TABLE 146.-Native Americans and immigrants in professions, by race.

An inspection of the above table reveals that among the Irish in the community are found 5 priests, 5 lawyers, 3 physicians, 2 dentists, and 1 druggist. The English include among their number 3 dentists, 3 physicians, 2 veterinary surgeons, 1 druggist, and 1 architect. Among the Germans are found 3 ministers, 1 priest, 1 dentist, 1. lawyer, 1 physician, and 4 druggists. Among the Polish population the parish priest is the only professional man. The French Canadians have in the professions 3 physicians and 2 druggists. The number of professional men among all other races in the community are shown to be very small, while among such races as the Slovak, Lithuanian, Slovenian, Greek, Syrian, and Chinese there are none. The majority of the professional men among the immigrants in the community received their training in American institutions. The immigrant pharmacists are especially well equipped for the practice of their profession; the physicians are not so highly regarded and practice almost entirely among their respective races. The ministers and priests among the foreign races are held in high esteem by the natives in their calling, and enjoy a recognized standing in the community.

CHAPTER IX.

GENERAL PROGRESS AND ASSIMILATION.

Ownership of homes-Investments-School attendance Status of children in the households studied-Citizenship-Ability to speak English-Churches-Libraries—Americanization—[Text Tables 147 to 152 and General Tables 125 to 130].

OWNERSHIP OF HOMES.

Home ownership by families the heads of which were of foreign birth may be considered as a strong indication of permanent settlement, and the facts in this connection relative to the families the heads of which were employed in Community B are set forth in the following table according to general nativity and race of head of family:

TABLE 147.-Number and per cent of families owning home, by general nativity and race of head of family.

Of the 458 families included in the above table, only 22.5 per cent own homes. The most remarkable thing about the foregoing totals is that the foreign-born show a much larger proportion of families owning home than do the native-born of foreign father. The proportion for the foreign-born is 25.2 per cent and for the native-born of foreign father only 14 per cent. The native-born of German fathers show a proportion of 18.6 per cent who own homes as compared with 14.3 per cent shown by the native-born of Irish fathers. Of the foreign-born races, the Germans show the largest proportion

of families owning home. For that race the percentage is 43.9 as compared with 14.5 per cent of the French Canadians and 16 per cent of the Poles. Of the Swedes 33.3 per cent own homes as compared with 21.2 per cent of the South Italians.

INVESTMENTS.

The races which are the most temperate are those that show the greatest tendency to save. The German, French Canadian, and Swedish races are noted for their saving ability in addition to their temperate habits. The Jews and Italians are also credited with being great savers, as they, too, are very temperate. The Slavic races and Greeks do not make as much money in proportion as do these other races, but, with a lower standard of living than the native, exercise stricter economy, and the members of these races save money, and are willing to sacrifice comfort, health, and even necessary means of subsistence in order to lay aside a certain amount.

Home ownership is one of the most hopeful signs shown by immigrant races in this community. Those races which have resided the longest own the greatest amount of property, but it seems to be an almost universal trait of all the foreign races that after the desire for naturalization comes the desire to own a home. It may be explained partly by the reason that both of these privileges have been difficult of attainment in the old country, or it may be the desire to pose as a person of property; nevertheless, the owning of property seems to be a universal goal. The English-speaking races stand first in the ownership of homes. These are followed closely by the Germans, Swedes, and French Canadians in the order mentioned. Small numbers of North and South Italians own their homes, and a still smaller number of those belonging to the Slavic races are property

owners.

As showing more clearly the extent to which representatives of the immigrant races have acquired property, the following statement is submitted:

Property held in Community B by principal immigrant non-English-speaking races, Ĵanuary, 1909.

Those races that intend to settle permanently, if they are in business generally place their net profits at interest in banks until a sufficient amount has been saved to purchase property, usually a dwelling house. Those persons who intend to return to Europe, single men or men whose families reside abroad, usually forward their money to their native country. This is notable in the case of the Italians. In some cases the immigrant is forced to send his earnings abroad to pay his passage money, which he borrowed. Investments in the form of stocks and bonds are seldom made by the immigrant, even after long residence in the country. The only people in Community B of foreign race making such investments have been the Germans and English, and these only in rare instances. The savings bank, the commercial bank, real estate, land, and the cheaper forms of insurance, in most cases child insurance, are the only forms of investment into which those of foreign races put their savings.

The extent to which the foreign-born persons make remittances to their native countries is set forth in the statements next submitted:

Money orders sent abroad through Community B post-office, December 6, 1907, to December 5, 1908.

Money orders to Europe and Asia by private agent, by countries, from Community B, in

Money orders by private agent to Italy from Community B, August 1, 1907, to July 20, 1908.

Number of orders.

Amount.

Italy..

108

$2,999. 20

Money is sent abroad by these foreign-born persons for a number of reasons. One of the chief purposes is to support a wife or parents at home. Another reason for remittances is that single men desiring to return send their money in advance, as they have more faith in foreign institutions than in our own. Immigrants who have borrowed money to come to the United States make remittances for the purpose of settling such obligations. Money is often sent in order that parents, wife, or friends may come to this country.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

The school facilities in Community B are very good. There are 19 day schools, with 116 teachers, under the supervision of a city superintendent, and 1 night school conducted by the city. In addition to the public schools, parochial schools are conducted by the German, Polish, French Canadian, and Irish Catholics; 2 schools are conducted by the German Lutherans and by the Hebrews. The number of students in each of the parochial schools is shown in the following statement:

School children in the parochial schools of Community B.

The Jewish school and one of the German Lutheran schools were not enumerated under the parochial schools because the children attending also attended the public school. The Jewish school has 2 teachers and 60 students, and the children are taught to speak, read, and write Hebrew, to study Hebrew history, and are instructed in the Talmud. The Lutheran school is conducted by the Lutheran minister, and the children are taught to read, write, and speak the German language.

Attendance up to the age of 14 is compulsory for all children in the State of Connecticut and this law is faithfully carried out in Community B. As showing the effect of this law the table following is presented, which shows, by sex and race, the number of children in the public schools of Community B in 1909.