New-York tribune., 1912-01-22
PENROSE WOULD MAKE
IMMIGRANTS PIONEERS
Senator Says Colonization IN
Abandoned Sections Is SoIu-
tion of Problem.
PRAISES WORK DONE HERE
Straus, Schiff and Elkus, Ad'
dressing Hebrew Aid Society,"
Disagree on Methods of
Handling Traffic.

Senator Boise Penrose. Of Pennsylvania
Oscar S Straus. Jacob II. Schln anu
Abram l. Elkus were the principal speah-
ers at the annual meeting of the Hepre"
Shelterlng and Immigrant Aid Society helu
Yesterday in the auditorium Of the Educa-
tional Alliance at No. 1877 East BroadWa!'
Although each of the speakers toucheu
upon the problem OF immigration anu
more particularly Jewish immigration they
were unable to agree upon any method VI
handling the problem
To Mr.. Schiff the most distressing feature
OF the immigration problem was the lact
that IL was necessary each year to depor'
q certain number of applicants. lie aoVo-
Gated the maintenance of American officials
in foreign ports, who should be empowered
10 cut off the undesirables before they
shipped
Mr. straus took sharp issue with Mr.
schin. and pointed out that If the United
States should undertake to dictate what
citizens of foreign nations should be per-
r1itted to take passage for America those
same nations would naturally have the
right TO demand the same privilege IN
dealing with the movements of American
citizens Such state of affairs, he de-
clsred. would he intolerable. The deporta-
ton question did not appear 20 him to be
ss serious as Mr. schiff conceived 1t, for
he said only ! per cent Of all applicants
are rejected, and this was necessary 10
protect the other 80 per cent
Abram l. Elkus took issue with both OF
the speakers who preceded him. He sug-
gested that it might be we'll to maintain
agents in foreign ports. but that their pow
rboI1 d,iS
issue with Mr.. Strauss statement that
deportation was not of prime Importance.
since it represented only / per cent OF all
immigrants.
That 1 per cent" said Mr.. Elkus, us no
less than ten thousand human souls.
The speaker went on TO advocate more
liberal policy at Ellis Island. He declared
many deportations were wrong and un-
necessary and were made on account OF the
tyranny of minor officials.
Almost seven hundred persons crowded
into the auditorium to hear the reading of
the annual report of the society and to
listen to the speeches of the distinguished
guests. In his report, Justice Leon San
ders, of the Municipal Court president Of
the society. reported that the number of
Jewish immigrants deported in 1911 was 49,
as compared with 1,643 during the previous
year This, he said, was proof of the high
qualities of the Jewish immigrants.
Jacob H. Schif was the first speaker Of
the afternoon. He touched upon the ques-
ton Of the treaty with Russia. but advised
the Jews not to concern themselves too
much with the problem. but rather to let
the government work it out.
1T is" he said, IAN American question
not a racial one. A passport involves
Americanism, not Judaism. You can trust
the common sense of the American people.
Il nave great hope for the future. The
desirable immigrant who wishes to become
an American citizen will be allowed to enter
here. but they should he led Alright. Too
many have been sent back"
Mr. Straus in addition TO criucising the
plan of Mr. Schih, made the point that
iliteracy is more common in children of
native born than in children Of foreign
born parentage.
Senator Penrose praised the work of the
Hebrew Shelterng and Immigrant Aid So
ciety. saying no more important and ef
fective work for humanity could be per-
formed than that which it carried on dur
ing the year
The authorities at Washington depend
very much upon the Jewish immigration
committee in immigration matters" the
Senator continued. Its work for the large
number of Jewish immigrants arriving at
the Port Of New York is Of inestimabe
value; TO meet counsel and advise the
newcomer to our shores; to comfort and
aid him. TO extend TO him information re-
gardng conditions i'm the land; TO assist
him with transportation; TO prevent him
in many cases from becoming a public
charge; to provide for his religious re-
quirements; TO discourage settling in cit
les, and 10 avoid the evils of congestion;
to realize the agricultural and larger op-
portunities of the West; TO find employ
ment; to grant relief in innumerable ways,
and. above ALL to foster the ideals Of
American citizenship. These are among
the many noble objects of the Jewish inn
migration committee"
The solution of the immigration problem
advanced by Senator Penrose was the dis
tribution of immigrants in the abandoned
agricultural sections Of the East and in the
South and Southwest.