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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. Fortunately, the last few years have shown, in this regard, an awakening in many churches.

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 Government, iron and steel making, and other industrial processes, what trade-unions are trying to do, and a number of similar topics. In addition, 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 even now fairly well in operation, to secure direct contact and working relations with the incoming immigrant as well as with 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 has also been made, through the International Committee of the organization, by which an immigrant from any one of several foreign ports, through a system of cards of introduction and through representatives on shipboard, 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, with a good measure of success, 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 recent immigrant. This body has no attitude toward immigration 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. Another active center was organized in New York, and its influence has been strongly felt, especially, perhaps, in the promotion of legislation. 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) Promotion of helpful legislation.

(3) The positive work required to protect immigrants at the time of disembarkation and in transit to the place where they expect to settle.

(4) The teaching of the English language to those unfamiliar with the tongue, together with the rudiments of citizenship.

Travelers' Aid Society

An especially useful work is done by the Travelers' Aid Society for girls and women. Women agents of the society meet all steamers on arrival and attend particularly to the needs of women traveling second-class, tho aid is given freely to any travelers needing assistance. As those who are being sought for immoral purposes usually travel second-class, the work is especially useful in this respect.

During the year 1914, 11,267 persons were assisted at the docks, 11,487 at the railway stations, and 7,955 were discharged by the Government to the agents of the society, who conducted them, free of charge, to the addresses desired, put them on the proper trains and assisted them in all possible ways. Scores of girls every year are rescued or prevented from falling into the hands of those with evil designs.

Settlements

The various social settlements in New York, Chicago, Boston and elsewhere have naturally taken a special interest in the immigrants, and in many ways their assimilation work is of special value. Not only do they have classes in teaching English and in technical work of various kinds, but their social features, their clubs, dances, parties, visiting, etc., bring them into close relationships of a personal, sympathetic nature that do more, perhaps, to give a home feeling than any other agency. Often the district nurses in the cities are associated in this work and their relations with the women and children of the immigrant families are generally close and helpful. Such contact is, of course, especially beneficial.

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 societies 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

See Chapter VI, The Recent Immigrant as a Farmer.

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