Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-21
NOW MY IDEA IS THIS!
Daily Talks With Thinking Philadelphans Subjects They
Knopv Best

to the country where he lives, and as a
result, he Is an excellent citizen and an
asset to his community.
1.-THE italian is not often in trouble with
the law. In Italy there is no capital pun
ishment and has not been for a great many
years, and the infliction Of the death PEN
atty in this country makes a decided i'm.
preston on the sensitive and high -strung
italian nature. But DO not want 1t un-
derstood that the element of fear is the
Italian is naturally law-abiding and keeps
out Of legal difficulties chiefly because Of
his respect for the law and his innate
desire to do the right thing by his coun-
try and his family.
'The family life Of the Italians. both in
this country and at home, is almost ideal.
This attachment to family is one of the
OF those in that section Of Italy from which
come most Of those now living In this
country. In the early days Of inmigra-
ton, the italian often came here alone,
but sent for his family as soon us he
could; now, the immigration Is by families
wherever this is possible.
italian Government Aid
'"rhe italian Government pays strict at.
tention to those Of its subjects who de.
sire to emigrate to this country or to other
countries to see that they conform strictly
with the laws of admission of the country
which they desire to enter. They do not
allow any Italian to leave Italy unless he
has the physical and mental equipment
which will guarantee his admission to the
country where he Is going. The proof of
this Is seen In the figures Of the Immigra.
tion Commissioner at Washington, where
the percentage Of Italians refused admis-
sion or dcported was only .Ol2, the lowest
Of any nation. And this, too. in view of
the fact that more Italians came here than
any other foreign people.
'The Office attending to this important
duty In Italy IS special one. which is nu-
tonomous, but under the general super
vision Of n special commission Of Senator's
and Deputies of the Italian Parliament, and
Is responsible to the Minister Of Foreign
Affairs: When the italian decides to emf
crate, he has to inform the commission to
what country he Is going, and 1t sees that
he Will not be rejected. In 80 far as this be
possible. He must pass the examination
Of Board of Inspectors before leaving.
This law In Italy has been In force
since 1901, with such notifications as have
seemed wise from time TO time. Its good
results are apparent in the very small num-
ber of Italians refused admission. When
Belgium wanted some skilled labor some
time ago, the Italians who expressed a
desire to go to that country We're prepared
in similar manner, largely through the
use of night schools, which are conducted
under the auspices of the commission. All
the requirements demanded by this Italian
Commission must be fulfilled before permis.
sion for passport Is given, and without
this he cannot leave the country.
Italians in Pennsylvania
''There are now In Pennsylvania 900.
764 Italians born in Italy. These figures
are from the Federal census Of 1920. In
addition ] have compiled some statistics
which show that there are in PENNSYLVANIA
246, 400 Italians born here. but whose mar.
ents were both italian by birth. There are
also 81 ,42S born here of one Italian born
parent. The total represents about 7 per
cent of the population of the state.
''The more highly educated Italians fre.
quently intermarry with American and
other nationalties; among the laborinp and
less highly educated classes this ia com
paratively rare. Most Of the Italian mar.
riages are with children born here, but Of
Italian parentage.
THE italian has few prejudices of race
or birth. They usually live in colonies.
where much Of their native tongue IL spoken
but this is largely because Of their fond,
ness for certain national traits, especially
their food, The better classes learn Eng.
lish rapidly and speak 1t correctly and
dren who attend the American public
schools, and frequently win prizes fnr
scholarship and behavior. English is n
difficult language to learn for any one, 90.
pecially for the older people, and often tbe
best they can do Is a mixture of Enplish
and some of tho Italian dialects RSt
their language has little to do with ,h"is
conduct an citizens. In which resncct tho.
are generally admirable, ''''