The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-03-02
DIR. ELIOTS VIEW.

In view of tho fact that cry has
gone up that hundreds of thousands of
men are out of work in the United
States, although it is said the same con-
ditious always prevail at this time of
year, it is rather strange that Dr.
Charles W. Eliot should talk or write
about the scarcity Of labor in this
country. DR.. Eliot is against the
further restriction of immigration for
the reason, he declares, that "there is
a sparseness Of population and enor-
nous unused natural resources, In the
development OF which both new capital
and labor will be needed
So far as the development of natural
resources is concerned and the need OF
capital for the purpose there can be no
question. The alleged scarcity Of labor
is quite another matter. A great many
men, both in and out OF congress, be-
lieve it is time to put on the brakes
and restrict the inflow of immigrants.
Even those who are opposed to the lit
eracy test agree that something should
be done TO prevent the steamship COM
panies from dumping SO many thou
sands of undesirables upon our shores.
"Not single argument for further
restriction of immigration have l yet
seen" says DR., Eliot, (which does not
violate the plainest principles of sound
American industrial development, or
which does not propose to abandon or
MAIN the noble policy Of the United
States which has made this country the
hope of the multitude who cannot yet
Gnd freedom and comfort In their ma
tive lands.'
The sentiment of DR.. Eliot is very
fine and our hearts 90 out TO the unfor"
tunates in other lands who find the bat
tie of life going against them. But,
after all is said and done, self-preserva-
tion is the first law Of nature and the
government of the United States should
see to it that the country is not over
crowded with men seeking work lest the
same conditions arise here that have
driven these people across the ocean.
Ii the union leaders are TO be be-
lieved, and they back up their state
mcnts with statistics, there is great
danger of glutting the labor market un-
less some plan is adopted TO restrict i'm.
migration.
DR.. Eliot takes broad and CHART.
able view, for his lines have always
been cast in pleasant places and he has
not been compelled TO compete with for.
ciguers for day work at hard labor.
The wcrkingmen of the United States
doubtless have as much of the milk Of
human kindness in their makeup as the
president emeritus of Harvard univcr-
sty, but they are face to face with the
cold, hard realities Of life and must
first provide for themselves and famil.
les before extending welcome to labor
ers from abroad who annually pour over
here in such great numbers.
The immigration question liz q burn
ing one at the present time. The opin-
ION appears TO prevail that the house
Will follow the senate in passing the
Burnett bill with tho literacy test in
cludcd. Strong pressure is being brought
TO hear upon President Wilson TO inter
pose veto, following the example set
by Taft and Cleveland when the same
matter came before them. Out Of the
mass of conflicting statements regard
ing the attitude of the executive il is
impossible TO forecast his action. 1t is
certain, however, that tho fight 10 re.
strict immigration will 20 on to the
end