The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-03

How about American industry after
the war; VIII there be too many work.
ers or too few? VIII Immigration, now
reduced to rs per cent. Of normal, flow
back to this country, swapping the labor
market. producing low wages. contribut-
ing to another period OF unemployment
like the one from which We recently
emerged OR will the surviving workers
1T the warning countries, Influenced by
high wages caused by the great demand
for labor in rehabilitating the industries
of peace by patriotism or by Govern
mental compulsion. stay at home?
All thoughtful business man are in
teresting themselves with this question.
Several inquiries are being mad to as
the Chamber of m OF tho United
States In its nationwide canvass OF rail-
roads and shipping agencies. And a we'll
known economist. Prof. Jeremiah W.
jerks OF New York University. has Just
completed a special investigation. From
DIR. jerks a T. reporter obtained yes
terday a review of the situation which
which arc ut variance with popular be-
lefs.
DR.. jerks. pointing out that immigra-
ton has increased soon after other
European wars. said that in his opinion
the great war would furnish no excep-
zion He held that unless the European
nations instituted effective restrictive
measures their people after release from
the battlefelds would swarm TO America
Just as they did before He believed
that the United States would have TO
find some sensible way OF restricting the
inlux In order TO protect our working
men and 10 work out n domestic policy
OF education inc distribution which
would give those who enter this country
a square deal In the fullest sense OF the
word.
Finds No Rush to Armies.
Tn the first place. said Prof. jerks.
'the returns for the first four months
OF the year ended June 80. 1915. seem
reasonably to confirm the conclusion that
Immigration has reached ito lowest ebb
and that this country can expect at least
y monthly arrival of about $4,000 i'm
migrant aliens, or a yearly immigration
OF permanent arrivals Of approximately
400 900. while the war lasts.
Contrary TO the general impress
sion. there has been no large exodus of
army men. able bodied men. to Europe.
In fact, bad Industrial conditions during
the year ended une 80. 1915. coupled
with the patriotic calls for men BY Eu-
ropean nations, drew only 100000 immi-
grant men. women and children and
10000 non-!mmigrant aliens out OF n
total foreign born population Of approx
mately 5000, 900. In the previous year
me figures were considerably larger
S0S.33S and 3S0,467 respectively.
During the first four months OF the
present immigration year immigrant
aliens TO the number OF $4,000 and nom
Immigrant aliens to the number OF 1000
returned. slightly more on the average
han last year, made up quite largely
from an increased exodus of southern
Italians. The October figures. however.
would indicate that the nuIuber return
ing Is somewhat decreasing. While the
wal has greatly retarded Immigration
Il has also checked the number Of those
leaving"
Remarking that in June, 1915. when
Italy was calling for her sons, only
236 northern Italians and $3.50 south
-rn Italians left this country. Prof.
jerks added 1T is safe 10 say that
economic stress resulting from lack OF
work is a much stronger incentive 10
return than the call Of the bugle." He
tsild that except for the southern Italians
We have been getting as many imml-
grants as and in most cases more than
we arc losing from the other races. His
conclusion on this point was:
ION tho whole we are still gaining
slightly In population througn. immigra-
lion. We need expect no serious d!minu-
ton in the American labor supply az a
result OF the call for 'cannon fodder
from the countries at war"
Increase In Some Occupations.
ut was also important to note" Prof.
Jenks said. that in the so-called pro
teSsional occupations there was through
immigration a net increase of 1857 In
the year ended June 80, 1915. In skilled
occupations there was ar increase OF
$500. The only skilled occupa-
lions wherein this country lost in
This period were: Cigarmakers. 273
mechanics. 3,7O3; miners, ELS. and
,extile WORKERS, 999. Despite the depar-
ture OF reservis,s for Europe the United
states had more bakers. butchers, car
penters, iron ard steel workers, lock-
smiths. machinists, metal workers. paint
-rS. stone cutters, weavers and splnners
at the end of the veal than at the be-
ginning. In October last 1887 skilled
workers entered the country and only
l,22S left. only In the class OF un-
skilled laborers was there any great
reduction in the year ended June 30.
lHl5, and the actual reduction in the
miscellaneous group OF occupations. In
Guiding unslllled workers. was only
1876. Farm laborers increased 22.24s.
The first four months of the present
Immigration year Prof. jerks con-
.inued. bear out the above statements.
over 1000 NOR. professional workers
have arrived than have returned. and
some what over 1000 more skilled work
>rs. Only in the class Of unskillcd labor
ers has there been any large diminution
COS, 000), largely accounted for by the
southern Italians,
Prof. jerks agreed with these sen
fences In the Labor Gazette for Novem-
b~er-December:
"a careful review OF conditions can
hot. Of course, warrant the conclusion
that there is a general scarcity of labor
f. the United States, III spite Of the
greatly increased industrial activity and
diminished immigrant supply"
If a real shortage Of labor should
srpcar and wages should soar too high.
Prof. jerks continued, tho condition
would bs checked by "a more intensive
use OF machinery and by the stimuli
ton OF invention such as revolution!zed
American industry after the civil war.
He characterized the present shrink
nEc OF immigration az a blessing In dis
crrlse when considered In relation 10 the
general welfare Of the United States.
"The problem Of assimilating millions
of immigrants he said. has been grow
ing more and more insisteut Taxation
for charitable and educational purposes
has been greatly increasing. In Il hun
dred direct and indirect ways the public.
largely the business man, has been pay
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