New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-03
TOO MUCH AID TO ALIENS
Giving in Excess Makes Them
Parasites, Says Economist.

Professor Vittorio Racca, who teaches
political economy al the University Of
Rome. was the guest OF honor at the tea
which DR.. Jane T.. Robbins and her as
slstants al Little Italy gave At the set
Element house Monday afternoon. MI
present were Interested in some phase OF
social work among Italians, and, as Pro
lessor Racca has travelled extensively
through Europe studying social and eco
nomic conditions his Views and sugges-
lions had the intrinsic value OF practi-
cal worker, not merely theorist. lie
has been in this country since last spring
making an investigation not only OF the
Italian, but Of the immigrant situation
I'm general During these months he has
given freely OF his time and knowledge TO
all working along similar lines, and in
more than one particularly difficult prob
lem has personally brought about a soiu-
ton. lie is considered one OF the noted
economists Of Italy
Professor Raccas talk was Of peculiar
interest I'm that II gave an insight into
the Italian point Of view, instead OF the
American one. He pointed out how our
charities so often cir. how through sheer
goodness Of heart We do III 10 the iInmir
grant and make parasite OF MN
Americans are very kind. too kind. but
American kindness ~ not always Italian
Kindness" said Professor Racca. you
give him too much, and therefore tend to
make him lazy and a parasite
"IIc does not need 10 have things given
TO him. but to be shown how 10 get them
I. YtfFh
he continued, the American idiom spring
ing 10 his lips with surprising readiness.
There is little emigration from Italy
now because of poverty. The economic
conditions there are improving rapidly;
Italy is making progress by leaps ana
bouuds But with this progress comes
coropetition. and In Italy "a elsewhere
the gkiIled workman FORCES 10 the front.
In bfg wake is tho mediocre one. VINO
"a cor for the reward Of success but lack
ing the opportunity for It Ia his own Iand'
comes 10 America, hoping that IN I'VE OF
ton wears he may earn enough to return
and buY little plot Of ground.
"No Italian. no immigrant ever comes
10 this country with the Idea or REMAIN
ing" intcrpolatcd Professor Racca' Inc
one exception Is the jew. And you Amer
teams think this rather strange nut YOU
din not realize what bcautiiul sunny
land these people have lett
out the Italian has mania Tor own
ing land" he continued. reVert'ng 10 ms
main theme with that prize In view nc
Will endure any hardshlps.
The speaker said the Nlneland eHpc''
rant showed that the Italian was goou
farmer He turned the land Abandoned
Ia, tho Americans TO such proht that they
,riod to again get possession or II.
,uea scott. of California, who is spehd
,,r che winter studying social conditions
T., Tho East. asked him what he thought
NJ the proposition To populate the i"'n'
,a,ds In the mountainous Western terri
tories with Italians, and he sa'd he
uopgbt il would most likely be success
rul nroyIded they were homogeneous SCI
.ta,,orts lie also advocated rather
ri,id form of government While ltaliahs
must ever he treated with Kindness they
,,ust ALWAYS be forced 10 respect law ana
order because at home they are accus-
toned 10 a strict regime.
In closing Professor Racca reminded
bis audience that not all criminals came
over In the Storage. he said the worst
ones travelled first class. The education
~ the italian must be gradual and In
certain way unknown to himself. This
can of course, be done best by an ltanah
~ the better class, because the members
90 tho noorer classes have the greatest