The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1916-01-13
SHUTTING OUT THE GRIP

The immigration problem contin
ues to puzzle American economists
The experts are not agreed as t
whether European laborers will sta!
at home after the war, or deluge u
with the new wave of immigration
Samuel Gompers, president of thu
American Federation of Labor. hold.
to the latter view.
There is no doubt" he says, that
the war will be followed by a tide
of immigration of unparalleled pro-
portions. The countries now en-
gagged will seek some way-to escape
caring for derelicts of war, the men,
tai and physical wrecks, and those
who have been ruined financially.
The incompetent will be encouraged
and perhaps assisted to emigrate
Now is the time to make provision
against the impending disaster
1t seems likely that events will
prove Mr.. Gompers right. And as
a matter of fact, this labor leader,
who may be assumed to be some
what prejudiced against immigra-
ton in principle. isn't at odds with
the disheartened economists.
The able-bodied workmen of
Europe. we may assume, will remain
at home after the war. There will
be an enormous quantity of work for
them in the rehabilitation of their
devastated lands and cities and the
rebuilding of their industries. The
governments of belligerent nations
may even prohibit their sound cit
liens from emigrating, for those cit
liens will constitute their best asset.
But as MIR. Gompers points out,
the disabled and defective, the hor-
des of men, women and children
whose economic value has been
lessened by wounds or sickness or
hardships incidental to the war, will
have more incentive to emigrate.
Their governments can hardly help
regarding them as liabilities.
The more of their dependents they
can eliminate the quicker will be
their economic restoration. They !
will hardly be able, in any event,
to make decent provision for all the
human wreckage left by the war.
When therefore the undesirable
find no prospect of comfort at home
they may decide to emigrate in
spite of their handicaps. And their
may encourage them
in emigrating.
Added to such incentives will be
of course, the renewed activity of
the transatlantic steamship lines,
which have been the chief factors
in dumping aliens on our shores.
There will be large numbers of ships,
freed from the war traffic, eager to
reap a harvest of low class passeng-
er business.
Shall the United States, then,
lend itself to the selfish purpose of
selfish steamship companies and
foreign countries seeking to discard !
their unfit population?
A few sentimental philanthropists
will say yes. The great majority
of Americans of all classes will un-
hesitatingly say no.
Our country is, and should always !
remain a political asylum and a !
haven for the oppressed; but there
is nothing in our traditions or our
present duty compelling us to make
it an almshouse and hospital for
Europe.
Not only our own immediate, sell
fish warfare, but our value to the
world as strong, clean. forward.
looking nation depends on keeping
our national vigor unimpaired. We
are not called on to lower our aver
a 5e health or intelligence or pros
perity by absorbing the wreckaee of
European civilization. We can even
benefit Europe more, in the long run,