The Washington herald., 1912-03-24
NEED FOREIGNERS
TO WORK ON FARMS
With Many Native-borns Flocking
to Big Cities, the Cry Of the
Soil Is Heard.

There have been some indications that
the present session Of Congress would
witness a radical change in the present
immigration laws. Not only does the
enormous volume OF the foreign influx
into this country. overcrowding still fur
ther the congested districts OF our mari
time cities, present in an acute form the
problem of how to effect a wider geo.
graphical distribution Of the new pop
ulation, but so low are the social ideals
Of many Of the immigrants that some of
our best thinkers see in their presence a
menace to the future Of the country The
great question Is as to what character
OF restrictions will so limit the move
ment TO our shores as to insure the en-
try into this country Of only such per-
sons as will grow into citizens worthy
OF the country OF their adoption.
1t is a well-known fact that the coun-
try from which the foreigner departs Is
q loser thereby. The reasons are obvious.
That country loses the two strong arms
Of each immigrant, his mind, his knowl-
edge, his material support, his wealth
and after him. often, his immediate rela-
tiyes. his brothers. sisters. and parents.
II is obvious, therefore, that the coun-
try which the immigrant 4eaves Is loser.
Now let US see whether the country in
which the immigrant arrives receives any
benefit or loses thereby. The foreigner,
when he reaches this country. as a rule.
does not speak the English language Is
ignorant OF the manners and customs of
the people. has no position in prospect.
and does not know how to seek a desir-
able one. Naturally, therefore. he en-
cages in the first work which comes 10
his hand. and that Is usually employ
mnnf offered hV nf his
already established here or work as
laborer in railway construction or re-
pair. Are such people wanted in this
country at this time? ! believe they are.
Reasons Are Many.
place, nearly every one born in this
country has been educated TO some de-
gree; that is to say. has at least a COM
mon school education. He knows enough,
therefore, TO undertake something differ
ent from the work OF a common laborer
He does not have TO conine himself to
labor on the railroad lines or similar
rough work. Who, then, is 10 perform
the hard labor? ihe answer is the for
elgner.
What restrictions. then, shall Congress
impose upon the entrance of the immi-
grant? Although there are many thou
sands coming to our shores each year.
this country has plenty OF rough labor
to be done yet. and a great uncultivated
area ready to receive many thousands of
farmers. We have millions of acres of
public land open to settlement by appli-
cants who desire to become American
citizens and will live on the land. Each
applicant, whether he has the full papers
of naturalization or whether he has sim
ply declared his intention to become a
citizen, may receive 100 acres of govern
ment land under what is called the
Homestead act"
Opportunity to Foreigners.
This is the best opportunity that any
government ever offered TO a foreigner.
Upon his arrival in America, the for
eigner, If he but knew it, has many
fields Of labor open TO him. 1t Is not
absolutely necessary for HIM TO go to
work on the railroad lines. He may be-
come a farmer. and in a few years a
land owner. paying for his land out OF
the crops he raises. This course, natu- |
rally. would be TO the benefit, not only |
of the foreigner, but of the country at
large as well. II would be to the bene-
At Of the country, because when the land |
has been put under cultivation and i'm |
have been built upon It, II |
will pay taxes which 1t does not now.
Another fact that must be borne in |
mind Is that the personnel Of the class |
which performs our common labor is |
shifting. Many OF the immi- |
grants, after remaining here some years, |
abandon manual labor for something bet |
ter. II the immigration. then. be re- ]
stricted to a certain class. or II the i'm
migrant be required to have with him |
400 in cash before admitted. as is intend |
ed by the proposed legislation, 1t will |
follow that the immigration will fall on. |
The result therefore. will be that. as the |
people of this country are being drawn |
toward the cities In large numbers. the |
faems win become more and more de- |
serted and incalculable detriment VIII |
ensue to the country at large.
SOTERIOS NICHOLSON.