Of the 2,820 male employees in this locality for whom information was obtained none is under 14, and only 4.7 per cent are from 14 to 19 years of age, while 22.8, 24.4, 16.2, and 21.7 per cent are from 20 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, and 35 to 44, respectively. The proportions from 45 to 54 and 55 or over combined constitute but 10.1 per cent of all male employees for whom information was obtained. The foreign-born show proportions in each specified age group that vary little from the proportions shown in the total for all employees. This is also true, but to a lesser extent, of both the whites, native-born of native father and the native-born of foreign father.

Among the foreign-born it will be noted that no Slovenians and only a very small proportion of each of the other races are from 14 to 19 years of age. The Slovenians, on the other hand, show the largest proportion from 20 to 24 years of age, a proportion slightly larger than that show by the Croatians or North Italians, considerably larger than that shown by the Magyars, Slovaks, Poles, or English, and very much larger than that shown by the Germans, Irish, or Canadians other than French, the last named showing but 7.5 per cent. Of those from 25 to 29 years of age the Poles, Magyars, Croatians, Slovaks, and Slovenians, with proportions ranging from 36 to 25.6 per cent, each show a proportion above, while the other races, with proportions ranging from 22.9 per cent of the North Italians to 12 per cent of the Germans, each show a proportion below that shown in the total for all male employees. However, the proportion shown by the Germans is but slightly below that of the English, Irish, or Canadians other than French.

The Germans again show the smallest proportion, or 12 per cent, while the Slovaks, with 23.2 per cent, show the largest proportion from 30 to 44 years of age. Of those from 35 to 44 years of age the Canadians other than French, with 45 per cent, show a slightly larger proportion than the Irish, a considerably larger proportion than the Germans, and a much larger proportion than the North Italians or any other race. The Croatians report the lowest proportion, or 13.6 per cent. No North Italians and only small proportions of the other races, excepting the Germans, English, and Irish, are from 45 to 54 years of age, while of those 55 years of age or over the Germans, followed by the English, Canadians other than French, and Irish, show considerably larger proportions than are shown by the North Italians, Slovaks, Magyars, and Poles. All Croatians and Slovenians are under 55 years of age.

The proportions of both Germans and Irish native-born of foreign father in each age group vary very little from the proportions shown in the total for native-born of foreign father.

CHAPTER VII.

IMMIGRANT INSTITUTIONS.

Church facilities and attendance-Public and parochial schools-Immigrants in business Immigrants in the professions-Immigrant banks and investments [Text Tables 540 to 543].

CHURCH FACILITIES AND ATTENDANCE.

A large proportion of the Poles, Magyars, Croatians, and Slovaks represented here are members of the Roman Catholic Church. This allegiance has manifested itself in the erection of a large and prosperous Polish church of the Roman Catholic faith, in connection with which is a parochial school, conducted by Polish nuns. In the school classes are conducted in the Polish language, although English is taught. In addition to the Polish church, which is attended by representatives of nearly all races in the community, there are two Roman Catholic churches conducted by English-speaking priests, the communicants of which are chiefly Irish, Germans, and Americans. Aside from these three Roman Catholic churches there is one Protestant church of the Lutheran faith. Additional religious exercises are conducted in the settlement house as described elsewhere.

Besides the regular services of the churches already established in the community, little work of a religious nature is conducted. There is some activity on the part of local settlement workers, but the large churches in the adjoining city make practically no effort in the locality. One immigrant leader said that the city churches become very active at times, but that the interest manifested by them soon wanes, and he explained that during the early part of each Lent many workers come to the community from the city, but their work is unorganized and little good is accomplished.

PUBLIC AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS.

The parochial schools of Community D maintain more teachers and a better equipment and have a larger enrollment than do the public schools. The parochial schools are two in number, one to each of the two parishes covering the community. The largest parish is that composed of the Polish, Croatian, Slovak, and other southern and eastern European races, and the school in this parish has the larger enrollment and better equipment of the two parochial institutions. The second parish is composed of Irish and German immigrants and native Americans. It is located in a quarter of the community in which these races reside, and the school is conducted by English-speaking nuns.

The public-school system is made use of by the Protestant immigrants and some of the immigrant families. The high school in connection with the public-school system is fairly well equipped and has property valued as follows:

The teachers in the high school are three in number, all women, and the total of their salaries for the nine school months is approximately $2,500. The registration, by classes, is as follows:

The average daily attendance for boys was 7 and for girls 14; total, 21. The number of graduates for the year preceding the investigation was two-one boy and one girl. The total number of volumes in the school library is 353, of which number 151 were added during the past year, and their value is estimated at $200. All of the teachers in the public-school system are native-born Americans, mostly of Irish, Scotch-Irish, and German descent, and nearly all come to the community from the adjoining city.

The only library facilities in the community are those offered by the high school and one social settlement. The high-school library books were selected to meet the demands of the students in the school and with no reference to the possible use of the library by the immigrant residents of the community. In fact, the library is not available for use by the workingmen, as the school building is closed after 4 o'clock in the evening, and the workers in the steel mills are usually engaged at their work until 6 o'clock, or, if working a night shift, usually spend the day at home. Consequently, this library is not frequented by the immigrants, except by those enrolled as students in the school.

The library at the "settlement house" is designed particularly for the immigrants. Many of the books are in the Polish languagethe settlement is intended more to meet the needs of that race than of any other and are helpful to the immigrants, in that the books are generally written for the peasant class and with a view to their advancement. This library is much frequented and the books, though few in number, are always in demand, and while being read are well cared for and usually are returned in good condition. There are a large number of volumes in the settlement house library, and the subjects covered by them are fiction, elementary civil government in the United States, and history.

a A technical term for an institution devoted to social welfare work.

IMMIGRANTS IN BUSINESS.

The large number of immigrants residing in Community D is a decided attraction for the immigrants who desire to engage in business there. The immigrant in business is placed, by the mere fact that he is an immigrant, at a decided advantage over native competitors, for the inhabitants of the community patronize with one accord those of their countrymen who operate stores and shops. This condition has caused the establishment of many immigrant enterprises in the community. The fact that the steel companies take no part in the business of supplying general merchandise to their employees leaves the field open to all who may desire to enter. The following table shows the number of immigrants engaged in business in Community D and the nature of the business followed:

TABLE 540.-Number of immigrants engaged in each specified business in Community D, by race of proprietor.

The information tabulated shows that over one-half of all the immigrants who are engaged in business are saloon owners, and that in each of the other kinds of trade the whole number in no case exceeds 14. A greater number of Poles than of any other race are engaged in business. The Croatians are second, and the Magyars come third. Each of the other races shows fewer than 10 individuals engaged in business. More than half of the Poles who are in business are saloon keepers. Eight operate grocery and meat stores, two own general merchandise establishments, and one is in the clothing business. The Croatians also show a large proportion who are in the saloon business. Over 75 per cent of the business men of this race are saloon owners. Over half of the Magyars reporting are in the saloon business, the others being owners of barber and butcher shops and grocery stores. Aside from the three races just mentioned, those in the saloon business are Germans, Servians, and Slovaks.

The following tables present detailed information as to the individuals who are engaged in business:

TABLE 541.-Present political condition of immigrants in business in Community D, by race of proprietor and by length of residence in the United States.

TABLE 512-Number of immigrants engaged in each specified business in Community D, by race of proprietor and by length of residence in the United States.