, 1920-12-02
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tended we hope to have a classified record of all
the wants of the various sections of the country.
III there is a strong demand Tor miners we will
be able to know 1t at once and place the represen-
thuves OF the mining companies In direct touch
win men who are accustomed to that kind Of
work or who have the physique and the skill to
be trained into It.
although efforts have been made by individuals
and societies to solve this problem of distribution,
there is a clause of the immigration law, l find,
which viii permit the immigration officials to
assist In the work of distribution on a far larger
scale than has ever been attempted In the United
States. Men Of large vision have recognized the
great need of this work and have even supported
1t, but the time has come to take up this matter on
a large national scale.
III years past the immigrant on his arrival
here has gone largely where he happened to drift.
and there have been fragrant cases where his con-
fdence has been abused. He has been over
charged and even robbed, and often he Is ex-
plotted for the selfish gain of those who should be
drawn to him by ties of race. We see to 1t that
immigrant does not leave this island until we are
satisfied that he will not become a public charge
or get n wrong start through his ignorance of the
ways of this country. The immigrants who arrive
here are held until we have satisfied ourselves that
they VIII be settled In some community where
they will have the advice and assistance of rela-
tives and friends. We have also the cooperation
of various organizations, such as the Y. NJ, G. A..
who give us volunteer aids, whose task 1t is to
see that the immigrants get to their destinations.
and are so fairly treated that they will get a fair
chance to start in life anew in their strange
environments"
Well Provided With Money.
A phase Of the immigration of the present is
that, on the whole. the newly come have far more
money than did the aliens who reached here before
the war.
Commissioner Wallis declared that an average
of 500 apiece is about the amount with which
nm Immigrant now reaches this country.
"Iaken all In ALL" he continued. "he might he
considered almost wealthy compared with those
who came here many years ago, and yet we do
nor accept the mere possession of cash as any
Sign that a man will not become a public charge.
We would rather take the risk with n man with
$40 II he has a good trade and a job whiting for
him, and has friends In this country, than we
would n man who may have several thousands of
dollars and yet seem to have no ability and no
Initiative"
One of the veteran inspectors remarked sadly
and remlnlscently that there are now no "types'
coming over the water. A glance at the long lines
In the station on Ellis island bears out this
observation. There are comparatively few OF the
picturesque native costumes TO be seen-the short
trousers, the flowing robes, the elnborntely EN-.
brOidered jackets and the corded bodlces OF peas,
ant garb. Most OF the immigrants are In garments
which have almost an American look.
The women especially have followed the pre-.
Willing French modes with the short skirts md
the low cut collars, such rs are seen In our Fifth
avenue.
Another broadening effect OF the war may be
observed In the grenter spirit Of fraternity and
courtesy which now pervades Ellis Island. for the
newcomers do not seem so strange and outlandlsb.
and like creatures 0f another world. as they hnye
In other decades. The present commissioner. ON
his coming to the station, saw TO II that n new
attitude In this respect was introduced, for the
days of brief authority Wanted ut the expense Of
the ordinary amenities of life have passed. The
new order OF things provides that the Immigrant
shall be welcomed as n man and n brother md
the whole tone OF the station has been altered 10
CONFORM win that ideal. Hence the new regime
meets the requirements OF this present nge and
welcomes those who are admitted at the hnrbor
gate, not es aliens, hut MS new Americans.