportunities which may be SELF
ed and utilized for the development Of the re
sources of the South and the Fastening OF its
Industrial progress. but these desirable eads
can only be realized By the colonization Of
aliens who contemplate the requirement OF
citizenship and who are not dreaming Of and
longing for the das TO when they can
Iy take with them the treasures they have
gained by their temporary residence In our
midst
y The problem that coufronts US. therefore. Is
the wise and careful selection Of immigrants
and the encouragement and assistance OF those
who are worthy to remain and who propose to
perity and progress of our Southland This can
be done II is being done today in Canada
How il is being done will he told in these
columns tomorrow.
REapI>G THE WHIRLWIND