Evening star., 1939-03-11

227OO4 persons more than came in
to America.
The official figures of the Depart
ment of Labor disclose that 4,487,-
OBS aliens as well as American citi-
zens left America to take up per-
manent residence abroad from 1881
through 1888 and only 4,260,081
aliens and citizens came here to
take up their permanent abode.
The passport system and the i'm
migration regulations make it pos
sible for an accurate record to be
kept, as distinguished from mere
tourist travel both ways. Also it is
possible to find out why people come
= in and why they leave, though the
reasons for the latter are not as
comprehensive as might be desired
Net Outgo Varies.
In some years the net outgo or
net loss is higher than others, as,
for instance, in 1882, when the total
loss was as high as 10000 for that
year alone. This no doubt was in
duced by unhappy economic condi-
tions in the United States. Demand
for skilled mechanics and others
needed for the armament program
abroad has caused the return of
many thousands of former Euro
peans to the continent.
The net loss of 227,O04 persons
through emigration between 1881
and 1888 is in contrast to net gain
.4of 100000 in the period between
1920 and 1880. even though strict
immigration laws went into effect
In 1924. The quota system now lim-
Its the number who can come into
America. Unsettled conditions in
Europe have caused an intense
scramble for an opportunity to get
on the quota lists. and these are
filled for many years to come in
countries like Germany. Some of
the finest types of future citizens,
the sort that America would have
welcomed with open arms 40 and so
years ago. await a chance to come
to the United States under the quota
system.
The total annual inflow is now
limited to 153774 for countries out
side the Western Hemisphere, but it
is not cumulative total, each coun-
try being permitted to send only
specified number per year irrespec.
tive of what is the untitled condition
Of the quota in another country.
The biggest obstacle, of course, is
that those who want to enter must
be able to assure the United States
Government that they will not be-
come what is known as public
charge" Not all can do this. hence
the quotas often remain untitled,
families and relatives of those who
wish to enter America from Europe
have been able, bv reason of i'm
proved economic conditions. to send
for their kinfolk. Hence the curve
Of immigration has turned lately to
a net inflow. small in amount. but
differing from the curve of the last
eight years. when the net outflow
has predominated.
Restriction Exceeds Aim.
As a matter of fact, the theory of
restricted immigration was that
about 153774 more persons would
be allowed each year to come into
the United States than would be
going out. In that respect the re-
striction has gone far beyond the
original intention The principle of
selective immigration used by coun-
tries such as Canada has also served
to retard the flow, because not every
quota can furnish the exact types
which are permitted to enter Amer
lean countries.
On the whole, the possibility of
adding citizens of thrifty quality,
laW-abiding and productive, has
taken on new aspects since the die
tatorship states have been trying to
readjust their internal economy by
exporting portions of their popula-
ton. 1t may we'll happen that in
the next two or three years the die
tatorship states themselves will real
ize they are losing persons of spe-
cial qualification and skill in the
trades and professions, and then, if
their internal economy shows signs
OF recovery, the shortages Will con-
stitute an acute problem. Physi-
clans, for instance, are not made
overnight, nor are the skilled arti-
sans or persons of special qualifica-
tions in industry. tAmerica has the
chance to acquire the cream of
European skill and professional
ability, and the sum total of those
admitted, even if the quota restric-
tions were increased to 100000,
would still be, on a net inflow or
outflow basis, much less than one
quarter of per cent of our total
population of 13O,0OO,OOO.
Copyright, 1039)