IV. An examination of the so-called evils of the new immigration shows that they are either exaggerated or nonexistent. A. The social side. 1. Americans or earlier immigrants have never 2. adopted the standards of an incoming people. The newcomers strive to emulate the native citizens, so it cannot be said that the standard of living is lowered by immigration. The new immigrants have habits of economy and frugality and the ability to make a little go a long way that keeps them free from the aid of charity. 3. The help given by organized charity more often takes the form of advice than it does of alms. In their patronage of the public schools, libraries, art galleries and concerts they may teach Americans a lesson. 4. 5. All the charges against the new immigrants were once made against the old immigrants, i.e. the "wild Irish," the "Dutch," etc. 6. A few aliens have become public charges not because they were immigrants but because of defects in our present social and industrial system which affect both American and foreign born alike. B. The immigrant as an economic factor. 1. Each succeeding wave of immigration has forced the preceding wave forward, driving first the native stock, then the Irish, the Germans, etc., higher in the economic scale. 2. The new immigration, which is a less fixed and stable force than the old, tends to equalize labor conditions. a. News now travels fast and they come to America only in years of promising conditions. b. They return in large numbers in years when times are bad. 3. Once converted to union principles they make excellent union material and are not backward in demanding an American wage. 4. For the money which the immigrant sends home he gives a full return in labor. C. As a political factor. I. 2. As material for political corruption he is often equalled by the native born. His so-called corruption is often due to ignorance and could be remedied by a more careful enforcement of naturalization laws and by better educational opportunities for adults. 3. He often comes to America full of enthusiasm for democratic ideals; it is to our shame that he is sometimes disappointed. 4. From the ranks of immigrants have come many wise statesmen and political leaders. 5. Immigrants on the whole make intelligent, patri otic citizens. V. The solution of the immigration problem requires a change in our attitude toward the immigrant and the adoption of a system of distribution. A. In our attitude toward the immigrant we have thought too much of the benefits he would derive from the mere privilege of living in America. B. We must consider the gifts and natural abilities he brings with him and make better use of them. C. We must cease to blame him for living in a slum and working under bad conditions; the slum and the conditions are ours. D. We must devise a scheme of distribution that will provide for: I. 2. The movement of this new mobile labor force to The establishment of agricultural colonies where b. Their knowledge of intensive methods of farm- VI. The present laws are adequate. A. They keep out criminals, paupers, the physically unfit and all really undesirable classes. B. What is needed is a more careful administration of the laws we now have. VII. The Negative is opposed to the literacy test, because A. It would only restrict numbers; it would not select quality. 1. Literacy is not a test of quality or of intelligence. 2. Literacy is the result of opportunity. 3. The strong, willing, earnest worker, tho illiterate, may be the most desirable citizen. 4. There is less illiteracy among the children of foreign-born parentage in our country than among those of American parentage. B. It would not prove successful in operation. I. It would be superficial and the clever rogue could easily prepare himself to pass it. 2. It would act in favor of the city-bred and against the immigrant from the country districts. C. To make lack of opportunity a punishable offence is contrary to American ideals. BIBLIOGRAPHY An asterisk (*) preceding a reference indicates that the entire article or a part of it has been reprinted in this volume. Many of the magazine articles and pamphlets listed here, as well as similar material that may be published after this volume is issued, may be secured at reasonable rates from the Wilson Package Library operated by the H. W. Wilson Company. GENERAL REFERENCES Bibliographies, Briefs and Debates Edwards, Richard H. Immigration. (Studies in American Social Conditions.) pa. 10c. Author, 237 Langdon St., Madison, Wis. 1909. Iowa, University. Constructive and Rebuttal Speeches of the Representatives of the State University of Iowa in the Intercollegiate Debates, 1913-1914. *$1. Wilson, H. W. 1914. Question: Resolved that immigration be further restricted by a literacy test. Kansas. University. Restriction of Immigration, in Debating and Public Discussion, pp. 36-9. 1910. Library of Congress. List of Books with References to Periodicals on Immigration, comp. by A. P. C. Griffin. 3d issue. 1907. Minnesota High School Debating League. Immigration, in 3d Annual Report, 1904-5. Montana High School Debating League. Educational Test; Bibliog., in Univ. Extension Bul. p. 20-3. University of Montana, Missoula. 1914. Ray, Mary K. Immigration Problem; Bibliog. pa. 25c. Wis. Free Lib. Commission. 1909. Ringwalt, R. C. Restriction of Immigration, in Briefs on Public Questions, pp. 31-41. Longmans, Green & Co. 1913. Robbins, E. C. Immigration, Further Restriction of; Brief and bibliog., in High School Debate Book, pp. 100-8. A. C. McClurg. 1912. Shurter, E. D., and Taylor, C. C. Immigration; Brief and bibliog., in Both Sides of 100 Public Questions, pp. 16-7. Hinds, Noble & Eldredge. 1913. Texas, University of. 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Changes in Bodily Form of Descendants of Immigrants. Columbia Univ. Press. 1912. Reprinted from the U. S. Immigration Commission Reports. Brandenburg, B. Imported Americans. F. A. Stokes Co. 1904. Burgess, Thomas. Greeks in America. Sherman, French & Co. 1913. California. Commission of Immigration and Housing. 1st Annual Report. San Francisco. 1915. Carlton, F. T. Immigration, in History and Problems of Organized Labor, pp. 322-58. D. C. Heath. 1911. Commons, John R. Immigration and Its Economic Effects, in U. S. Industrial Commission Reports. v. 15. 1901. Commons, John R. Races and Immigrants in America. Macmillan. 1907. Grose, H. B. Aliens or Americans. Eaton & Main. 1906. Jenks, J. W., and Lauck, W. J. Immigration Problem. 3d ed. |