property owning, marriage, and home making, and frequently of assisting the local benefit associations. It can not be denied that the influence of immigrant churches is strong in the two directions outlined. The logically resultant effect of the forces thus created is distinctly against assimilation. Segregation prevents the removal of such barriers to assimilation as separation from natives, and racial and religious differences among themselves. The settling influence is, on the other hand, in itself distinctly permanent residence on the part of the immigrants, not only in the United States, but also in a certain locality, whereby they are enabled to have their friends and relatives with them here, and to become accustomed to the local environment as well as to have a home in a definite place. The result of these two opposing influences is the growth of certain "foreign sections" of the city made up of a large number of permanent residents of all the principal races so segregated from the natives as to foster a peculiar communal life, in not only the foreign "sections," but also in "colonies" formed by individual races. Work of Native Churches and Religious Organizations Among Immigrants The work done by native churches among the immigrants is regarded as of a purely missionary nature. There is little tendency to promote association among natives and foreigners such as exists among natives. Indeed, one of the most striking features of the whole immigration situation is the almost entire indifference of the native churches to the immigrants, and the general lack of religious and welfare work among them. The native American churches claim that their efforts have largely resulted in failure because of the immigrant churches and the segregation of the immigrant population. However this may be, it is undoubtedly true that the American churches are passing by a great opportunity for social service. Their inertness is principally due to race prejudice and the general alienation of the church from the workingman. The Work of Other Organizations THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION The Young Men's Christian Association has for the past few years made efforts to do work of a purely secular character among the immigrant races. Its work has been mainly of an educational kind, especially night and day classes in the English language. Advertisements are printed in different languages and distributed among immigrants residing in a community. All taking these classes are required to pay a membership and tuition fee to the association. The classes are two, one for beginners and another for advanced students, and usually meet twice a week for two hours during a period of six months, beginning in October of each year. Male native teachers are usually employed. The courses in the English language are designed to bring the immigrants to an intelligent understanding of American Government and institutions. For example, the "Reader" used in three classes contains selections on citizenship, the meaning of the American flag, outlines of the Goment, iron and steel making, and other industrial trying to do, and a nu es, what trade-unions are of similar topics. In addi tion, a course of four lessons is given to classes on "How to become a citizen of the United States." Plans have already been made by the organization, and are also gradually being put into operation, to secure direct contact and working relations with the incoming immigrant as well as to the more intelligent and successful conducting of agencies leading to his Americanization. Several years ago a group of young men were sent abroad to study the principal races of recent arrival in the United States in their home countries, to learn their languages, and to acquire insight into their living conditions and aspirations. Thus equipped, it was thought that these representatives could much more effectively carry on the work of the organization in immigrant communities in this country. It is the intention to send other groups of men abroad at intervals with the same object in view. An arrangement is also being perfected, through the International Committee of the organization, by which an immigrant from any country may be guided and protected throughout his entire journey to his final destination in the United States. The Young Men's Christian Association, briefly stated, is endeavoring to relate its work to incoming Americans (1) at the ports of embarkation, (2) en route on the ships, (3) at the ports of entry, (4) in transit from ports of entry to destination, and (5) at the points of destination. THE NORTH AMERICAN CIVIC LEAGUE The North American Civic League for Immigrants is another organization which, conceived in a patriotic spirit, is doing an important work in the protection and Americanization of the remigrant. This body has no attitude toward ination as a policy. It simply takes conditions as they exist, and attempts to safeguard the incoming immigrant and educate him to a knowledge and use of American standards and institutions. The organization was first established in Boston, and the main activities are principally confined to that city and New York, altho it is expected to extend the work before long to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Chicago. The work is conducted through salaried secretaries and assistants, and is supported by voluntary contributions of interested persons. From the multitude of things which the league might do, emphasis so far has been placed upon the following: (1) Agitation and organization-to the end that all Americans may become conversant with existing conditions and so conduct themselves as to hasten rather than hinder the assimilation of immigrants. (2) The positive work required to protect immigrants at the time of disembarkation and in transit to the place where they expect to settle. (3) The teaching of the English language to those unfamiliar with the tongue, together with the rudiments of citizenship. ALIEN SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS A work somewhat similar to that of the North American Civic League is done in Chicago under the auspices of a local and independent organization. A considerable number of protective organizations have also been organized by the members of the principal races of recent immigration for the purpose of safeguarding their own countrymen upon their arrival at New York City and other ports of entry. A notable and important work in the distribution of Hebrew immigrants has been accomplished through the assistance of the Baron de Hirsch Fund, established by the public-spirited Hebrew banker of that name in 1891. Not only have the Hebrew immigrants been assisted in settling upon the land, as has already been pointed out,* but an elaborate organization has been perfected throughout the country for the purpose of adjusting the supply of labor to the demand and for preventing the congestion of Hebrew immigrants at ports of entry. This adjustment is made by representatives of the organization in interior towns and cities notifying other representatives of the organization at the points of disembarkation of the labor needs of the interior communities. Skilled or unskilled Hebrew immigrants, according to the varying demands of interior communities, are accordingly distributed. State Bureaus Mention has already been made of the work of the employment agencies and their part in distributing the immigrants from the ports of entry throughout the United States. Institutions of the same character are also maintained in a number of States by public funds. They perform their services without charge. Many of the States also maintain Immigration or Agricultural Bureaus for the purpose of encouraging immigration into their limits. The activities of these organizations are mainly centered upon advertising the industrial and business opportunities offered by their respective States, of listing farm lands for rent or sale, and of placing the demand for labor before the incoming immigrant or the population of immigrant * See Chapter VI, The Recent Immigrant as a Farmer. |