The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-07-09
NEW CITIZENS
GREAT PROBLEM
Secretary of Labor Says
immigration Is One
of u. S. Woes
He WAS NATURALIzED
Davis Is a Welshman, Risen to
Place Of Importance; He
Enumerates Views

the nrcsent time has been called the
greqtest movement of people in the
history OF the world. But changed
conditions. not only In our own
renutry but in the world at large
have made the present problem OF
harIUng immigration entirely diff
isront from what II was 40 years
ago. or even 10 years ago, and far
more difficult
secretary Of Labor James ]. Da-
y.s thus characterizes one OF the
greatest problems now confronting
the United states. I'VE no longer
have the unlimited room and oppor-
mriles for the millions that used
IN come to our shores" said Secre-
nry Davis. under whose department
the immigration laws are admins
tered. Every dictate OF reason COM
pels us to use the utmost care in the
,elrction OF our immigrants.
"At first sight" he says, 1T might
seen. strange that the immigration
service OF the United States shouid
be under the Jurisdiction Of the sec
refary OF labor. a single reminder
will serve TO correct this impression.
The overwhelming majority OF the
tuens who come here to make Amer
lea their home have come here 20
work Most OF them are prepared TO
s,art modestly at the very bottom.
The day OF the man who chiefly
,ousht greater political liberty Ia
,ast In the main; the man who comes
today Is a seeker after economic
freedom. He comes to toll, TO make
place for himself by work.
Amcricanization Work.
And il was no mere accident that
placed these people under the direc-
ton OF the cabinet officer who is
authorized by congress. Ito foster.
promote and develop the welfare OF
the wage earners OF the United
States, 10 improve their working
conditions aud to advance their OPP
portunities for profitable employ
ment. The same wise provision
placed the naturalization OF these
new citizens and their proper Amer
icanization under the care OF 'he
secretary Of labor"
Il is a grave responsibility. Davis
admits, and he then told OF his own
entry into the country.
1T must have been so 40 years
ago, when ! myself came here as an
Immigrant boy, little dreaming that
as secretary of labor OF the United
States | should one day be veste .
with the duty of caring for the
thousands OF other immigrants who
come here now" he said
Jim" Davis, as he is affectionate-
ly called by thousands Of the WORKS
ers Of the country, came from Wales
with his parents when only boy
and was a wage Garner in the tin
mills for many years before he was
called by President Harding to be
member OF the cabinet.
Work Is Heavy.
For many reasons the duty oi
administering the immigration Law is
heavier than it was when / came
over the secretary added. I'm fact,
= he said, the great, complicated and
yet burn!ngly human, problem OF
handling our immigration OF the
present day is so little understood
That feel moved to explain it, at
least In some part.
In former times II was not alone
the hope Of bettering their eco
nem!c conditions that drove citi'
zens Of other countries to seek a
new life in ours. II was more than
new and better home and better
wages and chance to rise and be-
come perhaps rich and illustrious
underour freer institutions that
brought these people here. Such con
slderations undoubtedly counted with
our immigrants of those former days
but great many of them came to
10 N4tU ltI stronger IlbllNt lHdl
that. They sought political liberty
In the shelter of American demoo ra-
ey, They believed that we had a
better form OF government, and they
came chiefly for love OF II.
The war left many OF the Euro
pean countries in a sad economic
condition. while II at the same time
sfprlved thcm OF some OF their hest
men-their strong men--so much
needed at the present time in the re-
construction or their national life
The really patriotic men who wen
through the fire OF battle for theiI
country are not now running away
from their duty; they are sticking by
their governments, These are tht
men who in years past came to vi
and helped in the upbuilding OF oui
country; they are not coming IN u!
g. now
Has Marked Effect.
This situation has had a marked
effect upon the immigration which II
coming TO America. The ravagcs o
war have caused epidemics OF die
ease and starvation. Growing babe
ana children have been undernour
Nhcd and improperly cared for. re
sulting in physical and mental crip
pies Hearing OF the better copdi
ions in America, they decided L
abandon their own countries - e
sHrk their responsibilities and seel
&'oetter condition which the sturdie
character Of the better peoples o
tnelr races helped to build up In ou
New World in the years tgone by.
A little more than a year ago /
became evident TO observers her
mat these lowest types OF the coun
UIcS of Europe and Asia We're pre-
paring 10 move. almost en- masse q
. america. Men and women afflicted
with tHphus, leprosy favus, ring
worm, venereal and other loathsom
diseases. werc brought 10 our gates
IAere were hopeless cripples and
worse still, imbeciles and idiots. In
NesNsations of the reports OF IN
mlIuons OF people Of the slums an
Ehetios OF the Old World comm
.nls way were made by congres
ana found 10 be substantially true
ana as result we have now on ou
statute books a restrictive law whic
WIN permit to come into our countr
MAXIMUM OF 355,000 people in on
Sp" II Is the administration OF tina
aw which makes the task OF IN
"ecretary Of labor difficult one.
America Il Loser.
=, Davis says there is no doubt bu
81 IAlut thn Pha IN ha ~ ff,l