ence between the old immigration and the new is quite noteworthy, altho not so great as in some other respects, 71.3 per cent. of the returning immigrants of die old immigration, of the years 1908 to 1910 inclusive, being of those immigrants who have been in this country five years or less, while 83 per cent. of the new immigration had been in this country during that brief time.

The distinction of the sexes also is noteworthy, emphasizing again the fact that it is among the newer immigrants that we find by far the largest proportion of those workers who come here without their families, with the intention of enduring the hardships of toil for a season and then returning to Europe for their place of permanent abode. Among returning immi-1 grants of the old immigration 63.6 per cent. were males, whereas of those of the new immigration not less than 85.4 per cent. were males. It seems that of all the immigrants now coming into this country about one-third return to Europe, and it seems also reasonably clear that approximately two-thirds of all those who return to Europe remain there. This migratory tendency, of the new immigration especially, has doubtless a most important influence upon the difficulty of assimilation of the immigrants into the great body of American citizens, and is a factor that should not be overlooked in estimating the influence of the different races upon our country, and the results thereof upon our people.

Probably the large majority of the immigrants from Europe who later return thither leave in this country, as the result of their toil, an increase of wealth considerably greater than that which they take with them, as the result of their savings, for investment in their

home country. From the point of view solely of immediate economic gain our country has been profited by their coming. On the other hand, this profit is much greater in the case of a man of the same degre of productivity, provided he takes an interest in this country, invests his savings here, becomes identified. with our institutions, and, expecting this to be the permanent home of himself and his children, plans. his work and directs his hopes so as to bring about the best results for the future. In any attempt to make a distinction between the various races of immigrants or the various classes industrially, this factor of permanency should be considered a very important one. Naturally, aside from the question as to the physical or mental or moral qualities of the persons involved, their purpose modifies profoundly the results of their residence here.

ABILITY TO SPEAK ENGLISH

Naturally the ease with which people adapt themselves to American institutions will depend largely upon the readiness with which they master the English language and the likeness of their home institutions to ours. For these reasons the immigrants of the old immigration-especially, of course, those from Great Britain, Ireland, and the British colonies-have a decided advantage.

The Need of a Detailed Study

So important are all these characteristics, as well as some others, that detailed consideration must be given to them in order to see how far the different races have adapted themselves to American ways, and what further measures need to be taken. This is attempted in the subsequent discussion.

IV

SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF RECENT IMMIGRATION

Difficulty of Special Studies

Many persons who have spoken and written of late years in favor of restriction of immigration, have laid great stress upon the evils to society arising from immigration. They have claimed that disease, pauperism, crime and vice have been greatly increased through the incoming of the immigrants. Perhaps no other phase of the question has aroused so keen feeling, and yet perhaps on no other phase of the question has there been so little accurate information.

It is doubtful whether the increased number of convictions for crime are found because more crimes are committed, or because our courts and the police are more active. It is probable that we hear more of vice and immorality in these late days, not because they are on the increase, but because people's consciences have become more sensitive, and in consequence greater efforts are made to suppress them.

It is certain that the injurious effect of most contagious diseases has been very greatly lessened, and yet it is probable that we hear more regarding contagious diseases now than ever before because we have become more watchful.

The data regarding contagious diseases, pauperism, and crime, in connection with the immigrants, are extremely meager and unsatisfactory; but the Immigration Commission made the best use possible of

such data as exist, and it was able to institute a number of inquiries which, tho limited in extent, nevertheless have served to throw some light upon the relation of immigration to these various social problems. Altho it seems probable that the injurious social effects of immigration have been greatly exaggerated in the minds of many persons, nevertheless it would be practically impossible to exaggerate the social importance that might attach to immigration under certain conditions. History and observation afford numberless examples.

It is a generally accepted fact that, up to the time of the visitation of the Pacific Islands by diseased sailors from Europe in the early part of the last century, venereal diseases, as known in Europe and America, did not exist in those islands, and that their introduction by only a few sailors was largely responsible for the ravages of these terrible diseases, unchecked by any medical knowledge, that swept away in many instances a large proportion of the entire population.

The entrance of an evil-minded man into a village community, or one or two foul-minded boys into a school, is often enough to affect materially the entire tone of the school or community. It is important, therefore, that as careful consideration as possible be given to these questions that have been so emphasized, and that rigid measures be taken to check whatever evils may have arisen.

Legislation*

In earlier days neither the Federal Government nor State governments had passed any laws to protect the

* Cf. for details, reports of Immigration Commission, Vol. 39; also Chapter XVI,

United States against the immigration of undesirable persons of whatever kind. Even the energetic action of those promoting the so-called "Native American" or "Know Nothing" movements, from 1835 to 1860, resulted in no protective legislation. Indeed, these movements were largely based on opposition to the immigration of Catholics rather than to that of persons undesirable for other reasons. In 1836 the Secretary of State was requested to collect information respecting the immigration of foreign paupers and criminals. In 1838 the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives was instructed to consider the expediency of providing by law against the introduction into the United States of vagabonds and paupers deported from foreign countries. Moreover, a bill, presented on the recommendation of the Committee, proposed a fine of $1,000, or imprisonment for from one to three years, for any master who took on board his vessel, with the intention of transporting to the United States, any alien passenger, who was an idiot, lunatic, one afflicted with any incurable disease, or one convicted of an infamous crime. The bill, however, was not considered. The early "Native American" movement had been local, confined to New York City at first, afterward spreading to Philadelphia, but in 1852 the secret oath-bound organization that took the name of the American Party, the members of which were popularly called the Know Nothings, came into national politics, and for a few years exerted not a little power, carrying nine State elections in 1855. Later, in something of a reaction against this "Know Nothing" movement, which finally proposed only the exclusion of foreign paupers and criminals, there was a definite effort made to encourage immigration.