New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-05

TINE subject Of immigration mas come
to the fore again within the last
4 two weeks. This is due to the pas
SAGE BY the House of Representatives of
the Burnett amendment to the immigra-
ton laws providing Cor a literacy test as
means Of restricting immigration.
Should this bill be concurred In by the
Senate and receive the signature of Presi-
dent Taft, the United States will have en-
tered upon a policy long discussed, pro
and con, and a marked departure from
It's previous policy.
1t is not generally known that last year
was a million immigrant year. While this
will not be the first time that so many
aliens have set foot on our shores In the
course Of a period of twelve months, the
fact that that number did so last year
is remarkable for two reasons. one is
that this total was attained in Presi-
Dental year. This is a record in that re-
spect. Usually a Presidential year is con-
sdered by prospective immigrants an I'M
favorable one for coming to this country
The economic conditions, they consider,
are likely TO be disturbed and industry
inclined TO rest on its oars. The immigra-
ton In such years, therefore. is usually
below that of the previous and succeed
ing year. Not only was it banner year
In this respect, suggesting that Industrial
conditions are improving. but the stable
character of the improvement is en-
phasized by the fact that half of the
immigration came after July l. Usually
the major part of the immigration lands
before July /, approximately three-ffths
Of II coming the first half OF the year.
Evidently. political conditions had little
effect upon immigration this year.
AN IMMIGRATION AUTHORITY.
For more than a year Professor Wit
torio Racca, of the University OF Rome
has been In this city studying social
conditions. and particularly those pertain
ing TO immigration. His views of the
present immigration situation, coming as
they do from IN Italian who has made
study OF the subject here, are Of special
interest. Formerly surrogate professor OF
political economy at the Commercial Uni
versity OF Rome, and associate professor
OF political economy, science OF finances
and social legislation at the University
OF Lausanne. Switzerland, he is now as
sociate professor of POLITICAL economy at
the University OF Rome.
Among the pieces Of work which he has
done have been an inquiry into the night
work Of bakeries in Italy. on which was
framed the Italian law prohibiting 1t; a
study Of Italys work in behalf OF agri-
culture undertaken for the Russian gov
trnment; a study OF the social action and
social legislation in the Palkan Peninsula
for the Musee Social. Of Paris, and a
study on arbitration and Cancellation of
labor disputes In Italy. lie received the
gold medal of the Prize Romagnosi' for
bis study OF Social Legislation In North
ern Italy During the Middle Ages" and
a prize for his inquiry into the Steel
Trust OF Italy" He has also done much
other work OF a social and economic nat
ure
In his conversation regarding immigra-
ton with a representative Of The Tribune
he spoke very frankly concerning what he
Considers will be the effect of the Burnett
Dill upon immigration IL finally placed
upon the statute books. the criminal phase
Oh immigration and what ought to be done
10 modify a problem which he considers
lar more tremendous than most Ameri-
cans realize.
A PROBLEM MISuNDERSTOO
The fact that the Burnett bill provid-
ing for a literacy test passed the House
showed how little too many Americans
understand tho immigration problem
said he. IT think immigration Is the
Greatest need Of America just now. not
only to develop its natural resources, but
70 keep abreast OF the Industrial progress
Of recent years. II Is absolutely neces-
sary to have a continual Inflow Of imnd-
grafton, and one must take into conoder-