UC-NRLF $B 5fl7 175 VRTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR JREAU OF 1MMIGRA.T10N AND NATURALIZATION DIVISION OF INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHER RESIDENTS * PROCEEDINGS o///ie CONFERENCE OF STATE IMMIGRATION, LAND. AND LABOR OFFICIALS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION, BUREAU OF IMMI- GRATION AND NATURAUZATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR :: •■ .•. •• HELD IN WASHINGTON. D. C. NOVEMBER 16*ad 17. 1911 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFRCE 1912 J ^ ^^^ ^ ^ 5> Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/distributionofadOOnatirich DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR (V" BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION DIVISION OF INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHER RESIDENTS PROCEEDINGS of the CONFERENCE OF STATE IMMIGRATION. LAND. AND LABOR OFFICIALS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION. BUREAU OF IMMI- ORATION AND NATURALIZATION. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR :: :: :: HELD IN WASHINGTON. D. C. NOVEMBER 16 and 17. 191 1 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1912 \^ •,.' • •>.' UST OF DELEGATES WHO ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE. Arkansas : J. C. South, Special Representative, Chief Clerk of House of Representa- tives, Washington, D. C. Illinois: David Ross, Secretary, Bureau of Lahor Statistics, Springfield. California : John P. McLaughlin, Commissioner of Bureau of Lahor Statistics, 948 Market Street, San Francisco. Robert Newton Lynch, Vice President California Development Board, Union Ferry Building, San Francisco. Iowa: J. C. Walker, Special Representative, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Box 118, Senate Post Office, Washing- ington, D. C. Kansas : Charles Harris, Director, State Free Employment Bureau, Topeka. Colorado : Alfred Patek, Commissioner of Immigration, Statehouse, Denver. Delaware : Wesley Webb, Corresponding Secretary, State Board of Agriculture^ Dover. Newton L. Grubb, Member of Board of Immigration, Grubbs. O. A. Newton, Member of Board of Immigration^ Bridgeville. Louisiana : Justin F. Denechaud, Secretary, Louisiana State Board of Agriculture and Immigration, State Museum Building, New Orleans. Maryland : A. F. Trappe, Secretary, Maryland State Bureau of Immigration, Baltimore. Frank Armiger, Assistant, Maryland Bureau of Statis- tics a/nd Information, Equitable Building, Baltimore. Hawaii : John J. D. Trenor, Special Representative, Department of Immigration, Labor, and Statistics of the Territory of Hawaii, 142 East Sixty-second Street, New York City. Massachusetts : Charles F. Gettemy, Director, Bureau of Statistics, Statehouse, Boston. Minnesota : A. E. Nelson, Member of Board of Immigratiof%, Minneapolis. 3 968355 LIST OF DELEGATES. Montana:' H. L. Myers, U. S. S., Special Representative, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. Nebraska: J. B. Haynes, Special Representative^ Omaha. Louis V. Guye, Chief Deputy Commissioner of Labor, Lincoln. New Jersey: Theodore Brown, Representative of New Jersey Board of Agriculture, Swedesboro. State New York: Miss Frances A. Kellor, Chief Investigator, New York State Bureau of Industries and Immi- gration, 22 East Thirtieth Street, New York City. John Daniels, Acting Secretary to Miss Kellor, 837 Chamber of Commerce Building, Buffalo. Raymond A. Pearson, Commissioner of Agriculture, Albany. Henry H. Kracke, Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture, 23 Park Row, New York City. North Dakota : C. A. LOUNSBERRY, Special Representative, 76 New York Avenue NE., Washing- ton, D. C. Oregon : Le Roy Park, Chairman Board of Immigration, Portland. Tennessee : T. F. Peck, Commissioner of Agriculture, Nashville. Texas : Austin Cunningham, Special Representative, 18 Third Street SE., Washington, D. C. Ohio: A. P. Sandles,. Secretary of Agriculture, Columbus. Utah: H. T. Haines, Commissioner of Immigration, Labor and Statistics, Salt Lake City. Washington : Ashmun Brown, Special Representative, Bureau of Sta- tistics, Agriculture and Immigra- tion, The Congressional, Washington, D. G. West Virginia : John Nugent, Commissioner of Immigration, Montgomery. Wisconsin : Benj. G. Packer, Commissioner of Immigration, Madison. J. D. Beck, Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Madison. Wyoming : Roy W. Schenck, Commissioner of Immigration, Cheyenne. IIST OF DELEGATES. 5 Southern Commercial Congress; Division of Information: G. Grosvenor Dawe, T. V. Powderly, Managing Director, Chief of Division, Southern Building, Washington, D. 0. Washington, D. O. LeRoy Hodges, Commissioner of Immigration, South- J- L- McGreW, em Commercial Congress, Assistant Chief of Division, Southern Building, Washington, D. C. Washington, D. C. In addition to the foregoing, there were present : M. V. Richards, J. N. Anderson, Land and Industrial Agent, Southern Immigration Agent, Missouri Pacific; Railway, Iron Mountain Railway, Washington, D. C. St. Louis, Mo. T. C. KiMBER, John H. Moore, General Immigration Agent, Gould Chairman Committee on Information Railroads in Texas, for Aliens, The National Society 207 Missouri Pacific Building, St. Louis. of the Sons of the American Revolution, The Wyoming, Washington, D, O. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED. Resolved^ That this conference become a permanent organization, to be known as the National Conference of Immigration, Land, and Labor Officials, and that officers and an executive committee thereof, with full powers, be elected ; and that membership in this conference be restricted to State and Federal officials and their duly appointed representatives; and that the original membership consist of such officials present at this first conference. Resolved^ That this conference establish, during the ensuing year, such offices and at such points as the executive committee shall deter- mine, provided funds therefor can be obtained. Resolved^ That the objects of this conference shall be: (1) To arouse public sentiment (a) favoring increased congres- sional appropriation enabling the Federal Division of Information of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization of the Department of Commerce and Labor to induce admitted foreign-born and native peo- ple to leave congested population centers and go to agricultural and other industries; (6) favoring the creation of State bureaus of immi- gration and information, with representatives at ports of entry, and appropriations therefor by the several States; (c) favoring the exten- sion of the activities of such bureaus for the protection, education, and assimilation of immigrants; {d) favoring the fullest cooperation between the several State bureaus and between the State bureaus and the Federal Division of Information in the above objects. (2) To enlist the aid and cooperation of commercial, civic, philan- thropic, and other organizations in the above objects. Resolved^ That the executive committee of this conference be in- structed to prepare, in cooperation with the Chief of the Division of Information of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization of the Department of Commerce and Labor, amendments enlarging the powers of said division to deal with. interstate problems affecting the distribution, protection, and welfare of admitted aliens and other residents, and enabling the said division to establish branches at such centers of distribution as may be deemed advisable. Resolved^ That this conference recommend the establishment of State free employment bureaus in the various States and the enact- ment of laws safeguarding laborers in search of employment. 7 8 RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED. Resolved^ That the present conference respectfully express to the honorable Secretary of Commerce and Labor its hope that he will find it possible and agreeable to have the proceedings of the present C(.iiference separately published by his department at as early a date as may prove feasible and in sufficient number for widespread dis- tribution. Resolved^ That this conference, having full knowledge of the splen- did and patriotic work done by the Sons of the American Revolu- tion in preparing, publishing, and placing at the disposal of the Federal Government, through the Division of Information, the pamphlets Information for Immigrants, Naturalization of Aliens in the United States, and The Constitution of the United States of America, and having learned of the great aid rendered the Division of Information by the Sons of the American Revolution through its cordial cooperation in the work of distribution, desires to express its approbation of the work so successfully accomplished, and its appre- ciation of the great interest taken in the making of Americans out of the aliens admitted to our country, by an organization whose fore- fathers pledged "life, liberty, and their sacred honor" in defense of the principles on which our Government rests. Resolved^ That this conference, having full knowledge of the splendid and patriotic work done by the Daughters of the American Revolution in preparing, publishing, and distributing the Guide to the United States for the Immigrant Italian, by John Foster Carr, and having learned of the great aid rendered the Division of Infor- mation by the Daughters of the American Revolution through its cordial cooperation in the work of that division, desires to express its approbation of the work so successfully accomplished, and its ap- preciation of the great interest taken in the making of Americans out of the aliens admitted to our country, by an organization whose forefathers pledged " life, liberty, and their sacred honor " in defense of the principles on which our Government rests. Resolved^ That the members of the present conference express to Mr. Powderly, the honorable Chief of the Federal Division of Infor- mation of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, Depart- ment of Commerce and Labor, their gratitude to him for calling them together and their appreciation of the admirable and effective man- ner in which he has presided at the sessions of this conference. NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF IMMIGRATION, LAND, AND LABOR OFFICIALS HELD IN THE PARLORS OF THE EBBITT HOUSE WASHINGTON, D. C, NOVEMBER 16 AND 17. 1911. FIRST SESSION. MORNING OF THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 16. 1911. The conference assembled at 10 a. m., Hon. T. V. Powderly in the chair. Mr. Powderly. The meeting will come to order. We have no roll call, because we have not as yet made up a list of those in attendance. That will be impossible until we ascertain who have responded to the call. Therefore, the first business in order will be to have a sec- retary appointed, and, inasmuch as Mr. McGrew, Assistant Chief of the Division of .Information, is himself a stenographer and accus- tomed to such matters, I will appoint him to act as the secretary of the meeting. We have also arranged to have an official record of the conference taken by one of the most accomplished stenographers in that line in the city. Mr. Caswell has consented to act for us in taking the re- marks made, so that when the convention adjourns we will have a complete record of it. The first thing to do is to announce the names of those present so far as possible. The secretary will attend to that. Mr. Harris. Would it not be well to have them answer as their names are called? Mr. Powderly. I will be glad to suggest that. The gentlemen whose names are called will kindly answer or respond by rising to their feet at the time, so that we may recognize them and be able to know them from this time on. The roll was thereupon called. Mr. Powderly. You will understand that there are several gentle- men present who do not represent States. They are here, however, for the purpose of ascertaining the wishes of the States in the matter and to note the deliberations for their own information and for the good of the country as well. 9 10 DISTRiBUTIOlT OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. The Congress of the United States in 1907 passed a law which provided for the establishment of a Division of Information, the duty of which should be to promote a beneficial distribution of ad- mitted aliens. Its purpose was to correspond with State officials and others, and obtain from every available source information concerning the products, resources, physical characteristics, etc., of the States, publish the same in bulletin form, and give the information gathered to all who might inquire for it. That, of course, included our own citizens as well as immigrants. Whatever our feelings may be as to whether we should give information to arriving aliens or not, we have no doubt that our own citizens should have access to everything good that the country possesses. For that reason, the information that we have gathered is available to everybody. Up to that time nothing had been done with a view to diverting the stream of immigration from our large and congested centers out to the land or small towns, and as a consequence the population of cities increased; then, with the tendency of the boy on the farm to leave the farm and go to the city, the population in rural districts diminished. And so we have the cities being fed from two sources — immigration from abroad and imnygration to the cities from the States and Territories. Something is wrong when a condition of that kind can be truthfully told of, and we are here to-day for the purpose of ascertaining whether it may not be possible for the States, through their immigration bureaus and their labor bureaus, to so cooperate with the Federal Government through the Division of Information as to turn this tide of immigration away from the cities, and to furnish places for our own citizens as well throughout the country. I do not think I am imparting a secret to you when I tell you that a great part of the correspondence of the Division of Information comes from residents of this country and citizens of the country, native as well as naturalized, who have lived here for years (I mean the naturalized ones) and are anxious to change from the city to the country. Some of them were agriculturists in early life. I have noted the ages of those who make application and invariably they are not over 40 years of age. A man of 40 with a family of young chil- dren — three, four, or five — wishing to go on the land should have the opportunity. He has a few hundred dollars, maybe thousands. He wants to know where to go, and up to the present time, or up to within about a year, the division could not tell him definitely where he could find the land and the conditions that he wanted. We are beginning to get that, through the different State officials, and there should be some means adopted whereby every State in the Union should tell that man what it has to offer him ; and every State in the Union has something to offer to a man who wishes to leave some other CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 11 State. We do not have anything to do with the man across the water ; that is entirely foreign to our purpose. Immigration we have nothing to do with — it is the resident of the United States, once he has legally passed the gateway of our country and is among us. If he is fit to come among us, we should treat him kindly and we should take care of him, for our own sake if not for his. We should do something toward steering him properly when he gets here, and not allow him to fester in the slums, as we have so often been told of; he should be told of the advantages this country has to offer him out on the acres. We hear about the abandoned farms of New England, New York, and Pennsylvania. There are no abandoned farms in any of those States, not one; but there are lands not being used, because people do not know of them. That is the view I take of it. And the same thing may be said of a great many other States. These lands should be listed. Those who have charge of such matters in the various States should make the facts known through some central source to the people at large. This is in brief. I could go on for hours and tell you about it, but you know possibly as much about that part of it as I do, if not more. We are here for the purpose of arriving at some conclusion or arrangement whereby the Federal Government may cooperate with the States through you gentlemen, representing the agencies having in charge the diverting of immigration to the places that you know of in your States. Immigration to a State does not necessarily mean that it should come from abroad ; one can immigrate to Kansas from Pennsylvania, or to Pennsylvania from New Hampshire. And it is immigration into the States that we are to talk about. Having said that, it will be in order to tell you why I did not, when I was asked* to do it, select a number of gentlemen to make speeches here. My experience in life — and I have had possibly 25 years of it; I am just as young as you are — is that when a man has been selected to make a speech to a body of men who have gathered together for the first time, he goes through the dictionary and en- cyclopedia and makes up a real pretty speech ; then he puts his right hand in here [indicating] and stands up to either read that speech or, if he has committed it to memory, say it very nicely, while away off in the corner some other man with a good deal better speech bot- tled up in him may not be mentioned or know that he will have an opportunity of saying anything, because another has been selected to do the talking. I selected each one of you to do his own talking, have not asked any man to come here to make a speech, but each man is privileged — not only privileged, but has a right — to tell in his own way what he knows about the subject and what he believes. So each one will have the privilege of the floor. 12 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHEtlS. I think your first duty is to select a chairman. Mr. Harris. Mr. Chairman, under the circumstances I think it would be entirely proper and the right thing that the present chair- man be selected. I therefore move that that be our desire. The motion was seconded. Mr. Harris. Gentlemen, you have heard the motion that Mr. Powderly be our chairman. Are there any objections? The question was taken and the motion was unanimously carried. The Chairman (Mr. Powderly). I thank you, gentlemen, for this honor. Mr. Haynes of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, if not out of order, I should like to move the selection of Mr. McGrew as secretary for the conference. The motion was seconded and carried. The Chairman. I do not know whether a vote is necessary for Mr. Caswell to take the minutes or not, but I think it would be proper. Mr. Harris. I think, Mr. Chairman, it would be well for you to handle that in your own way. The Chairman. If there are no objections, Mr. Caswell will be recognized as the official stenographer of the conference. What is your further pleasure ? Mr. Packer. Mr. Chairman, are those publications to be issued in separate pamphlets for each State, or are they to be a bound volume ? The Chairman. What pamphlets? Mr. Packer. The information that we sent in some time since. The Chairman. Yes ; they are to be published in bulletin form. I sent out a circular letter to the various State agencies and officials of the various States a couple of months ago, asking them to prepare a statement of their conditions, such as I outlined in my talk a little while ago. That, when collected, will be published in pamphlet form. Some States have not as yet responded. We get all kinds of informa- tion, and some of it is not informing, so that we have to keep digging it up and writing them to send it in; therefore, we are a little late in that. It is not our fault, because we can not get it. Mr. Haines of Utah. You said two months ago. Was it not earlier than that? The Chairman. Yes; but it is two months since they began to come in. Mr. Trenor. Mr. Chairman, inasmuch as it is customary for bodies of gentlemen assembled in Washington for different purposes to pay their respects to the President, if it be the wish of the body and if it be compatible with the President's engagements to receive us, I move that we call at a suitable time on the President to pay our respects to him. Mr. Haines of Utah. I second the motion. I CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 13 The Chairman. You have heard the motion. I believe that under such circumstances some arrangement should be made beforehand. However, we will take your wishes in the matter. Are you ready for the question? The motion was agreed to. Mr. Haynes of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, I would like to move that the proceedings of this conference be put into printed form by the Division of Information, if that course of action is possible. That is to say, I would like to have the sense of this conference on that point. Seeing the necessity for the publication of the proceedings of this conference, if it can be done as a departmental matter, I move that it is the sense of this conference that that be done, and ask for a second. The motion was seconded. Mr. Harris. Mr. Chairman, excuse me ; I understood that you had already provided for that. The Chairman. No ; I have not provided for that. Mr. Harris. We certainly would like to have it ; I think there is no doubt about that, and therefore I second the motion. A Delegate. Is that imposing any hardship on the department ? The Chairman. I don't know as to that, but we can express to the department the sense of the conference, anyway. That is what Mr. Haynes's motion is, I believe. A Delegate. They have more money than we have. [Laughter.] The question was taken, and the motion was agreed to. The Chairman. What is your further pleasure ? Mr. Trenor. Mr. Chairman, I move that you appoint a committee to call upon Secretary Nagel at the proper time to escort him to the meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried. The Chairman. I think it will be in order to appoint the mover of the motion. You did not specify how many. Mr. Trenor. I leave that to the Chair. The Chairman. I will appoint as chairman of the committee Mr. Trenor, of Hawaii ; Mr. Pearson, of New York ; Mr. McLaughlin, of California; and Mr. Cunningham, of Texas. The secretary will be ready, I think, about 11 o'clock. I think an expression of opinion from the representatives present as to the purpose of the meeting would be in order; and, in the ab- sence of any special roll call, I would like to hear from those who have anything to offer and are prepared to offer it at this time. Mr. Harris. Mr. Chairman: Previous to coming here I studied over the matter ; and, while I do not know that I can give any special information, I prepared in typewriting a statement of the workings of the free employment bureau of Kansas, and possibly the quickest way would be for me to read that, as I would be liable to overlook 14 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. some points in it if I should attempt to talk from memory. It is not long, and possibly it may be of interest to some. At least I find that Nebraska, Minnesota, and our neighboring States on the north are interested. The bureau of free employment in Kansas has acted as an immi- gration bureau for that State to a large extent, inasmuch as every year, through its instrumentality, there are from 20,000 to 40,000, and even 50,000, strangers brought from every section of the Union, and from outside of the Union — from the Provinces of Canada — to harvest our immense wheat crops. These men come there and see what the country is, and it seems to me it is one of the best methods of advertising that we could have out there, and the best method of influencing people who wish to farm to come where they can see immense crops and make their own estimates. I will not attempt to make any further talk, but will simply read this paper : The State Free Employment Bureau of Kansas has been in active operation since March, 1891. It was created avowedly for the purpose of supplying hands to harvest the great wheat crops of Kansas; and when it is taken into con- sideration that from 20,000 to 40,000 hands, in addition to those already in the State, have to be imported from other States, it will be readily seen that the task is no light one. Yet this task has been more or less successfully accomplished each year since the organization of the bureau, and generally without overdoing the matter. In fact, with the exception of the last harvest, there has never been a year in Kansas since the organization of the bureau when a few more harvest hands could not have found employment. The experience of the bureau has demonstrated the fact that the great task of the bureau is not so much to get a great army of men to go to Kansas to gather the crops as it is to get them properly distributed where their services are most needed. This distribution the present management thinks it has now under thorough control. A couple of years ago a good test was made. One of the wheat centers adver- tised freely in a number of the largest cities for several thousands of hands to harvest the wheat of the county in which the city was situated. As the city advertising was on a trunk line of railroad, and the advertising was thoroi^ghly done, thousands of men answered in person, until the city hall and other buildings had to be used to house them, and the streets were crowded with men unable to obtain work. The correspondent of the free employment bureau at the place wired an account of the situation to the bureau. Direc- tions were at once wired back stating places needing men and the number needed at each place, and before 12 hours elapsed the congestion was at an end. The mode of obtaining the necessary information is as follows: About April 10 the bureau sends out its " First inquiries," asking correspondents in every county raising wheat what the acreage is and its percentage as compared with the year previous. From these reports an estimate of the total acreage of the State is made. About May 16, or later, according to crop prospects, " Harvest schedule " inquiries are sent out. In these correspondents are asked to state the number of men and teams each estimates will be needed from outside sources to har- vest the crop of the county, and the number needed at each point or post office CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 15 in the county. In some counties there are a number of correspondents. The reports from all of these are taken together and an average estimate arrived at. In this manner a very correct estimate can be arrived at, which, however, may be materially changed by good or bad crop weather, as was the case last year, when hot, dry weather matured crops two to three weeks sooner than had been expected and materially cut down the yield in Kansas, and almost destroyed the wheat crop in Oklahoma, Nebraska, and South Dakota. On the contrary, in the year previous, 10 days made so much diiFer- ence in the increase of the crops that I had to send out bulletins doubling the number of men. I first had called for 20,000, and then asked for 40,000 men. So that even such a short space of time as 10 days at the critical period will almost destroy a crop or will double it, and we have to keep very close watch of this. From the last reports received the " Harvest schedule " is made out, con- sisting of a tabulated statement containing the name of every county in the State needing hands, with the number asked for by each town, village, or post office in the county. Copies of this schedule are furnished the Associated Press, the ticket agents of all the different railroads, the free employment agents of Missouri at Kansas City, St. Joseph, and elsewhere, to secretaries of Young Men's Christian Asso- ciations, and to such other parties that are willing to assist in this distribution of laborers without charging for their services. It is not the policy of the bureau to furnish information to private employment agencies which charge workingmen for the same. And they resort to all methods to obtain the information which the State has gathered. They send spies up to my office when I am sending men to the harvest fields to find out where I am sending them, and then they go back to their offices and charge $2, $3, and $5 for that information. In one instance a batch of men came from Louisville, Ky., and paid $17 apiece to an employment agent down there, and all he did was to send them to the director of the State free employment bureau in Kansas. Then the bureau is swamped with letters of inquiry — as many as 200 a day sometimes — all of which are promptly answered, and inquirers for work directed just when, where, and to whom to report in the harvest field. Previous to this, thousands of letters have been received and answered in a similar manner, many of them from parties who have helped at previous harvests. These letters come from every State in the Union, from Maine to Florida and Texas to California. One of the best sources from which Kansas draws her harvest hands is the great colleges of the Nation, college students being considered among the best harvest hands that enter the State. But not alone does the bureau furnish harvest hands for Kansas. Every year a surplus of early arrivals start in on the border line of Oklahoma, and after getting through with Kansas pass on to Nebraska, then to South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and even the Dominion of Canada. Nearly, if not all, these men come in answer to the harvest call of Kansas issued by the free employment bureau. So that Kansas is really doing a work in this bureau fcr several of her neighboring States. 16 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. It should be borne in mind that the harvest hands have to pay their own way to the harvest fields, as the railroads, especially in the West where they have been restricted to 2 cents a mile, utterly refuse to make any reduced rates, as they did a few years ago. They are still giving virtually the same rate that they used to. They used to give me a rate of 1 cent a mile to the harvest field and 3 cents for the men to get back home again, which made 4 cents for the round trip. They now make it 2 cents each way, and they say they are doing just as well now as they did then for the hands. Yet, so far, there has been no great difficulty in securing all the hands needed. There are, possibly, several causes for this. The principal one, how- ever, is the good wages paid, ranging from $2.50 a day and board up to as high as $4 a day for especially capable hands. Many come to the harvest fields for the good of their health, for the exer- cise, and the wonderful ozone of the Kansas harvest field. This is especially applicable in the case of the college students referred to above. These college students go out there, and every dollar they make is clear money. It does not cost them anything to live while there, and they live on the fat of the land. Lots of them have written to me that they make enough during the harvest (and they follow it up into Nebraska and South Dakota, frequently) to pay their college expenses during the following winter. Then there are many who come to the harvest fields for the experience and in order to make arrangements to learn Kansas farming, with the intention of making the State their home. And in this manner many of our best farmers have come to Kansas. I am in receipt of lots of letters to that effect. The State Free Employment Bureau also conducts an everyday business of bringing employers and employees together, and, under an act of the last legislature, has supervision of all private employment agencies in the State, the director being empowered to issue licenses, collect fees for same, and to revoke said licenses for good and sufficient cause, and to prosecute employment agents for fraudulent acts. There was another point that I forgot in regard to this. As I say, the bureau keeps a close tab and directs the men right from their homes in North Carolina, Texas, Maine, or wherever it may be, to the individual farmers that they are going to work for. On the other hand, as in this last year, circumstances may change things within a very few days. Last year we had extremely dry weather and extremely hot weather. In some places they got as much as 30 bushels an acre from wheat that was not over 6 to 8 inches high. They had to use a header entirely for it, and the wheat crop matured so quickly that it threatened to throw thousands of hands into Kansas with no work in prospect for all of them. The bureau then imme- diately notified all the college presidents from whom they had already engaged hands, telling them to stop all students who had not already started. It also sent word throughout the country CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 17 through the Associated Press, and by this means kept not only our own State, but possibly other States, from being flooded with idle hands. Gentlemen, if this information is of any benefit, I thank you for listening to me. [Applause.] Miss Kellor. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a question, with your permission. I would like to ask Mr. Harris what is done in the matter of redistribution at the end of the harvest season — whether his bureau does any practical work in getting these men back to the colleges from which they come. Mr. Harris. No ; they find their own way back. Miss Kellor. Do you know anything about the effect on the com- munities from which the men are drawn at this season of the year; that is, the effect upon the industries or occupations which they pre- sumably desert, unless they are a floating population? Have you any information about that? Mr. Harris. No ; I have no information about that at all. I think the majority of the men who come out to the harvest in Kansas and in the West are not mechanics; they are not in steady employment. Take, for instance, the college students. A great many that come out to the harvest in the West, I am of opinion, and in fact I know from talking with them, do not come to the harvest because of the wages, but for the experience and for the tonic — their health. They go out there and they get as brown as a mulatto, almost, out in the field, and eat four times as much as they ever were known to eat before, and go back home strong and healthy, and lots of them return just for that effect. I have never heard anything in regard to any effects, harmful or otherwise, from the great army of harvesters coming from different parts of the Union to the harvest in the West. I think it is largely composed of those who are not regularly em- ployed. If there are any other questions that anybody thinks of, I shall be glad to answer them as best I can. Mr. South. Mr. Chairman, I would like to suggest to the gentle- men that I live in Arkansas, and many hundreds of men go from my State to the Kansas harvest fields. They are usually young men who are dependent on their fathers for support and who lie around a good deal of the time at home with nothing to do — the sons of coun- try merchants and farmers who have no harvesting to do, but who engage in stock raising or something of that character, which during the harvest season does not require their help. From my own county I am satisfied that a hundred men go every year into central Kansas, some 300 miles, to make the liberal wages that are offered. It does not interfere with the local labor, because there is nothing to do at that season of the year. I thank you for your information, ^508°'— }? Z 18 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. A Delegate. Mr. Chairman, will the speaker kindly tell us what proportion of these laborers are foreigners, and among those what are the chief nationalities? Mr. Harris. There are very, very few foreigners. They are nearly all Americans, possibly some of foreign descent. It is very rare that we find anyone coming to the harvest who is not an American citizen. A Delegate. Mr. Chairman, I w^ould like to ask the gentleman what proportion of those remain in the State, and what avocations they take up if they remain there. Mr. Harris. I could not answer that. If I could get all of them to remain there Kansas would have the biggest population of any State in the Union in very short order. [Laughter.] A Delegate. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the gentleman what nationalities of laborers are used on the railroads. Mr. Harris. A great many out there, especially of late years, are Mexicans. There are some colored, but there are principally Mexi- cans on all the railroads, I think, from Kansas west, and — well, from Chicago and possibly farther east. I do not wish it understood that they are the train hands. These Mexican laborers are the men who work on the track and do the lowest class of work. There is nobody, I think, but Americans employed on the railroad itself. Mr. Pearson. Mr. Chairman, I wish to ask this question : Is there a growing tendency in Kansas to adjust the system of farming so that labor will be employed more and more throughout the entire year on the farms? Mr. Harris. There is nothing in that line that I know of. We have no immigration bureau. Mr. Pearson. To apply that, for example, is the dairy industry increasing as compared with the wheat-raising industry in Kansas? Mr. Harris. Oh, yes ; general farming in that line. General farm- ing all through Kansas is increasing, I think, all the time, and there is a constant demand for good farm hands. There is a class of men who come to the employment office and their faces become very familiar, and I have come to the opinion that if they met a job on the sidewalk when they were coming up and they got a good glance at it and were satisfied that it was a job, they would break their necks to get out of the way. [Laughter.] And they are the ones that bother the anployment agents most to get them a nice job — nothing to do, lots of time to do it in, and good big wages. [Laugh- ter.] Mr. Sandles. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask what is the aver- age wage paid for hired men throughout the year. Mr. Harris. Do you mean farm hands? Mr. Sandles. Yes, sir ; by the day if employed that way, and by the month if employed that way. CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 19 Mr. Harris. The average is $25 and board; that is, they give a man $25 if he says he is a farm hand. The farmers send word to me; and if he is a good farm hand they will give him more than that. They pay $1.25 a day and board or $1.50 a day and let them board themselves. That is about the average, I find. But the day worker at $1.25 a day does not get paid for the days he does not work. When it rains he pays his board but does not get any Avages. That is the difference. Does that cover the question ? Mr. Sandles. $1.25 with board or $1.50 without board for day laborers, and $25 with board by the month ? Mr. Harris. Yes. Gentlemen, I thank you for your courtesy. Mr. LouNSBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I represent North Dakota, and I would like to say, in reply to some of the inquiries that have been made, that our State is largely a one-crop State, or a two-crop State, wheat and flax being the principal crops, and necessarily a large number of farm hands are required during the harvest season. These farm hands come from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and sometimes as far east as Michigan. They are generally the best class of citizens, young men from the farm, very few foreigners among the number, and they come as a God-send, almost, to our State; and when their work is over, with very few exceptions, they return whence they came, generally with a good fat roll, as it is called out there, for the reason that the wages are high, sometimes as high as $2 a day, during the harvest season. There are but very few" disreputable characters among them; but very few dissolute men among them. There are always a few men who are hangers-on, who seek to mis- lead them, who seek to inveigle them into gambling and sometimes into drinking, from the distribution of liquor by "blind pigs," as they are called, or bootleggers, or whatever you may call them. There are no saloons in our State, prohibition prevailing, and on the first offense there is a fine of $400 and a sentence of 90 days, and on the second offense they are sent to the penitentiary, so that the liquor traffic is very generally suppressed ; and prohibition grew out of the necessity for farm labor during the harvest season. Some of these laborers find hemes in the State and become perma- nent and valuable settlers. Of that portion, however, there are but few. The labor of the railroads was for a time Japanese ; that is, on the Great Northern Railroad. I think it has discontinued the use of Japanese labor, although I have not been there for two j^^ears, as I am now residing in this city. The laborers, aside from that, are generally the people who have homestead claims in the country — or at least some of them have homestead claims — and they run about as our settlers do. A large portion of our settlers are Canadians and Scandinavians. Probably fully one-half of the people of that 20 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. State are Canadians or Scandinavians, and in both instances they are very valuable people. The Kussian people are among the very best settlers in the western portion of the State. They are adapted to the conditions that we have there and are good citizens and good farmers and a valuable element for the State to have. The Canadians that I spoke of came came very largely to the State in the early days and remained there. There is a floating population who came in and commuted on their homesteads and have gone over into the Canadian northwest for settlement. Possibly 100,000 people have gone from our State to the Canadian northwest, but the Canadians are not among the num- ber. They are remaining. I spoke of the railroad labor being largely the homestead people and sons of homestead people in the vicinity. I referred to the sec- tion hands and the people engaged in keeping up the repairs. The extension of the railroads is largely done by Italian labor; that is, the Italians form the greater portion of that labor. I do not know any other point that I wish to present at this time, Mr. Chairman. (Secretary Nagel entered the room.) The Chairman. Previous to your coming, Mr. Secretary, a com- mittee was appointed to wait upon you and escort you to the con- ference, but your messenger came over and said it would not be nec- essary, as the Secretary sent word that he knew the way himself and did not care to take the gentlemen away from their duties here. Mr. Secretary, this is a conference of the officials having to do with immigration and labor matters in the various States and Terri- tories, called for the purpose of effecting a cooperation between the Division of Information of the Bureau of Immigration and Natural- ization in your department and the various States through their boards of immigration, and they are here discussing various plans looking toward that end. As one having more to do than any other with the final determination of the subjects to be discussed here when properly before him, I take great pleasure in introducing the Secre- tary of Commerce and Labor, Mr. Nagel, who is here to speak to you upon this and such other questions as he may deem proper. [Applause.] ADDRESS BY SECRETARY NAGEL. Secretary Nagel. Ladies and gentlemen, the welcome which has undoubtedly been extended to you I can only confirm; but I want, for my self, • to add how gratified I am to know that you gentlemen, representing the States of the Union, have thought it worth while to come to this city to confer together, and to confer with us as to ways and means by which the solution of this great human and economic question may be accomplished, or at least promoted, CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 21 This is a convention city. There are a great many meetings of representatives of different interests of this country held here. They are of great value, because if nothing more is accomplished we at least have the result that representatives from different parts of this varied cotintry have a chance to look each other in the eye and to learn by direct intercourse what are the opportunities and what are the embarrassments of different sections which you represent. Long- range shooting is a dangerous thing. Most misunderstandings are to be attributed to the fact that the people who are chiefly interested do not get around the same table and talk it out man to man. New York will know more about Louisiana, and California will know more about Florida, if the representatives meet in the same room, at the same table, and talk it out. Of course the conventions which have usually been held represent particular interests. We have been individualists, and we have been accustomed to gather our forces for the promotion and protection of some special interest. In my opinion, very much of our difficulty at the present time is to be attributed to that fact. We have, so far, not managed to bring ourselves together into one body of men who find their own profit, their own advantage, and their own success in the happiness and success of their neighbor, but we are coming to it. Now, this meeting is of an entirely different character, and I welcome it, particularly because it is one of the few instances in which representatives of the several political organizations (speak- ing of them in the larger sense) of this country have come together to bring about an intelligent, patient, and successful cooperation of the Federal Government with the individual States. Nothing is so necessary, to my mind, at the present time as just such cooperation. We have spent nearly a hundred years in dis- cussing the conflict between State rights and national power. It was inevitable. We had to make enormous sacrifices to bring that question to anything like a wholesome decision. But, in my judg- ment, the time is ripe for a clear recognition of the fact that the real solution of the dual system of government lies, not in an attempt to find out just how much a State may do, or how far the National Government may encroach upon a State, but to find out how that undefined zone between ^Federal and State authority can best be solved by intelligent cooperation between the two. This is not, of course, a new idea. Again and again the Supreme Court of the United States has said that these are questions that can be solved only by cooperation between the- State and Federal authority. It is for commercial power; it is for such organizations as you have, endeavoring to solve such problems as are presented to you, to carry out by one means or another the suggestion which has been so forcefully stated by the Supreme Court. 22 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. There are other instances, especially in my department, of at- tempts at cooperation between these two functions of government under our dual system. Different phases are represented in different bureaus, and so far, I think, very few of us have made any real effort to discriminate as to what forces are or ought to be engaged in that attempt. Take the Bureau of Labor, for instance. That bureau makes the most exhaustive examinations into wage conditions throughout the United States. In some industries we have reports which are practically complete as to the wage-earning conditions — not only as to the wages but as to the conditions under which men, women, and children work. Now, many citizens assume that, inasmuch as the Federal Government has made this investigation, therefore the Federal Government ought to provide the relief for the conditions which have been found. I am of the opinion that that conclusion does not follow. The Federal Government ought to make the in- vestigation, because all the citizens of the United States (and we have such a thing as a citizen of the United States) are interested in that information; and in order that we may have that informa- tion in a reliable form, so that comparisons can be made and intelli- gent conclusions may be drawn, the investigation ought to be made by one central authority, giving the results upon the same basis by the same methods throughout. But, as I say, when that has been done it does not follow that the relief for the conditions should be provided by the same authority. People ask me, "Are you a State righter or are you a nationalist ? " I say, " I am neither or both." I believe in the integrity of the State and I believe in the authority of the Nation, each within its proper jurisdiction. I should regret the day when the National Govern- ment is, by force of circumstances, driven to assume an authority that was not contemplated; and I should regret the day when the State concludes persistently and permanently to present embarrass- ments to the intelligent development of questions that in their very nature are of a national character. It was well said in the early days by Wilson that this is a dual system, but that it is one Govern- ment. The State must be permitted to do everything that it can do, but when the State fails there must be some government to take its place. Generalizing upon that question, I still believe that the State has to do essentially with the welfare of the individual man, while the National Government has to do more particularly with the develop- ment of the material interests. When the Bureau of Labor has, there- fore, made its investigation and given its report, I think it ought to be left to the State authorities, by their action, to regulate the conditions in their own domain. If they fail to do it, no one can CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 23 tell what will follow, because the pressure for relief of one kind or another will ultimately be so strong that if the State fails the Na- tional Government will be driven to act. Law is not logic, gentle- men. Government is a practical proposition. The Constitution itself belongs to the people, and when relief does not come from one source there is always danger that it w^ill be provided by another. Take another bureau, the Bureau of Standaj-ds. It furnishes the standards not only for weights and measures but for a great many other things — the force of electricity, thermometers, the strength of materials, cement, steel, etc. These standards are provided for the entire country. In many respects they are agreed to by other nations. We are endeavoring to standardize a great many things by inter- national agreement, to come to a common conclusion, because we are engaged in international trade upon a large scale. Now, those stand- ards should be left to be enforced by State authority, in my judg- ment. The question is, How far will the State enforce them ? The National Government is authorized by the Constitution itself to fix weights and measures. If the States do not enforce these standards, the National Government will inevitably be compelled to insist upon the standards which it has fixed, just as it does now insist upon the integrity of the dollar. These are mere illustrations. There are other instances of pressing need for rational cooperation. Take the Division of Information in the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, in which you are im- mediately interested. It calls for cooperation upon an entirely dif- ferent basis. Cooperation is not commanded by law. I suppose the National Government could, under the Constitution, proceed alone, and it might proceed under the law as it now stands without having regard for any of you. But that would be unwise. The real force of the law is the will of the people; without that will there is no enforcement possible. The real meaning of the law is not the letter, but its spirit; and in enforcing the law with which we are charged and in using the power which the National Government has, we must keep in mind what is the purpose of immigration, who is to be served, w^ho is therefore to be considered, and whom we must consult when we form our plans and make our decisions. I am frank to say that, in my judgment, the intelligent enforcement, the satisfactory admin- istration of the law, depends more upon the information which you gentlemen can give us, either by way of advice or warning, by telling us what you want done or what you do not want done, than upon any other factor ; and for that reason I believe a meeting of this kind is of first importance. Now, how is this cooperation to be had? Of course, it will be dangerous for me to suggest or attempt to suggest anything by way of detail. About that you will know more in a minute than I would 24 DISTRIBUTMOK OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. learn in a month. But, in a broad way, questions of this kind have presented themselves to me, and I am a great believer, even at the risk of making a mistake, in speaking my mind frankly, because it may encourage discussion, and dispassionate discussion always results in some good. Now, at the foundation is the authority of the Federal Government to decide who shall enter and who shall be excluded. Not only are we charged with the decision of that question, but we control natu- ralization itself. So the whole question involving entry into the country, and subsequently the dignity of citizenship, is, to all intents and purposes, lodged in the Federal Government. But while it is true that the Federal Government has that authority, it is equally true that the States which you represent are compelled to bear the burdens or are in a position to receive the benefits of any decision which we may make. It is therefore in the interest of the country that we should know what your needs are, what you can take and what can not profitably be given to you. At the port of entry one of the controlling factors in determining the question of admis- sion or exclusion is the destination of the alien and the conditions into which he is likely to come. Those conditions we should learn from you ; and the more intelligently, the more promptly we have a descrip- tion of those conditions, the better will we be enabled to make our decisions so as to give satisfaction to you. For one, I am persuaded that the Federal Government has so far exercised its authority over the alien in a very restricted form. We are interested in the destination. For instance, we might admit a man who is going to Wyoming when we would reject that same man if he were going to New York City. Why? Because in one case he is going to a congested center in which we know he is not apt to seek employment that is not already occupied, in which he will only be a cheap competitor with existing conditions ; and in the other we have a right, in the absence of advices to the contrary, to assume that he may become a creative force. That is the difference, and that same element is prevalent in every decision. Now, suppose we admit a man and his family destined for a distant point. According to the present theory we hold him in suspense at the port until his fate is decided ; he is neither one thing nor the other until we decide to let him in. When the decision favorable to him is made, he, with all his belongings, is dumped on the pier, and from that moment the Government withdraws all protection from him. Up to that time it has exercised the control of absolute power, and the moment he lands on the ferryboat or pier he is expected to take care of himself. He has the assistance of voluntary organizations, most of which are of immense value in that respect, some of which have been found to be objectionable, working in disguise at the expense of CONFEREi^Cfi OP St ATE OFFICIALS. 26 the immigrant instead of protecting him. But whatever protection he does get is purely from voluntary organizations, and to all intents and purposes the Government withdraws its hands. I am inclined to think that it is a matter of wise policy for the Government to say : " If we exercise this arbitrary power of admis- sion or exclusion, and if we admit a man, relying as one of the chief elements upon the fact that he is going to a particular place, then we must be interested to see that he gets to that place " ; not to pay his fare, I do not mean that, but to protect him against the dangers that surround every innocent person in the land. That is true of women ; it is true of men. We know — and I do not wish to refer to the subject at length here — but we know that a great many immi- grants are, from the moment of their acceptance in this country, subject to dangers of every possible description, dangers against which our own people, acquainted with the customs of our own country, are sometimes not able to protect themselves. I am inclined to think that we ought to extend our protection as a matter of econ- omy. We do not want to land people in a helpless condition in these States, but we want at least the satisfaction that when we decide to let them go to those localities they shall go, as far as possible, in their real integrity. You do not want our hospitals filled with impossible people. I know, and you are no doubt aware, that the service is under serious criticism, at one port at least, for enforcing the laws too strictly. I know it as well as you do. You may not know, as I do, that our service is at the same time under very serious criticism — not public — from the representatives of States who object that we are too lenient in the enforcement of the law at that same port. The authorities of New York, Massachusetts, and other States, to which, of course, the great bulk of immigration goes, are making serious protest, and as a rule the objection is made to our unwillingness to deport people after they have entered. For illustration, a whole family comes in. Two years afterwards a member of that family lands in the hospital. The case is one of insanity. The doctors certify that, in their opinion, the causes for that insanity existed at the time of entry. I am asked to take that insane person out of that hospital by a writ of deportation and send him under guard back to the foreign country from which he came. Now, gentlemen, you will agree with mo that this is not an easy task. A man will not sign that writ until he is forced to, will he ? I insist that the inspection should be careful at the port in the beginning, so as to admit as few people as possible who ought not to be admitted. Be as careful as the law directs at the port, but when it comes to the deportation and breaking up of families that have been permitted 26 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. to enter, upon the mere certificate of a medical staff that in their opinion the cause of this disease existed in hidden form at the time of entry, then I believe that this writ should not be signed unless the record leaves no room for doubt. This in part presents your prob- lem; you are interested in it. Ultimately some of that immigration will come to you. When the Panama Canal is finished, I imagine you in the West and South will have a problem that you have not now. You may have more assistance than you have, but you will also be more interested in this last phase of the question. The feature in which Mr. Powderly is more especially interested is the direction which desirable immigration may be advised to take. It is a very delicate question. We must be extremely careful, as Mr. Powderly knows, not to direct new forces to points at which they can only serve to break down established conditions, where they would enter into cheap competition with existing wages. The purpose of the law is to prevent that, and we seek in every way to carry out that provision. I need not say that those conditions prevail in some parts of the country very strongly, while in other parts they hardly exist. Intel- ligent reports in advance about conditions in different sections of the country, in the possession of Mr. Powderly, will enable him to make some intelligent decision when opportunity for advice arises. We have an exception to the rule, which is that skilled labor which can not be supplied in this country may be admitted even under con- tract. Instances of that kind have been comparatively rare. They usually arise where a new machine has been introduced into this country and the labor has to be introduced as a sort of training school to teach the forces in this country how to operate it. Until that new machinery — some foreign invention — has been introduced and has been made an established part of our system of business, skilled labor is introduced for the purpose of operating the machine. I have suggested that that rule might be extended. I maintain that the purpose of Mr. Powderly's division is to bring together the needs of the country and the supply we have — not to dump this new force where we have an abundance, but to direct it to those parts of the country where labor is needed. Now, what labor is needed most? The farmer, of course. Every- one says we have not enough farmers. Well, I have suggested, why could we not introduce farmers as skilled laborers? Men who have worked as farmers on the other side might be willing to come over if they had an assured position in this country. But I have been ad- vised that the farmer is not a skilled laborer ; and I have said, if he is not he ought to be. Perhaps one of our difficulties has been that he was not. If I can get him over here, I propose to have him come. CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 27 He is the force that we really need. It is generally admitted that we are short and that the time is coming when there may be a question whether we are supplying as much as we need for ourselves, while we ought to continue to be an exporting Nation. Of course, I bow to the decision ; but I have not surrendered the contention that in every instance a question of fact is presented whether or not the particular farmer is a skilled laborer. I insist that if he knows how to feed a horse and knows how to train or handle a horse he is, fairly speaking, just as much a skilled laborer as a man who knows how to run a weaving machine, because I know that a man that does not know how to feed a horse will very soon kill it, or at least render it useless. A man who has taken care of a farm on the other side — take Germany, where much of the soil is poor and where it takes attention and vig- ilance and care to make the soil produce — if that man will come over here, knowing something about the character of the soil, knowing what it is adapted to yield, knowing when he ought to sow and what he ought to sow, knowing when he ought to cut, knowing that it is not well to get a crop in during a rain, but that it ought to come in before the rain ; knowing how to make an acre yield 50 per cent more than it yielded before, he is a skilled laborer, and we ought not to hes- itate to let him in. If the law does not permit me to -let him in, the law ought to be changed. That man is just precisely the man who will not come over here on a chance. He has probably worked on poor soil all his life, has supported his family under untoward con- ditions, and hesitates to take the risk. But if he could have in ad- vance the assurance of occupation on a farm, knowing just what it would cost him to get there, and knowipg the conditions under which he would come, he would be willing to come. In my judgment he should have just as much right to come as the man who comes from England or France or Belgium or Germany to tend a weaving ma- chine under a contract. Those are the conditions and the questions which I think we might consider. For my part I am unwilling to pass over the main problem in a haphazard fashion and just admit that the law embar- rasses me and does not enable me to do what ought to be done. I think that here is an opportunity for the development of a real plan, and if you know what you want in your several States, and Mr. Powderly has that information, and you can tell us in advance, or people from your sections can tell us in advance what they do want and what they propose to do, everything will be done to alleviate the situation and to make the plan just as workable as it can be made. Instead of embarrassing you with the technicalities of the law and the red tape of government, we wiU be just as direct about it as we know how. 28 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. I need not say that, broadly speaking, the welfare of the immigrant after he is let in is of tremendous importance (not only to the people immediately concerned), because if he succeeds he is apt to make a good citizen, and if he fails he is apt to be a burden. I urge upon the commissioners at the different ports to be careful about the first impression they give the foreigner, whether he is to be let in or to be rejected. His first impression of this Government, his first feeling that this is a government where he has a fair chance and where he will be dealt with according to the principles of equity, is of the utmost importance in shaping his entire attitude toward this Government. You know that is so, and therefore I would ad- vocate not only the utmost care in the treatment of immigrants at the ports, but I would say that we are interested in the value of the future citizen, in his standing, his attitude, and his feeling for a free government ; and that we ought, as an economic and political propo- sition to protect him against those dangers which exist in this coun- try in spite of our efforts to suppress them. Let us land him as promptly as we can. Send him as safely as we may to the place where he has the best chance, because when he has the best chance you will have the best results. With that plan in view, if you will consider practical measures and discuss them with Mr. Powderly, I can assure you that you will find me in full and absolute sympathy with any broad system that you may work out. The Chairman. On behalf of the Division of Information, I thank you, Mr. Secretary, for coming, and the body will no doubt extend its thanks to you afterwards. Mr. Sandles. Mr. Chairman, could we not have a little intermis- sion of five minutes so that the delegates may shake hands with the Secretary ? The Chairman. I was going to suggest that. A recess of five minutes was thereupon taken. Mr. Sandles. Mr. Chairman, I believe that we are all here for the purpose of getting information as to what can be done and how our State departments can best cooperate with the Federal department. Personally, I want to say to you that the State of Ohio needs farm laborers. We obtained that information officially. Last year we had our township personal-property assessors make a canvass as they traveled over the townships, and they asked this question of each farmer: "Are you handicapped by the lack of sufficient farm labor?" At least four-fifths of the farmers reported " Yes." Now, that is a need in Ohio, and I suspect the same thing is true in every State — perhaps not to that extent. We have aliens coming to this country who are looking for a good and permanent occupation, and there are thousands, no doubt, in the crowded countries of Eu- CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 29 rope who would, if they knew of the opportunities in the different States, be glad to come here. Now, letds find out how we can get those two people together — the man who wants the labor and the man who wants to do the work; and if there are any restrictions in the Federal statutes that ought to be removed, let us find out what they are and recommend that they be so revised and amended that we can get those two people together. I believe that that is what we are here for, and I believe that nine-tenths of the delegates here want to get right down to business and find out how we can get rid of some of the red tape and supply this labor to our farmers. That is what I came here for. It is what the State of Ohio sent me here for — to get good farm laborers for Ohio. Now, I do not know what all the restrictions are that ought to be removed, but let us get this information ; let us make our recommendations and find out what is the best thing to do to accomplish the purpose that we want to accomplish. I just make that as a suggestion, Mr. President. Mr. Haynes, of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, in view of what the gen- tleman from Ohio has just said, and in view of some of the important points made by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, I have to pro- pose at this time the adoption of the following resolution, and in the absence of the secretary I will read it, with your permission : Be it resolved, By the First National Conference of State, Immigration, Land, and Labor Commissioners, that there is need of a revision of Federal and State enactments in order to bring about and foster concert of action as between the Federal and State Governments in the adoption of practical methods to induce able-bodied men to leave the congested population centers and take up lands; and Be it further resolved, That this national conference is heartily in favor of liberal appropriations by Congress and by State legislatures to defray the expense of putting in motion machinery of office that will enable both Federal and State immigration officials to take aggressive action in efforts to reach aliens upon arrival, and foreign-born men residing in this country for years, as well as natives, and to use the influence of said Governments in showing aliens and others the manifold advantages enjoyed by tillers of the soil ; Be it resolved further, That this conference would respectfully recommend to the officials of the Division of Information of the United States Bureau of Im- migration the adoption of plans designed to enlist the active cooperation of consular representatives of foreign States residing in the United States and foreign-born men of all nationalities and the people generally in the work necessary to be done to convince aliens and others that it is unquestionably to their interest to leave the cities and settle upon the lauds. I hope I may hear a second. Mr. Harris. Mr. Chairman, I have listened very attentively to that, and it seems to me that strikes about the keynote. I therefore second the motion. The CuAii^MAN. What is your pleasure? 30 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. Mr. South. Mr. Chairman, it seems to me that that is rather long to swallow at one dose. There is quite a sentiment throughout this country that inducing further immigration is a bad thing for the country, and I am one of those people who entertain that belief. At any rate, unless we have a better way of straining it and sifting it than has been practiced in this country, it is, in my opinion, a bad thing for the country. There is a reference in the tail end of the resolution, as I caught it, about cooperating with our consuls in foreign countries Mr. Haynes, of Nebraska. No, no. Mr. South. As I say, it is a little long to swallow at one reading. The Chairman. Perhaps Mr. Haynes will give an explanation of those points. Mr. Haynes, of Nebraska. I want to say for the benefit of the gentleman from Arkansas that there is absolutely no idea in this resolution that relates to inducing foreigners to emigrate to the United States. Mr. South. Will the gentleman read that clause where consuls are, referred to? Mr. Haynes, of Nebraska (reading) : Be it resolved further. That this conference would respectfully recommend to the officials of the Division of Information of the United States Bureau of Im- migration the adoption of plans designed to enlist the active cooperation of consular representatives of foreign States residing in the United States and foreign-born men of all nationalities and the people generally in the work necessary to be done to convince aliens and others that it is unquestionably to their interest to leave the cities and settle upon the lands. I may be a little premature in some of this, but it relates to an ad- dress that I shall hope to be able to deliver a little later on the subject. Mr. Denechaud. Mr. Chairman, I would suggest that possibly it would be to the better advantage of this conference that the resolu- tions be received at this time and not acted on until we have heard from other gentlemen present. There may be other resolutions in- troduced, and we can then adopt all the resolutions at one time. It seems to me that we would serve a better purpose if we adopted the resolutions at a later hour to-day or to-morrow. I think that is a better solution of the resolution question. Miss Kellor. Mr. Chairman, I would like to move that a com- mittee of five be appointed as a resolution committee, to which all resolutions might be referred, so that they could be unified and pre- sented at a later time for discussion. The motion was seconded. The Chairman. It will be understood, then, that Mr. Haynes's motion, which was seconded, shall stand over until this committee makes its report ; that is, if this motion is passed. CONFEEENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 31 The question was taken and the motion was carried. The Chairman. How shall that committee be appointed? [Cries of " By the Chair."] The Chair will appoint on that committee Miss Kellor ; Mr. Haynes, of Nebraska ; Mr. Cunningham, of Texas ; Mr. Nelson, of Minnesota ; and Mr. Trenor, of Hawaii. It is now 9 minutes of 12, and before the hour of adjournment comes you should fix the time when you will reassemble when you do adjourn. Mr. Harris. Have we heard from the President yet? The Chairman. Not yet. Mr. McGrew. I am ready to report. The Secretary to the Presi- dent has arranged for this gathering to pay its respects to the Presi- dent in the East Room of the White House at 2.30 o'clock to-morrow (Friday). On motion, duly seconded and carried, the conference thereupon took a recess until 2 o'clock p. m. SECOND SESSION. AFTERNOON OF THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 16, 1911. The conference reassembled at 2 o'clock p. m. Mr. Trenor. Mr. Chairman, I would like to take up a very few moments of the attention of the conference in the reading of a salu- tation from the far-off Territory of Hawaii to this conference. It is very brief. On behalf of the department of immigration, labor, and statistics of the Ter- ritory of Hawaii, which I have the honor to represent, I beg to tender its thanks for the invitation extended to attend this conference. To those who have made a study of our immigration problem, the question of the intelligent distribution of those who have sought our shores has been one of constant Interest and concern. We are, I think, all agreed that conges- tion in our urban centers is bad alike for the immigrant and for the already overcrowded communities. There can be no greater boon than the one that will point the way to the overcoming of this conceded evil. The Division of Information of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization seems admirably adapted for this purpose, and I look with confidence for such results from this conference as shall blaze the path to the desired goal. How widespread the interest was in this question, was manifested in the numerous replies received by me as chairman of the committee on immigration of the national board of trade in 1907, to an inquiry on this very subject. The answers — there were 93 or 94 of them — were embodied in a pamphlet printed by the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization of the House of Representa- tives in March, 1910. The few remaining copies of this document in my posses- sion are at the disposal of such delegates as may wish to read it. Due mainly to what may be termed its geographical isolation, the labor problem has always been one of peculiar difficulty for the Territory of Hawaii. Despite this, no efforts are being spared to secure its much-needed supply. This is particularly true in connection with Caucassian labor, which, at great expense, has been recruited abroad and brought direct to the Territory. Speaking on this subject, the United States Commissioner of Labor, in his Fourth Report on Hawaii (Bulletin No. 94 of the Bureau of Labor of the De- partment of Commerce and Labor, May, 1911), says: "Meantime a bona fide effort is being made by the Territorial government, backed by the large employ- ing interests, to settle a larger proportion of Caucasian workers and settlers in Hawaii. It is doubtful if any large industry on the mainland lias in the past been willing to disregard the economic demand for cheap labor in considera- tion of what are at least partly civic motives in securing more costly labor, to the same extent as have the Hawaiian planters. They are willing, without reserve, to employ all the Caucasian workers the Government can bring to the islands nt a wage one-third larger than they pay for nearly as efficient l^bor brought S3 CONFEEENCE OF STATE ^P'FICIALS. 33 from Asia." A perusal of this very valuable report of the Cgminissioner of Labor will give in detail the results of a careful and thorough investigation of the whole subject, revealing as it does the persistent efforts of the Territory to successfully solve one of its most serious problems. Dangers of desertion in transcontinental shipment prior to embarkation and other causes have hitherto made efforts to secure suitable labor in the United States impracticable. The prospective opening of 'the Panama Canal, with the possibility of direct water communication from the Atlantic seaboard, may open up an avenue of supply from that section of which the Territory will be glad to avail itself. I need hardly assure you, Mr. Chairman, that the proceedings of this confer- ence will be followed with deep and sympathetic interest by the Territorial Department, which at all times will be most happy to contribute as far as may lie in its power to the success of an undertaking in which the well-wishers of our country are so vitally concerned. The Chairman. Miss Kellor asks that the announcement be made that the resolutions committee will be glad to receive any written suggestions from the members of the conference. So the members will be governed accordingly. Mr. Trenor. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask when that resolu- tions committee will meet ? The Chairman. Miss Kellor, the chairman, is not here. Mr. Haynes, the next on the list, I believe, is present. Mr. Nelson is here and Mr. Cunningham is here. Now, in order that the committtee may have enough to work on, there should be some further discussion and other resolutions. I hope that every man who is here, even though he occupies but a minute and a half, will express his views candidly and as concisely as he can, because we want to hear from everyone of you. This is not a place where anybody is going to be choked off or smothered. We want to know what the country thinks. Mr. Denechaud. Mr. Chairman, when I took charge of the posi- tion I now occupy — secretary of the division of immigration of the State of Louisiana — I found that the State of Louisiana and the adjacent States in the South had in the past received a very small number of immigrants. I thought it my business, if possible, to find out why that condition had prevailed. I have embodied those reasons in a little paper that I am going to read, but I want to say that in a large measure those causes which pre stalled in the past do not prevail at present. In discussing the subject, "The best means of establishing cooperation be- tween the Federal Government, through the Division of Information of the Commerce and Labor Department and the other residents of the United States," I will speak on conditions as I find them in my State, Louisiana, and I believe that my observations will apply in a general way to the other States of the South. We need immigration capable of developing the millions of acres of our idle land — lands whose fertility is not surpassed by any in the world. In my State alone we have over 22,000,000 acres of idle lands; barely one-fifth of our 23508°— 12 3 34 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. acreage is now being utilized. On tliis land can be grown a large variety of profitable crops, the cultivation of which will make the farmer independently rich within a few years. These lands are still cheap. Up to the present time we have failed to attract this needed immigration. The reasons for this failure are many. The prevailing idea that the South was entirely given up to negro labor has been one of the main reasons. However, this condition is now passing fast Another reason is that the South has been looked upon as solely a cotton- growing section. People generally of other parts of the world know but little or nothing of this particular crop; now, diversified farming has taken a held in the South, and its lands should be peopled by a class of white farmers who can properly handle these new crops. Another great reason why the South has failed to get its quota of immigration is because she has been backward in making known her great and wonderful advantages. Immigration, as we all know, has been the keynote of western progress and the backbone of all the development in that portion of the country. It has made these States the granaries of the world. The reasons for this tre- mendous influx to and remarkable growth of the Western States were princi- pally low-priced lands, equal chances for all, great forests with a wealth of timber and minerals, and last, but not least, the homestead law, under which any citizen or person on declaring his intention of becoming such could become the possessor of 80 to 160 acres of land by occupation and cultivation upon the payment of a nominal fee. We of the South have all these advantages to offer the immigrant and many more besides. Our lands are most fertile and cheap and our climate mild. We need the population to cultivate these idle millions of acres of land to bring them into usefulness. I find another reason which has operated against the South in the way of securing the better class of immigrants, and that is the commissary-store sys- tem. Tliis plan of dealing with the plantation or farm labor is utterly unsat- isfactory and has gone very much against obtaining and retaining good im- migration in this part of the country, and it is considered by many to be very lit- tle less than a system of peonage. Another reason is that wages paid have not been equal to wages in the North and West, and they fluctuate considerably according to season, whether crops are being gathered or not. This objection, however, is offset by the fact that our climate is less rigorous than in the North and West, and the people living there require less clothing and very little fuel, but the immigrant is not aware of this fact until it is explained to him or he finds it out by liis own experience. Another reason why the South has not obtained its share of foreign immi- gration is that there is now and has been for many years past a close under- standing between the big steamship companies and the transcontinental rail- roads. The steamship companies, by entering the port of New York, concen- trate their business to this one port, making it more economical for them to handle it, and the transcontinental railroads by getting this vast traffic, prac- tically a million people a year, distribute it over their various branch lines and naturally derive more benefit therefrom. To bring about a revision of this matter there must be a great distribution of ships, whether they land at New Orleans, Galveston, Charleston, or some other place where the immigrant can be brought in closer proximity to the land which he is expected to purchase and to cultivate. To bring about a closer cooperation with the Federal Government through the Bureau of Immigration, the South should stand ready to correct such faults as may have in the past tended to retard additional population to her section. CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 35 to properly advertise the great wealth to be found within her borders, her climate and other inducements for the land seeker, and to form a definite immigrant policy through the creation of immigration bureaus which would act in close cooperation with the Federal Division of Information in all matters pertaining to questions of labor supply and demand and the colonization of the vacant land. We should also take pains to inform the immigrant that he is welcome in the South, and when he comes we should see that he is accorded fair treatment. The State immigration oflicials should make it their business to protect in everj- way the alien from the land shark, peonage, and other similar abuse. However, we must keep in mind, if we desire to make any great strides in the immigration movement for the South, to make our ad- vantages of real value, there must be a better distribution of ships bringing innnigraiits to the United States. This section of the country will not get full returns from its efforts, even through the Division of Information, unless the immigrant arrives nearer its doors, thus avoiding much unnecessary delay, cor- respondence, and expense. The Federal Government is now erecting fine new immigration stations at the ports of New Orleans and Galveston, and soon these ports will be as well equipped as New York or any other port of the country to properly handle the incoming stranger in large numbers If the railroads operating though the South could be induced to .ioin in the campaign to induce the steamship companies to patronize the Gulf and South Atlantic ports in carrying on their immigration business, much good could be accomplished. These roads would be immediate beneficiaries by the coming of the immigrant ships to the southern ports. We must also interest the landowner in this work, for to him will also come the benefit of this movement. In conclusion, I will s y that cooperation of the Southern States with the Federal Government, through the Division of Information, has been too long delayed. We need the immigi-ant in the South, for without him our develop- ment will be slow. We must go after the man who tills the soil. Mr. Nugent. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, as immigration com- missioner of West Virginia I have been compelled to look at it on the other side. In fact, at times and very often we have more immi- grants than we can handle, more thrn are beneficial, and they are the means of bringing worse conditions than existed prior to their coming. I am a coal miner, have been a coal miner all my life, and into our State last year, by four companies, were brought 11,600 foreigners, all non-English speaking foreigners, and distributed among the mines throughout our State. In carefully going over the matter I recog- nized the wisdom of this call and told our governor of the necessity for cooperation of the State with the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization to prevent individuals using one to defeat the other — not only, as the Secretary said this morning, by landing them in New York, but by cooperation with the Division of Information, as they declare their intention of going to a certain point, that the Govern- ment see that they buy their tickets and reach their destination. To illustrate: Last year six Englishmen, coal miners, came to our shores. On arriving they were asked the question as to whether they had work. They said yes, undoubtedly they had work — had a good 36 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. job just as soon as they got to Macdonald. They were held for an investigation, and it was necessary — the information came from West Virginia — to show that these men were only in communication with their friends located at the mining town and the company knew nothing about the matter; but the friends, realizing that there was work there for good practical miners, had written them that if they came they could get work. On the other hand, in the city of Baltimore 1,200 Bulgarians landed. They were passed from the dock to a train and the coaches locked. They were all billed and ticketed to Rock, W. Va. An in- vestigation developed that Rock, W. Va., was a country post office. There was not a man employed anywhere around it for miles. Fur- ther investigation showed the fact that the 1,200 Bulgarians, having been furnished their tickets and shipped direct to Rock, W. Va., were distributed among the mines along the Norfolk & Western Railroad. Therefore we recognized the necessity of keeping in touch with the Division of Information, whereby we can make known to them our wants, our crowded conditions, and ask their cooperation in prevent- ing any person using immigrants who come to our shores for the purpose of pulling down the American workman. In connection with the " back to the farm " movement, I brought that matter up with our governor. Our State is not an agricultural State; it is mountainous; but we have 1,000,000 acres of idle land that could be disposed of at a small price and made as valuable as the finest farms in the West to a certain class, namely, for market gardening. In other words, we have 60,000 coal miners scattered through three valleys of our State. None of them raises anything. We have tillable soil there — small farms of 5, 10, or 15 acres — which could be cultivated and made profitable by putting men onto that soil. Our governor suggested this in connection with getting men back to the farms: That it was not just getting a man to the place and putting him off and saying, " There is a farm for you to live on " ; that the individual coming to our country, or the man in our country who has a desire to go back to the farm, should get the assistance of the State and its protection for at least the first year. To illustrate, let me cite my own case: I bought a farm in 1879 when a boy. I had been taught that there was nobody as free as the man who tilled the soil ; that he and he alone was the man who said he could do just as he pleased. I went to Texas. It took me two Aveeks to reach there and three weeks to come back, and I got back where ? To the mines in West Virginia, because it was ready money, and I needed the ready money to maintain myself. Now, what should the States provide for these men? Loans, for instance, at not over 2 per cent, for good American citizens who want to go back to the land. This protection given to the individual who CONFERENCE OP STATE OFFICIALS. 87 has a knowledge of farming but has not the means, this assistance given him to provide for himself and his family during the first year until he can maintain himself and his family, would, I guarantee to you men in States that have large tracts to dispose of, bring you good, valuable citizens that are already in our country. In connection with the other matter, all I desire to say is this, as a working man: A large majority — nine-tenths — in fact, nearly all the men who come to our shores come as unskilled laborers; and unfortunately, while we used to claim that coal mining was a trade, that it required skill, it took a large number of explosions and a large number of lives sacrificed to convince the employers of our country that there was skill in mining coal, and to induce them to protect both the individual life and the companies' property. Un- fortunately, a large number of these men are shipped direct to our shores and as they are dumped on the pier by our Government are taken up by the labor agencies and shipped to places, not where they do the most good but where they do the most harm. We believe in preventing that. Do no injury to any person, but have the Govern- ment go a little further; see that the immigrant is carried to his destination at the cheapest rate possible, and see that the wages and conditions guaranteed to him and reported to your bureau are hon- estly and fairly carried out. I believe this would prevent a great deal of injury to our people who are here and would be of great benefit to the immigrants and undoubtedly beneficial to every State, because any man who is employed in any State will not only benefit himself but benefit every person who resides in the State. Another thing, before I sit down, is this: That in order to bring about a perfect harmony with the national bureau there should be in every State an organization, both of the labor department and the agricultural department, and in connection with that the immigration department, that will keep in close touch with the Division of Infor- mation at the National Capital, to do what? To guarantee all a fair and a square deal, to prevent overcrowding, and to provide for l^roper distribution. That is what we ask, and I believe that will give us what we desire — to get all men who can work, and who are willing to work, to those places where we have the opportunities to give them work. [Applause.] Mr. Trappe. Mr. Chtiirman and gentlemen of the convention, I represent the bureau of labor of Maryland, which is very well known to Mr. Powderly, who, by the way, is a true, good Irishman and a true Republican, while I was born in Germany and am a Democrat. [Applause and laughter.] In our speeches this morning, gentlemen, I have noticed a kind of trend toward paternal care and a disposition on the j^art of the National Government to do something to relieve the different situa- 38 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. tions in the different States. I have prepared a few lines, which I want to read to you, because I am not a speech maker. A coDsnItation of State officials with the authorities of the United States for the purpose of devising ways and means for the betterment of an undesirable condition in certain big ^cities is of vital importance to the welfare and future prosperity of this country, and especially to the farming communities. During several recent trips to Europe and to the Middle West of our own country I have made a comparative study of the labor question and the indus- trial condition and have come to the conclusion that it is high time for the United States to pay more attention to the toiling men and women than to look out for the assistance of corporate interests, which can and which do .look out for themselves. If you glance over the figures in the reports of the Commissioner General of Immigration you will find that the industrious Anglo-Saxon, who helped to build up our great country, has been supplanted by the overflow of population from countries in which the Slavic races predominnte. While I admit that the gates of the United States should always be open to the oppressed, yet we have reached a point in the history of our national life where we are compelled to take steps for the protection of our citizens, and therefore should be pre- pared to draw a line somewhere. I was ordered by my own State to go to Europe and find the reason why we can not get good farm labor or families to occupy our farms, lying idle since the emancipation of the negroes in 1865. Now, what did I find? The excellent advance of education in all European States, supported by wise legislation of the home Government, has produced a tremendous development of industrial enterprises and a high class of intensive farming. The question of supply and demand is carefully considered and regu- lated by the administration, and the subsequent legislation is in conformity with the same. In the northern States of Europe I found that farm labor is at a premium, and as scarce as in our own country. The reason for this I found in the transportation problem. In Germany all railroads are owned by the Government, and the rates are so cheap that all the male population work In the manufacturing establishments of the near-by towns. Most of the farm work is done by the female population in the rural districts. Other factors are good salaries, good roads, and modern transportation vehicles, as bicycles, etc. Somebody said this morning that the wages for farm hands in his State were $2 a day. My own experience is that a man who gets $9 a week thinks he is getting a good salary ; but I found in London, Paris, and Berlin that a man would not work for less than $10 a week, with better conditions surrounding him than here. In looking deeper into the problem of government ownership of railroads I realized that it is the greatest revenue source for the German Government. In our own country it is argued that a government by parties could not do the same thing. That is preposterous, because our civil-service system as applied to the Post Office Department would guard against political abuse. But the greatest obstacle against my attempt to induce good people to come to the State of Maryland lay in the paternal care of European Governments. In Germany the pension system has worked wonders. The old-age pension, though very small, has removed all the poor houses. There are no poorhouses in Germany. A day laborer who gets to be 55 or 60 years old goes to his Government, or to the next station, CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 89 and says : " I am too old ; I have no relatives ; I can not work any more." The Government sends a physician, and his case is investi- gated. If the physician decides that the man is unable to work, the Government says : " You will receive so much pension." The pen- sion is hardly enough to keep body and soul together, but by bringing that money home to his own people and adding it to the little income they have they manage to keep house and keep it well. The accident insurance by the Government has given security to the em- ployees in the industrial concerns, and the comparatively high salaries of the employees, with the assurance of pension in the days of decline, have given a stimulus to everything. And it is in this particular that our rich country is lacliing. Even the new United Republic of China has laid a foundation for its constitution on the protection and security of the income of the humblest coolie and day laborer. I will not go any further into other details, but would make one more point, and that is the burning domestic question. Whenever a business man has a good mechanic he is apt to give him high consideration, and when a family has a good useful house girl she should receive better treatment than a colored girl in the antebellum days. Such a girl is as much a human being as any member of the family. Whenever I tried to secure domestic help in Europe I was ridiculed, because it is linown over there that here a girl has to be at work every day from 5 a. m. -to 11 p. m., and on Sunday, when she has time, everything for recreation of life is at a standstill. I am not criticizing our Puritan Sunday, but crime would be less and the human race would be better off if we had made the same liberal progress on the Sabbath question as in other directions of modern life. Of course, I know that this is purely a matter for the individual States. We are compelled by our State laws to assist the farmers of Maryland in procuring sufficient Irbor, and I have had some experience in this line of work. I must say, however, that such work can and rightly should be carried on by the Division of Information in the United States Department of Commerce and Labor. And the work should receive at least as much attention as the work in the Bureau of Animal Industry. I now wii^h to make some suggestions which I think should receive the ap- proval of some of you gentlemen. In the first place, the Congress should authorize the President of the United States to appoint a paid commission of five mem.hers to draft a law for the improveiiieut of the condition of the working classes or masses, with due re- gard to the congestion of people in large cities, and for this purpose take testi- mony in each State of the Union in order to satisfy the conditions in all sections of this country. The report and recommendations should be printed and submitted to the Department of Commerce and Labor. Secondly, the Department of Commerce and I^abor should authorize the Division of Information to open an office in each city of over 10,000 inhabitants, where employer and employee could apply for information, such as was estab- lished some years ago in Baltimore. Such offices should be located in private quarters in the business section and not in an office building of the United States, as persons of both classes are averse to going into such buildings, and, furthermore, the applicants for work should not interfere with other public business. 40 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. We had that office in the customhouse building in Baltimore, and when a farmer came along and saw those fine marble pillars he hesitated to go in [laughter] ; and when, driven by hunger and ex- posure to cold weather, some of these men did pass those fine marble pillars, it interfered, of course, with the public business. The re- sult was that that office was abolished, because it was opened in a United States building. [Reading:] There should be snflacient rooms for all classes of people, male and female. We often have people come in who have no homes and don't know where to stop. We can keep them there for an hour or two, three hours, or a day, and when the man comes for them he can take them away. The details as well as the rules and regulations for such offices should be worked out by an experienced man in the department. All such offices should keep on file descriptions of land and opportunities in the different Srates where State officers are willing and ready to furnish such information for landseekers free of charge. That work could be carried on in conjunction with some other offices. We have everything ready at a moment's notice, and, if any of you gentlemen wish a good climate, a fine farm, the best social conditions, near-by markets, and the nearest approach to the Garden of Eden, please come to Maryland. Those, Mr. Chairman, are my recommendations. [Applause.] If any gentleman desires to ask me any questions about Germany, about Holland, or about European conditions generally, I am ready to answer ; also about the conditions in Maryland. Mr. Tkenor. I wish you would send some of those to help us along in our work in New York State. Mr. Kracke. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the gentleman what he means about the Government regulation of supply and demand. Mr. Trappe. Suppose the bureau of information has an office in the city of New York and has on its list, say, 10,000 people. Sup- pose the office in Idaho or Kansas or Nebraska needs 10,000 men. They could apply to the New York office or to the Washington office and that office could direct those men and see that they got there — to Kansas, Idaho, or wherever it was necessary. Mr. Brown, of New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, I would like to say a few words. I represent the State Board of Agriculture of the Gar- den State of New Jersey. I have been a farmer all my life and my ancestors for more than 200 years were farmers. I want to state briefly the conditions in regard to labor and immigration in our State as I see them. CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 41 We are np against two propositions in our State — a lack of trained labor for the farm and sometimes the lack of a price for the product that would warrant us in keeping the trained labor. We can get at times sufficient untrained labor, but we have not the trained labor necessary to plant and cultivate the crops. You take the labor that is offered to us and there is not one in ten of those men that can work a horse after a few months' instruction. In these days in order to successfully grow the crops to feed the people it is necessary that a certain portion of the men should know how to work horses and have a knowledge of machinery ; otherwise we are at a great disadvantage. I was much impressed by the talk of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor this morning, and especially by his reference to the con- tract-labor law. We want immigrants who know something. We want specialists, and I have always thought that the contract-labor law kept out the very men who were the most desirable. Just think of it for a minute. A man who has the knowledge and can get a job — who has got it — can not land; the man who don't know and comes here without any idea where he is going, I consider that he is a great deal worse competitor in the matter of wages than the man who has the job. Now, then, I think that the main point in regard to this distribu- tion of immigrants is that men coming from the farms in the old country should be directed to farms in this country, and that men who have other avocations in the old country should be taken care of in the same way, because it certainly is a fact that a man who can not speak our language and who has never been on a farm is abso- lutely worthless in the majority of instances. The proper work of this department, as I see it, is to seek out men from farming districts and put them on the farms in this country. I think they can do a great work in that line. Talking about trained workers, we in New Jersey are training up our boys and young men from the farms in a knowledge of agri- culture. We have our experiment station, we have our short course in agriculture, and a large percentage of our boys are remaining on the farms. They are getting the information, but it is necessary that Ave have a certain portion of trained men to help them out. I thank you. [Applause.] Mr. McLaughlin. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I am represent- ing in this conference the State of California. The title of the office to which I have been recently appointed is that of commissioner of the bureau of labor statistics. At the outset, let me state, that in California I believe we have a situation different from any I have heard described here to-day. California, until recently, has been a State of large land holdings, due to the fact that when the United 42 MSTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. States acquired its western possessions it recognized as valid the Spanish land grants. These land grants, of which there were abfout 600, contained immense areas. When agriculture succeeded gold min- ing, some of the owners turned to cultivating these lands, while others held them, and are still holding them, until such time as they shall be divided up into small farms. This led to two problems that have confronted the people of California for the past 30 or 40 years. The former called for a large amount of cheap labor, while the latter prevented the American farmer from the Eastern States and the European immigrant agriculturists from obtaining small acreages at reasonable prices. The influx of the Chinese after the Burlingame treaty gave the farmers the cheap labor they desired, and I believe it was about the cheapest labor that could be obtained at that time. The cheapness of this labor, the high quality of the products raised, and the successful sale of same increased the land values of these farms and also those land grants that were being held until the price of both had risen to such a point in many sections of the State that it was practically impossible for the average man to go into the business of farming. Then came the exclusion of the Chinese and the subsequent demand for some other labor to take his place. The Japanese became the successor of the Chinese in farm labor, but let it be understood at this time that the people of the State of California did not desire the Japanese, but were compelled to accept him in lieu of any other. Probably the most important point in farming in California, and the one I desire to call your particular attention to, is that it is highly specialized. It was early demonstrated that certain crops could be grown to great advantage in certain localities, with the result that practically everybody in that locality went into the raising of that particular crop, thus calling for a large amount of labor during the season when such crop was harvested. This condition accounts for the employment of the Japanese. The Japanese is a migratory laborer, whereas the white man seeks to live where he works. The Japanese who is picking cherries in Vaca Valley (which is in the northern part of the State), say, in May, will follow the different seasons and crops until he is picking oranges in the southern part of of the State (over 500 miles away) during the months of December and January. The Japanese are under a directorate that simply shifts them from place to place and from crop to crop, with the result that they obtain a maximum amount of employment during the ye^r. Of course there are certain classes of work which are distasteful to the white man and to which the Japanese is adapted, namely, those which must be performed in a stooping or squatting position, such as picking berries, cutting asparagus, etc. No alien race has supplanted the white man in our grain fields. Even on land owned and operated OONFBBENOB OF STATE OFFICIALS. 43 by Japanese the white man handles the horses and does the culti- vating, but the balance of the work is done by the Japanese. In the past year California has come face to face with a new problem; that is, the replacement of the Japanese. Since the adop- tion of the agreement between the United States and Japan in 1907, the Japanese laborer has to some extent remained away temporarily from our shore and the number of Japanese farm laborers has dimin- ished. We must now look to Europe to obtain our supply of farm labor. We have already started to solve this question by the em- ployment of Greeks. Thousands of Greeks have come to Califor- nia in recent years to be employed in railroad construction work, but owing to lack of this class of work during the past year and dissatis- faction of conditions under which they were laboring, they were induced to take up agricultural work, principally grape picking. In the early part of this year a shortage of help was reported in the Fresno grape district. In many instances Japanese contractors an- nounced that they could not fulfill their contracts for the picking of grapes, owing to their failure to obtain a sufficient number of their own countrymen. Through the efforts of a society into which the Greeks have been recently organized, and who have established a free employment agency in the city of Fresno, about 2,000 Greek laborers were brought into the Fresno district and picked a large part of the crop. Even some of the Japanese employed these Greeks. From re- ports received so far the Greeks have proven satisfactory and have been a positive influence in driving the Japanese out of this district. The shortage of help for the harvest has been universal throughout the State. Just before my leaving I called upon an agency in Sac- ramento representing the same Greek organization and requested them to send 200 to 300 men into Butte County for the purpose of picking oranges, as I had heard of a shortage of labor in that vicinity. An important point regarding white farm labor in California is that they are not shown the respect that, in my estimation, is due them. This is accounted for largely by the fact that the short period of time they work on any one farm does not seem to justify the owner in providing accommodations for them, with the result that they are required to carry their blankets on their backs and use the sky for a roof. This condition is not conducive to the development of a good class of farm labor, but rather to a class of " hoboes.'' For six months of the year they have the sheriff chasing them out of town for refus- ing to work, and the other six months they get chased out of town for a king for work. Personally, I sympathize with the man who is migrating from place to nlace, som.etimes looking for work and at other times trying to dodge the tax collector or the sheriff. Perhaps I can not help that, owing to the fact that my life has been spent in close contact with the man who toils. 44 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. The opening of the Panama Canal will probably solve the farm- labor problem in California, but at the same time will place us on guard against the possible influx of undesirable immigrants from southern Europe, Asia Minor, and Africa. For an additional cost of from $7.60 to $10 the immigrants that are now pouring into New York will be landed in San Francisco. California wants immigrants to cultivate its soil, but it wants the good sturdy peasants of Europe, not the people from seaport towns who bring with them all their vices and no virtues and who congregate in our large cities and form colonies in which they maintain their own habits and customs, and are a continual source of annoyance to our police departments. But I realize that in order to obtain the class of immigrants 1 describe it will be necessary for us to look after their interests upon their landing on our shores. We have no bureau of immigration in Cali- fornia. At the last session of the legislature a bill was introduced providing for a free employment bureau, but owing to the fact that it did not carry with it an appropriation the governor did not see fit to sign it. However, we have hopes that it will be provided for by the next legislature, and I know the governor is inclined to favor it as an experiment. A free employment bureau would be of in- valuable assistance in securing work upon the farms of our State for the incoming immigrants. An effort should be made, however, to have the immigrants arrive during the months of the harvest — say, from May to August. It would then be a comparatively easy task to secure employment for them in the agricultural and horti- cultural districts. The immigrants once placed in the fields, the question would solve itself. The industrious immigrant could ac- quire a small farm in a few years under the proper schemes of colonization, which are now under way, dividing up the large land holdings of our State. These people in turn would develop an agri- cultural community, which in time would solve the farm-labor problem, with the adoption of a scheme of varied crops within cer- tain localities and the gradual doing away with high specialization. But if the immigrants arrive after the harvest they will associate with their own countrymen in the large cities, with the result that after being there for six or eight months it will be practically im- possible to place them upon the farm^. Once given a taste of city life they would never turn to agricultural pursuits. I believe this is the experience of all the large eastern ports of entry. My bureau, I am satisfied, is willing in every way possible to give you all the information that can be had and to lend any and every assistance possible to this division. I believe myself, though along lines suggested by my friend, Mr. Nugent, that without the Govern- ment or State lending first aid to these people as they arrive— some- thing to sustain them at least for the first year to get them estab- CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 45 lished — it will be almost useless to send them out for a month or two where they meet the conditions that I have related and then let them go back into the city and throw them on the hands of the municipality. At this time of the year they come from all over the State of California into the city of San Francisco. We have a large county hospital and an almshouse there, and the inhabitants of these in- stitutions jump 700 or 800 as soon as the winter months come on. Possibly San Francisco is better situated in that respect than some other cities, but such is the case, and they all come that way. I might add further that I am one who believes in restricting im- migrants to a certain extent. Mr. Gompers, in his report at the last convention of the American Federation of Labor, had this to say regarding immigration: The Sixty-first Congress, during the short session, refused to take up for con- sideration the immigration bill requiring an educational test for immigrants, by Mr. Gardner, of Massachusetts, which had been placed on the discharge committee calendar in the previous session, and it refused to take up for con- sideration the bill of Mr. Hayes, of California, introduced by him for the pur- pose of obtaining legislation excluding Asiatic immigrants. The commission appointed by the Fifty-ninth Congress, February 29, 1907, to inquire into the general subject matter of immigration, made its final report to Congress December 5, 1910. The commission recommended several methods of restricting immigrants, among which were: (1) The exclusion of those unable to read or write in some language. (2) The reduction of the number of each race arriving each year to a certain percentage of the average of that race arriving during a given period of years. (3) The exclusion of unskilled laborers unaccompanied by wives or families. (4) The limitation of the number of immigrants arriving annually at any port. (5) Material increase in the amount of money required to be in the posses- sion of the immigrant at the port of arrival. (6) Material increase of the head tax. (7) The levying of the head tax so as to make a marked discrimination in favor of men with families. Now, any of these points, I believe, would be drawing a line that could properly be exercised, because, as it stands at present, a great many of the larger corporations are bringing immigrants into this country and treating them as nothing more than common slaves. Those of us who have been around know that condition, and God for- bid that it be allowed to continue, because I can foresee to what it is going to lead. In speaking of migratory laborers, President Gompers has this to say, and there is a good deal of truth in it, as I think you will agree : Resolutions 44 and 86 of the St. Louis convention, relating to migcatory laborers, was referred by it to the executive council. By reason of my then contemplated visit to the Pacific Coast States, the executive council referred the subject matter to me for investigation. I have seen and spoken with some of the migratory laborers and their spokesmen, and held prolonged conferences 46 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. with the representative labor men of the Pacific const who have driven this sub- ject of migratory and casual labor their closest observation, and the following is the result of my investigations, with the recommendations I submit for your consideration and action. The lot of the migratory laborer in the United States to-day is in some points worse than slavery. The slave was at least sufficiently well nourished to enable him to perform his allotted tasks. He was assured of a shelter, and. in case of illness, of as much care as a thrifty farn*er will give to his horse or other domestic animals. But the very large proportion of unskilled or casual workers who at the present time usually find employment only on short jobs or at season work suffer a precarious existence. As they move from place to place they often go hungry, and while at work their food is usually of a poor quality, ill pre- pared. Many of them do not earn enough to establish a home or to pay for medical attendance when sick or suffering from accidents. The character of much of the work performed in the United States does not permit of the steady employment of a regular body of men. Railroad extension work, the construc- tion of bridges and highways, much work in lumbering, waterway, canal, and drainage, and in the building trades, which are mostly carried on in the less inclement seasons of the year, are characterized by idleness for months together of tens of thousands of men. In agriculture large bo an acre. It costs but $22 to file on an entire half section of land like this in Utah and about the same amount when final proof is made. In some irri- gated sections of the State my office has records showing a yield of 19 bushels of alfalfa seed to the acre this year. The average yield is between 7 and 9. 110 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. This sounds very big, but come out to Utah and I will show you the men who have raised that amount per acre, the land upon which it was grown, and a thrashing-machine crew that thrashed it out. Think of $175 taken from an acre of hay land. Think of hay worth a dollar a forkfull, then think of men who say they are unable to make a living for themselves and families. For from $250 to $500 cash a man may acquire immediate possession of a tract of this sort of land in my State, and make enough off of it each year to maintain himself and those dependent upon him and meet his deferred payments and interest. You men who live in States that are crying " congested population " may tell the people of the opportunities existing in Utah, where the density of population is only 4.5 persons to the square mile. Tell them of the plentiful quantity, the goodness, and the cheapness of the land in Utah. We have five beet-sugar factories in the State that will this year produce 125,000,000 pounds of sugar. It is undisputed that Utah raises more tons of sugar beets to ih(^ acre that contain a higher percentage of saccharine matter than any o; State in the Union. We want more beet raisers, a great many more; moie dairymen; more honey raisers; more pork and other live-stock raisers. All of these industries are great dividend producers in the Beehive State. Social conditions are ideal. The State was first settled by a hard-toiling class of pioneers, many of whom were foreign bom, and of whom many are yet living. Both they and their children extend a cordial hand of welcome to all comers who are industrious and law abiding. Social and educational conditions are most excellent. Statistics show that there is no healthier State in the Union than Utah. I thank you. [Applause.] Mr. Brown, of New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, about 40 years ago I had an uncle, one of these pioneers that this gentleman spoke of, who went into what was then known on the map as the Great American Desert and helped found the city of Salt Lake. They hauled their provisions 600 miles in wagons for a year and a half until they could get the water down from the mountains. Now the gentleman shows you that it is a wonderful producing section. Mr. Haines, of Utah. If I had plenty of time I could tell you lots of interesting things about Utah. Mr. Bkown, of New Jersey. Now, what we want is a better under- standing between the States and the Federal Government and a bet- ter understanding between the departments of agriculture, immi- gration, and labor in the several States. Not only do we need these men on the farms, on the land, but they need the information to en- able them to stay on that land. The gentleman has said that they grow great crops of wheat and fruit in Utah. Now, in New Jersey wheat is a thing of the past; cattle raising is a thing of the past; dairying is fast going the same way. We have to take up something that can be made profitable in our section. Now, then, I take it that one of the needs of this conference is to show the people who are going on the land where they can go to be successful. You do not want a wheat man in a truck country, or a truck man in a wheat country, and so on. These are practical things that should be taken CONFERENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. Ill up in this connection. Not only do we want the men to go out on the land, but they must be men who can make good. [Applause.] Mr. Webb. Mr. Chairman, although Delaware is not usually recog- nized as the largest State in the Union [laughter], the delegation from Delaware is perhaps the largest delegation here; but we have not very far to come, and we came over to learn. I want to say that the delegation is very much pleased that a call of this kind was made and very much pleased with the outcome of this conference ; and we shall go back with the feeling that the time has been exceedingly well spent. Delaware, while small, is still large enough to hold a good many more people than we have. Our farmers still want more farm hands. They can use them to an advantage and to a profit. Moreover, we have undelevoped lands, strange as that may seem — a little State, right close to the largest centers of population; that is, where the congested population of the United States is — with good land still unused; but that is a fact. And we have also a man in the State who is large enough to build a road — not a macadam road, but a bitholithic pavement, 30 feet wide and a hundred miles long, costing $2,000,000; and we expect our farmers, who are prosperous, to slip up to New York City in their automobiles and bring their farm la- borers down. So we consider that we are in a position, with the cooperation that we shall receive through the correlation of the immigration officials and other forces, to greatly benefit our State. Mr. Daniels. Mr. Chairman, the nominations committee is ready to submit its report, if so desired. The nominations committee recommends that there be an executive committee of nine, consisting of an honorary president, a president, a vice president, a treasurer, a secretary, and four other members. It was the unanimous sentiment of the committee that if it were not for the fact that it might embarrass him, on account of his offi- cial position, Mr. Powderly would be the common choice for presi- dent. It was, however, the feeling of the committee that it probably would embarrass Mr. Powderly to be the active president of this organization; but the committee voted to use every possible per- suasion, and to recommend that you use every possible persuasion, to get him to lend the weight of his influence and name to this work by accepting the honorary presidency. Therefore the officers that it recommends are as follows: For honorary president, Hon. T. V. Powderly. For president. Prof. John R. Commons, of the Industrial Com- mission of Wisconsin. For vice president, Mr. A. P. Sandles, Secretary of Agriculture of Ohio. 112 DISTEIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHERS. For treasurer, Mr. Charles F. Gettemy, Chief of the Bureau of Sta- tistics of Massachusetts. For secretary, Miss Frances A. Kellor, of the Bureau of Industries and Immigration of New York State. For the other four members of the committee, Mr. J. F. Dene- chaud, secretary of the State Board of Immigration of Louisiana; Mr. J. B. Haynes, special State commissioner from Nebraska; Mr. Robert N. Lynch, general manager of the California Develoj)ment Board; Mr. Raymond A. Pearson, commissioner of agriculture of the State of New York. Mr. Cunningham. Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a point of inquiry as to Mr. Lynch. Would he not have to present his creden- tials from the governor before he would be eligible for membership on the board? The Chairman. The Chair would rule that he is here now and eligible. [Applause.] And inasmuch as he is eligible to this con- vention as a delegate — these officers, you know, will carry over to next year, when a further determination can be made. Mr. McLaughlin. Mr. Lynch, I believe, has credentials from the governor of California to act as commissioner on his recent trip to Europe. Mr. Packer. Mr. Chairman, I move that the report of the com- mittee be accepted. The motion was seconded. The Chairman. You have heard the motion that the report of the committee be accepted. May I say a word before you act upon it? I do not know whether there is any salary attached to that office of honorary president [laughter] Mr. Daniels. There ought to be a very large one. The Chairman. I do not want to accept any, anyhow. I do not know whether it would be agreeable to the Secretary for me to act or not. I do not know anything about that; this is so entirely new. As the lady said when she had been courted for 50 years and finally proposed to, " This is so sudden." [Laughter.] I do not know whether it would be the right thing or not for me to accept it. I see no impropriety in it, so far as I am personally concerned. Mr. Ross. That settles it. The Chairman. But I do not know how the Secretary will feel about it. However, I will accept it on the condition that if the Sec- retary does not permit it I will notify you and you can select some one else. The question was taken, and the motion was agreed to. The Chairman. What is your further pleasure? I suppose I ought to make a speech of acceptance. Mr. Ross. Sure. CONFEEENCE OF STATE OFFICIALS. 113 The Chairman. Well, I accept. I generally limit my speeches to so much when I can get out of making a longer one. A Delegate. Mr. Chairman, my recollection is that the motion was that the committee report be received. If we have not adopted it, l^t ug have the motion corrected. The Chairman. If there is no objection it will be understood that it is received and adopted. I want to say that in A^our selection of an active president the word " active " fits in exactly. He is that all over. I have known of him and of his work for many years; modesty on my part would not prevent me from telling you how many years, but in deference to your wishes, which have not been expressed to me, I will not say how long. I will say that a more capable man, or one more thoroughly in earnest and persevering in his efforts you could not find than Mr- Commons. Mr. Cunningham. I want to indicate, Mr. Chairman, by reading a telegram I have just received from the governor of Texas, that there is some sentiment down there in favor of cooperation. I ex- plained yesterday the peculiar predicament we are in, and. that pos- sibly, in order to establish an immigration bureau, an amendment to the State constitution might have to be submitted by the legislature The commissioner of agriculture wired me yesterday saying that he was willing to lend his hearty cooperation as soon as he was per- mitted to, and I have just received this telegram from the governor, which does not bear on the real purpose of this conference, but indi- cates that he is interested: Austin Cunningham (Care of Conference of State Immigration OflScials). Answering your letter of November 11, Texas has many thousand iudustrlons and prosperous German, Swedish, Norwegian, and Bohemian farmers. We would like to welcome many thousand more such as we already have, an^ j;qi| can express this as my view to the conference. O. B. Colquitt, Oovernot' - Mr. Haines, of Utah. Mr. Chairman, there is just one question I would like to ask you. Is it your opinion that the future conferences of this conference will necessarily have to be held in Washington ? The Chairman. That is for the body to decide. Not necessarily, of course. Mr. Haines, of Utah. Before I left Salt Lake I had a conference with the governor and the commercial bodies, and they urged me, ii it was possible, to get the next conference in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City is a great conference city. There are a great many things of interest there that everybody, especially in the East, would like to see; and if through any possible arrangement we could have the next conference held in Salt Lake City I will assure you you wiU get a splendid welcome and a good time. "23508*— 12— 8 ■ 114 DISTRIBUTION OF ADMITTED ALIENS AND OTHEBS. Mr. Harris. Shall we take any action in regard to the meeting of the next conference? How will that be disposed of? The Chairman. I do not know whether the committee considered that or not. Mr. Kracke. Mr. Chairman, in order to bring the matter officially before the conference, I move that the matter of the selection of the place for the next conference be left with the executive committee. The motion was seconded. Miss Kellob. Mr. Chairman, that is wholly nnnecessary, as the first resolution says that there shall be appointed an executive com- mittee with full power. The Chairman. Well, we will let the motion go through any- way and that will clinch it. The question was taken, and the motion was agreed to. The Chairman. What is your further pleasure? Miss Kellor. Mr. Chairman, before adjournment, the resolutions committee has another resolution, which I will read : Resolved, That the members of the present conference express to Mr. Powderly, the honorable Chief of the Federal Division of Information of the Bureau of Immigation, Department of Commerce and Labor, their gratitude to him for calling them together and their appreciation of the admirable and effective manner in which he has presided at the sessions of this conference. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the resolution was adopted by a rising vote. Mr. Trenor. Mr. Chairman, I move we adjourn unless there is some further business to come before the conference. The Chairman. I would ask the members riot to adjourn yet. You remember you have an appointment with the President at 2.30, and a better way of getting to him in a body I can not think of than to have you meet here ; because, if you meet anywhere else, you will come in straggling one by one, and you may not get there. It doesn't make any difference what your politics or religion may be ; I know you all want to shake hands with the President of the United States, and he is so anxious to shake hands with you [laughter] that I hope you won't disappoint him, Mr. Trenor. We will meet here at 2 o'clock, I suppose? The Chairman. Yes ; meet here at 2 o'clock. Now, just a moment. This is entirely foreign to the subject, but, being of Irish " per cent," I take the liberty occasionally of going outside of the ordinary, and have always been forgiven for it. At least, I have not heard anything to the contraiy. I want to tell you about this little gavel which I have in my hand. I am " stuck " on that. I made it in 1872, before the great majority of you were born. It presided over a meeting of the Machinists and Blacksmiths' Inter- national Union, of which I was a member in 1872, in Albany, and afterwards was used in other organizations. It was used by me in CONFERENCE OP STATE OFFICIALS. 115 every convention of the Knights of Labor from the beginning up to 1893, when I resigned. It was, in 1886, taken to England by a dele- gate who used it in presiding over the Window Glass Workers' Asso- ciation of the World. While over there a meeting was held in Man- chester, at which Mr. Gladstone presided, and, though they use a bell over there to regulate meetings, he, in compliance with the wishes of the American delegate, used this gavel. John Bright used it, Charles Bradlaugh, Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Davitt, and I sent it to Milan, in Italy, where Louis Kossuth was living at the time, and though totally blind he tapped the table ; I sent with it a little Ameri- can flag for him, and he signed the letter of thanks for the little gift and told me he took much pleasure in using this gavel in tapping the table in front of him. Every President, from and including Mr. Hayes to Mr. Roosevelt, used the gavel, and I am going this afternoon to ask the President to hold it in his hand for a little while. Now, the men who have handled it — I could not tell you their names; they are in«umerable — but there were two women. I think you have got, without my saying it, an idea that I am something of a woman's rights man, because I appointed a woman chairman of that committee yesterday, the first committee on resolutions. [Ap- plause.] ' Mr. Ross. Also in accordance with the platform of the Knights of Labor. The Chairman. That is true ; it recognized no distinction between the rights of the sexes. Frances Willard — some of you are Prohibi- tionists, some are not, but even those who are not admired her because of her sterling qualities — used it on many an occasion, and Susan B. Anthony also used it. [Applause.] I could go on for an hour tell- ing you all the people who did use it, but I shall esteem it still more highly because I was enabled to use it in presiding over the first con- ference of, to my mind, the greatest force in the United States to-day for its betterment ; because out of this will grow some of the greatest things that you can imagine in building up our country and making our people better understand the men and women who come to us, and their need for proper instruction and proper care after they get to us. So, with this little history of the gavel, I shall await your pleasure. Mr. Trenor. I move we adjourn, to meet here at 2 o'clock. The motion was duly seconded and carried. Accordingly, at 11.55 a. m., the conference adjourned. 452 ;!^ fi \ LOAN PERIOD 1 Home Use 2 3 4 5 6 ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS. Renewals and Recharges may be made 4 days prior to the due date. Books may be renewed by calling 642-3405. DUE AS STAMPED BELOW. MAR 2 5 2006 \. FORM NO. DD6 50M 1-05 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Berkeley, California 94720-6000 J^\ r X \. /