Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-07-10
Immigration NOTES
DURING LAST IS YEARS RADICAL
CHANGE OF CLASS
Is NOTED.
MOSTLY FROM SOUTHERN EUROPE
As a Glass 10 More Temporary in
Character-Send Millions Of DOL
lars Back Each Year-Averaae
About Two Years Each.

ABOUT TWO Years edCns
1t is conceded that we Americans,
who come from Europe ourselves,
have no moral right or desire to deny
Europeans the privilege of coming
here with the object Of lettering their
condition; provided, Of course. the
character of the immigrants is fairly
satisfactory, industrially, socially and
politically.
This country would never have in
creased in population and developed
it's resources and settled it's land SO
rapidly as 1t has, except for a steady
influx of European immigration,
which has been mainly of desirable
class.
During the last IS or 80 years, how
ever, there has been a radical change
in the character Of immigration we
have been getting from Europe. I'm
migration statistics show that down to
about 1882, approximately IS per cent
of our immigration came from Eng
land, Ireland, Scotland, the Scandina-
Wan countries, Germany, Holland and
France, while, since 1882, about 80
per cent of the total immigration (now
much larger) has come from Italy,
Austria. Russia. Turkey. Greece and
the other countries of southern and
eastern Europe.
A study of the last four censuses
also demonstrates that prior to about
1882 majority Of the immigrants
(then coming mostly from northwest
ern Europe) settled in the central and
north central states, where they en-
gagged in agriculture and other indus
tries and professions, took an active
part in the general development Of
the great west, adapted themselves to
American standards of living and be-
came thoroughly assimilated with the
best elements of American citizenship.
Since 1882, however, a large and In
creasing majority of our immigrants
(now coming mostly from southern
and eastern Europe) have been going
into the Atlantic division Of states.
where manufacturing interests are
largely developed, and are congregat-
ing in foreign centers in the large
cities, resisting the forces Of assimila-
ton. Only SO per cent of this new
immigration seeks naturalization,
while SO per cent of the old sought
this privilege.
This new immigration, as class,
is more temporary in character, con-
sists more largely Of men, either
single or who do not bring their fam
lilies with them, who work for the
lowest wages. live on the lowest scale
far below the American standard
and send many millions Of dollars
back to Europe every year.
The older immigration came to this
country with the intention Of remain
ing here permanently and there was
practically no return of the admitted
immigrants. The fact, however, no
ticed during recent years, that the
"ebb" of European immigration now
averages about 30 per cent Of the
"flow," IL causing us to study this
return movement In connection with
the fluidity Of the supply Of unskilled
labor. which has been so largely util-
lied in construction works and In the
development Of the manufacturing re-
sources of the country In the last
decade. This "ebb" and FLOW" may
be accepted as registering the condi-
ton of the labor market in the United
States. It has been noticed that in
times Of depression and slack demand
for labor there is falling of In i'm
migrants and an increase In the num-
Der Of those returning to Europe. In
this new immigration we have tapped
a supply of common labor that is sui.
ficiently fluid to come and 60 as need.
ed. Obviously. this should be Of eco.
nomic advantage II we have. or 90
long as we have. periodical demands
for cheap labor IN excess Of the supply
Of American common unskilled labor
Otherwise. because Of the character
Of this new immigration, It presents
an Industrial problem similar to that
Of Asiatic immigration.
This annual return OF 80 per cent Of
the total immigration 10 probably
equivalent to a so per cent return Of
the "nuid" labor class. showing an
average residence Of about two year,
for this class Of immigrants.
This is the fourth Of a series o.
articles on immigration: the next viii
appear soon)
Mr.. Dean the head of large man
Il A.anax,Aan haallk HE