New-York tribune., 1921-01-13
Vessel Owners
Gee No Menace
InInnligration
aefute Arguments That
Great Flood of Foreigners
Will Land i'm 1921 Unless
Bau Is Soon Declared
()uiszed by Senator'S
$4,000 to 100000 Given
as Fair Estimate of
Arrivals in Eastern Ports

r-.,, rhs Trsbares Washington B.reuv
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-Represent-
.,;res Of steamship companies. whose
,s.,efs are engaged in carrying immi-
.-.nts. were before the Senate Com
-;ttee on immigration to-day to op-
-. the Johnson bill, which would cut
- immigration for year. Their
testimony was calculated to refute the
.-.uments that there is danger of
.,sst food Of immigration from Europe
in 1921.
reures with respect to the number
a, steerage passengers which are being
hrought over from Europe, were put
lnts the record by Lawson Sandford,
J, New York, representing Phelps
pros. & Co., which has q line to
trieste. They showed the totals per
xeek and for the past year Of arrivals
from Europe and departures to Europe
:. the United States Atlantic ports
from Boston to Galveston.
For 1920, the total steerage pas
,ensers entering these ports were 500,-
so7. The total that went to Europe
vas so3,Ss3. This leaves a net immi
srstion by way Of steerage of $4,000
in round numbers. 1t was pointed out
that the great bulk Of the immigration
srriyes in steerage.
Mr., Sandford said that if the rate is
maintained through 1921 which has
nreyailed since the armis+ice 100000
sis very generous estimate for 1921"
The mos. that could be carried with
oresent steamship facilities in 1921 is
5o0. 600, according to Mr.. Sandford. This
represents the total that could be
brought in in steerage and takes no ac-
count of the number that may leave
the United States.
Mr.. Sanford was closely questioned
by Senator'S Colt, Dillingham; and
Sterling about present transportation
facilities and whether there is possi-
biiity or likelihood that these facilities
will be increased in the present year.
Transportation facilities are about
the same now as in 1907, less the Ger
man feet" said Mr. Sanford.
He estimated the German fleets alb
sence meant a subtraction Of about 20
per cent from facilities. Referring to
steerage immigration, he said the
largest was in 1907, when there were
1,221,e5s admitted, and 527, 7,S61 that de-
parted from the country.
Fifteen German Ships Idle
What part of the German feet is
out Of commission" asked Senator
Sterling.
in the transatlantic service, rough
ly estimated, it is 80 per cent" re-
piled Mr. Sanford He added that
about fifteen German ships. taken over
by the United States in the war, are
not in the service.
Senator Colt, taking up a statement
by the witness that about 100 vessels
are now engaged in the transatlantic
service and carry immigrants, asked
what additions were likely to be made
to this list in tae next year.
NJ. Sandford replied that the mer-
lean line would add one, Cunard two;
Red Star, two; United American Lines
two; United States Mail Line, one;
White Star, two; Phelps Brothers &
Wy l"o Ol tHieS- MS Is dependent
en- conditions, Mr.. Sandford explained.
The add tional vessels would permit
between 100000 and 10000 more i'm
migrants to be carried in 1921, accord
ing to his figures
He said if 40 per cent of the deten-
,,iens at Ellis Island could be remedied
c7 through bookings the rest of the
oetentIons, on account Of the money
question, could be more easily handled
than now.
X. II. Farley, OF New York. assistant
passenger traffic manager OF the Inter
sss;ioasl Mercantile Marine Company;
sidney L. Morse, Of New York, secre-
afy OF the Transatlantic Passenger
conference. and Percy W. Whatnougn,
- sne Cunard Steamship Company,
we're before the committee.