church membership roll of a local native Protestant church. The work among other races has been less successful. Efforts have been made of both a religious and a social nature among the Slovaks without success. The sewing school for women has been discontinued and the woman missionary removed. These constitute practically all of the missionary work done by Protestant native churches. They give as the obstacles to any work of this kind, first, the strong opposing influence of the priests, and, second, the segregation of the immigrants in the foreign sections, and claim that any endeavor to carry on work of even an industrial or social character is effectually blocked.

The Young Men's Christian Association of Community A has for the past few years made efforts to do work of a purely secular character among the immigrant races. Its work has been entirely of an educational nature, namely, night and day classes in the English language. Advertisements are printed in five different languages and distributed among immigrants. All taking these classes are required to pay a membership fee to the association of $2 and a tuition fee of $7.50. There are two classes, one for beginners and another for advanced students, which meet for two hours twice a week for six months, beginning in October of each year. Three male native teachers are employed. In 1907, 69 men were enrolled in these classes. In addition, one immigrant (Italian) was enrolled in the course in architectural drawing, although all courses are open to immigrants capable of understanding sufficient English.

The courses in English language are designed to stimulate the immigrants to an intelligent understanding of American government and institutions. For example, the reader used in these classes contains selections on citizenship, the meaning of the American flag, outlines of the Government, iron and steel making, etc., what trade unions are trying to do, and the like. In addition, a course of four lessons was given to these classes on "How to become a citizen of the United States." The criticism was made by one of the Young Men's Christian Association officials that the language of these lessons was too difficult, and it is probable that they will be simplified. With what effect the lessons in civics are taught can not be determined. It is stated that no direct results have been seen, but that the members of the classes exhibited considerable interest. In progress in the study of English the Germans were best, the Magyars, Slovaks, and Italians next, and the Poles last.

The general work of the Young Men's Christian Association is aided to a small extent by the leading steel company; also by one of the smaller steel companies. The former company for a number of years contributed small sums, but these have since ceased. None of the contributions from these sources were for work among immigrants especially. The Young Men's Christian Association of another section undertook in 1907 to carry on a similar work, but without success, owing to the opposition of the immigrant churches. Arrangements are being made to employ the editor of the Croatian weekly in the foreign section to teach classes in English among the immigrants with the hope that he may be able to arouse more confidence among them than American teachers can do.

IMMIGRANTS IN BUSINESS.

The growth of a large immigrant population in certain sections of the community either necessitated an expansion of the business already carried on by the natives or called into existence new forms of enterprise. The latter has been the effect largely, because the immigrants are quite separate from the natives, exhibit race clannishness, and exert racial demands for articles of consumption.

It was impracticable to obtain exact data as to the Germans and Irish in business in Community A for the reason that it was impossible to ascertain in many instances whether they were of the "original stock" or of recent immigration. This is true also of the Welsh. Their descendants have become merged with natives to such an extent that only the most careful study of each individual case could establish the proper distinctions. Only two Welsh immigrants are in business, so far as could be ascertained, and they are proprietors of small general stores, but a considerable number of their descendants are engaged in and associated with Americans in business.

Fairly exact data as to the Germans and Irish were obtained in the foreign section, which, as has been noted elsewhere, was originally an exclusively German and Irish immigrant section. In the table given herewith these are included. The table which follows shows the number of immigrants, by race and kind of enterprise, in business in Community A.

TABLE 324.-Number of immigrant business establishments in Community A, by race of proprietor and kind of business.*

a German and Irish business houses in foreign section only are included in this table. NOTE. In addition to the statistics above given there are in adjoining boroughs the following: 13 Syrian small variety and fruit stores, 3 Polish butcher shops, 2 Slovak meat shops, 2 Slovak general stores, 1 Croatian general store (including meat shop), two branches of Slovak steamship agents whose chief offices are in the foreign section, 1 Italian barber shop, and 1 Croatian small store and bakery.

It will be seen that of the recent immigrants the Slovaks show unquestionably the greatest tendency to engage in mercantile pursuits. An analysis of their nearest competitors in number of enterprises, the Italians, will show that nearly half are engaged in conducting small stores (as variety, novelty, and small general merchandise) and fruit stands. The same may be said of the Syrians. The largest single business interests among the immigrants are represented by two Slovaks, while the two largest meat markets and the largest clothing stores are Slovak. On the other hand, the Croatians, while not having a large number of establishments, operate the largest general store, which, however, is partly controlled by a Servian. The Hungarian Hebrews have the largest number of clothing houses, by far the largest bank, and a wholesale liquor establishment. The Servians, with the exception of one man who controls several Croatian interests, do not figure to any great extent, while the Macedonians practically show no business enterprise.

About two-thirds of the business establishments among southern and eastern European races are in the foreign section. The 29 Italian establishments are in the native section of the city with the exception of 6 groceries and 1 fruit stand in the Italian colony. Twentysix of the establishments conducted by other southern European immigrants are in the native section, among which are 6 Slovak groceries and meat shops, 2 Slovak stores, 3 Syrian fruit stands, 3 Polish groceries, 2 Hungarian Hebrew stores, the others being scattered among the various races. The Russian Hebrews have their own butcher shop in the native section of the city as well as a grocery and two tailoring establishments.

Employees of immigrant business establishments are, with very few exceptions, of the same race as the proprietors. Instances have been found where a Roumanian barber was employed by a Magyar, and a Macedonian cobbler by a Magyar shoe-repair shop. In some instances Slovaks and Magyars lease stores, saloons, and other properties from owners of other races, but they are not employed by the

owners.

The fact that there are few mercantile establishments operated by immigrants equal in age to those operated by natives makes an exact comparison of business methods impossible. The general methods at stores, however, may be compared with regard to the following points: Stock carried.-It should be noted that the stock carried by immigrant stores is of a more general character than that of native establishments. There is as a result less evidence of the principle of division of labor as applied to the former. The immigrant stores are of several kinds: Grocery, meat, fruit, jewelers, novelties, clothing, and in many instances a combination of two or more of these known as "variety" or "general stores." The smaller the community the more general is the nature of the stock carried. Another fact with reference to the articles sold in immigrant stores is that as a rule they are of a cheaper quality than those sold in native stores. It has been frequently noted, for example, that when an immigrant wishes to purchase a good suit of clothes he patronizes an American store. Finally, the stock carried by immigrant merchants is more or less adapted to the peculiar needs of the immigrant consumers. examination of a general store, for example, would reveal a compara

An

tively large stock of brightly colored cloth, handkerchiefs, miners' supplies, etc.; rough shoes and clothing for workingmen; religious pictures; small personal articles, such as tobacco, pipes, etc., peculiarly used by the different races; potatoes, sauerkraut, garlic, onions, cheap coffee, and other kinds of food used in a large measure by foreigners; as well as cheap household and kitchen articles. That there is very little effort on the part of the immigrant storekeepers to quicken or create demand for new articles is seen in a comparison of the nature of their stock and the articles owned by immigrants in their houses.

The

There is a strong contrast between native and foreign mercantile establishments in the matter of orderliness and cleanliness. immigrant stores are as a rule kept in great confusion and are frequently quite dirty. This is due not only to the lack of method and cleanliness on the part of the merchant, but also to the fact that their consumers do not evidence a demand for cleanliness and order, although many of them have had occasion to deal with American stores and observe the difference.

There is little difference in methods of keeping accounts between native and foreign stores of the same kind. Regular customers, such as families and boarding houses, of grocery and meat stores are given store books, and the gross amounts are entered upon the merchant's day books and ledgers for monthly settlements. Credit custom seems to be carried on to a less extent by clothing and other stores than by grocery and meat shops.

Delivery systems are used only to a slight extent, there being only two immigrant general stores which have wagons, and none which resort to hand delivery.

Restaurants are operated only by Italians and Macedonians, and are patronized chiefly by immigrants. The Italian restaurants are operated on a larger scale than those owned by Macedonians. One Italian business of this kind is well kept and is conducted on the improved plan of cheap American restaurants, although it is almost exclusively patronized by Italians, and is situated on the outskirts of one of the Italian sections next to an American lunch room. Macedonian restaurants are ill-kept, dirty places in the foreign sections, and are general loafing points for Macedonians and a sprinkling of other races.

The

The one real estate establishment conducted by a recent immigrant in the community has as its proprietor an Austrian-German, who has had considerable business training as a clerk in a Croatian bank and steamship agency. An examination of his books did not reveal many transactions, a fact which he claimed was due to the industrial depression of 1907-8. Fully three-fourths of his business was the collecting of rents for both foreign and native property owners, and the other fourth was composed of small speculations on his own account and transactions in small houses in the foreign sections of the city.

Two drug stores are located in immigrant sections, one being owned and operated by Germans and the other being owned by Magyars and conducted by Slovaks. Both are operated like American stores, the usual soda fountains, tobacco stands, etc., being important adjuncts. The druggists in the German store are American born and educated in pharmacy; the Slovak store is operated by a registered pharmacist

who was educated in Hungary. In both, the German and Slavic dialects are spoken. Other instances of specialized business are seen in two immigrant undertaking establishments, two tailor shops, and several barber shops. The differences between these and like establishments operated by natives is slight. They are equipped in American style and with American conveniences, machines, etc., although they are carried on by immigrants who have received their training as apprentices in their native land. One tailoring establishment is operated by an Austrian Pole, the other by a Magyar. Barber shops are owned by Germans, Magyars, and Slovaks. The two undertaking establishments are patronized by all those of foreign origin in the sections where they are located.

In a comparison of methods used by immigrant business men and Americans, the contrast in advertising methods and the significance of it should be noted. While advertising of all kinds is followed to a very great extent by American business establishments, very little of it is done by immigrants similarly engaged. Considerable advertising is done by Germans in their weekly paper published in Community A, and by Croatians, Servians, and Slovak business men in the Croatian weekly, also published in the foreign section of the town. The same is true of Italian newspapers, an examination of the columns of La Trinacria, published in Pittsburg, but having a large circulation among the Italians of Community A, reveals advertisements of the two Italian banks, a large Italian restaurant, and a wholesale fruit store. Advertising of this nature, however, is confined entirely to the foreign business men of long residence, chiefly of the German, Croatian, Servian, Slovak, and Magyar races, who have assimilated some of the American methods. Calendars, folders, attractive posters, etc., are used by a large Magyar banking house, the managers of which are well assimilated citizens, and also by a Servian banking house.

Every steamship agency has its posters of ticket rates, which are forwarded by the steamship companies. Evidences of skill in window displays and signs are rarely seen, and then only in the establishments of the more Americanized immigrants; in many instances no signs are shown, the displays of goods, infrequently changed, being the sole method of advertising, as in the case of fruit stands, novelty and variety stores, etc. The habit of advertising appears to be an American method of conducting business, and is adopted by immigrants in proportion to their length of residence and degree of assimilation. The variety of races in the immigrant population, their location in a town of considerable size, the absence of control by any one industry or agency of the living conditions of immigrant employees, as evidenced by the lack of any exclusive property holdings, commissioners, and the gradual increase in the foreign population, have not afforded as much opportunity for the monopoly of interest by any one man or set of men, as in other immigrant populations where these opposing conditions do not prevail. At the same time there are instances of immigrant business men who have gained considerable influence among their countrymen by gradually increasing their interests. The most conspicuous example is a Servian of the foreign section, who, possessing little education, and starting as a common laborer in the principal steel company some fifteen years ago, immediately