Evening star., 1915-03-16
PLACING IMMIGRANTS
ON us. LAND, HIS PLAN
Secretary Wilson Would Build Up
Rural Districts Through
System.
Favors Annual Expenditure of $1O,-
oOo. 900 to Relieve City Congestion,
he Tells Monday Evening Club.

are considering the possibilities of
new suggestion for improving labor
conditions in this country-one whIcR
may be worked into tangible form Tor
presentation to Congress. 1t was dl-
vuIged by Secretary of Labor Wilson
in an address before the club at the
Y, NJ. c. A. building last night.
Briefly 1t provides for an expenditure
by the government Of $1O,OOO,0OO an
nually for relieving congestion OF i'm
migrants in big cities and building UP
community life in the rural districts
This fund, the cabinet member said,
represents the excess receipts over the
cost Of maintaining the immigration
system. The fund is made up from
head tax Of 81 which is laid upon every
immigrant. and, according to secre-
tary Wilson, never was intended to be
made a source of revenue.
Would Relieve Congestion.
Mr.. Wilson said that If the govern
ment would allow his department to
take charge Of this fund and expend 1t
In transporting community groups OF
aliens to government lands 1t not only
would be a means Of relieving conges-
tion in the cities. but that the COM
munities established would be security
for the money loaned, which could be
repaid when production and profte De-
gan.
This would be small beginning
toward improving labor conditions. the
Secretary said, but one which should
bear immediate fruit and point the way
to bigger accomplishments in reliev-
ing congestion in the cities and dis
tributing labor.
Discusses Labor Problem.
Secretary Wilson discussed the labor
problem in its general aspects. and told
Of the efforts being made by the fed
eral government to find work for the
unemployed He said the greatest DIFF
flculty had been to get records of the
unemployed. One tabulaion of condi-
tions in New York indicated that about
275.000 people In that city were out Of
work. he said.
The principal causes OF unemploy-
fnent, the speaker said, are the sea-
sonal occupations and industrial de-
pressions. He frankly admitted that
the government has not systematically
undertaken to solve the unemployment
problem. but Is meeting practical ques-
tions as they arise The unemployment
bureau Of the Department Of Labor.
he said, is using the postal. agricul-
tural and congressional branches OF
the government in an effort to seek
work for those who need It,
Labor conditions also were discussed
by Miss Constance D. Leupp Of the
of what she considered an "unfortu-
nate result of the eight-hour law for
women in the District. Certain Arms.
Miss Leupp said, in order TO remain
open ten hours a day. had adopted the
practice of giving their girls two
hour rest period about noon. This prac-
tice, she declared, works hardship
upon the girls and also is having a
place to spend the long rest period
except upon the streets or in places
Of amusement.
Makes Suggestion.
Miss Leupp asked the Monday Even
ing Club to express disapproval OF this
practice, and suggested that IL no other
means of preventing 1t can be found
Congress be asked to amend the law
so that the eight-hour workday shall
be embraced in a nine-hour period.
Informal discussion of unemploy-
ment conditions. in which several men,
| bers Of the club participated, followed
the addresses OF Secretary Wilson and
| Miss Leupp. The single tax was in
jected into the discussion by w. D.
Mackenzie, who declared that a Law
placing tax on land values alone and
| removing the tax on improvements
would be a big factor in relieving dis
tress among the poor.
The club has had the question of un-
employment under consideration at two
meetings and Is expected to make some
definite recommendations on the sub
| ject before concluding Its work for the
season. Last nights meeting was pre-
sided over by George s. Wilson. secre-
tary Of the board Of charities OF the
\ District.