or the son of an old line American, the result is the same. ing to do with labor. He will have noth And what is true of the American boy is true of the American girl, in respect of service. This spirit is fine, admirable. It is the spirit that has made American what she is the richest and strongest nation in the world. But it leaves us without labor of our own and almost wholly dependent on foreign labor to do the plain, simple work that only human hands can do. Also a letter from the Associated General Contractors of America, dated January 16, 1923. (Said letter follows:) ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA (INC.)., Washington, D. C., January 16, 1923. Hon. ALBERT JOHNSON, Chairman Committee on Immigration and Naturalization, House of Representatives. MY DEAR MR. JOHNSON: I appreciate that the remaining weeks of the Sixtyseventh Congress will be crowded with pending legislation, and that little or no time can be given to the consideration of immigration legislation, and therefore request that you do not arrange for a hearing for the Associated General Contractors at this time. Later we will take advantage of your kind offer and ask you to arrange a hearing for us. Very truly yours, EUGENE YOUNG, Executive Secretary. Also a telegram from William Butterworth, of New York, calling attention to certain charts and constructive suggestions that were presented before a meeting of the National Industrial Conference Board. (Said telegram follows:) ALBERT JOHNSON, NEW YORK, N. Y., January 5, 1923. House of Representatives, Washington D. C.: Have set to-day in meeting of National Industrial Conference Board where very interesting facts about immigration were presented by charts and otherwise. Constructive suggestions regarding present immigration situation were also proposed which appeal to me strongly. Suggest you invite National Industrial Conference Board, 10 East Thirty-ninth Street, New York City, to appear before your committee. WILLIAM BUTTERWORTH, President Deere & Co., Moline, Ill. Also a letter from the National Crushed Stone Association, of Columbus, Ohio, dated January 20, 1923, saying that their committee will call on this committee Wednesday, January 24, and present a resolution calling attention to the natural shrinkage in the amount of common labor and "Whereas it is admitted that the only possible remedy for this condition is immigration of labor from Europe; and "Whereas mindful of the serious and critical conditions of the railroads and public carriers and of the possibility of their merging into one or more great systems or being operated by the Government, and aware of the suggestions being freely made as to the curtailing of all roadbuilding and construction work in general in the hope of relieving the present freight conditions," etc. Without objection, the letter and resolution will be placed in the record. (Said letter and resolution follow:) THE CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL CRUSHED STONE ASSOCIATION, House Immigration Committee, Washington, D. C. MR. CHAIRMAN: Inclose copy of resolution adopted by National Crushed Stone Association convention held this week in Chicago by unanimous vote. Our committee will call on you next Wednesday, January 24. The American Road Builders Assocation convention also adopted inclosed resolution. Respectfully, A. P. SANDLES, Secretary. RESOLUTION ON IMMIGRATION AND RAILROADS PRESENTED TO NATIONAL CRUSHED STONE CONVENTION, ASSEMBLED IN CHICAGO, JANUARY 15-17, 1923, AND UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED. Whereas the members of this association have, during the year 1922, found it impossible to obtain a sufficient amount of common labor to properly conduct their business, and operate their plants, notwithstanding the offer of extraordinary inducements and wages; and Whereas this condition seriously curtailed their output and added greatly to the cost of production and seriously jeopardizes their future business; and Whereas this condition has affected not only the crushed-stone industry, but has denuded the farms of labor, has seriously crippled, and in some cases caused to be abandoned, the important road-building programs of many States, and has seriously retared and affected factory production and building construction of all kinds throughout the United States, and is the principal factor in the high cost of all commodities; and Whereas because of the natural shrinkage in the amount of common labor, this condition becomes more acute daily; and Whereas it is admitted that the only possible remedy for this condition is immigration of labor from Europe; and Whereas mindful of the serious and critical conditions of the railroads and public carriers and of the possibility of their merging into one or more great systems, or being operated by the Government, and aware of the suggestions being freely made as to the curtailing of all road building and construction work in general in the hope of relieving the present congested freight conditions: Therefore be it Resolved, That this association considers the acute shortage of common labor and the railroad situation the most important matters before the American people at this time; conditions that seriously menace the prosperity of the entire population, the big obstacle in the way of 100 per cent prosperity; and further be it Resolved, That while this association does not advocate unrestricted and unlimited immigration, it respectfully urges upon the President and Congress of the United States the urgent necessity at this time of so wisely modifying and amending the present immigration law, that a sufficient amount of common labor may come from Europe to properly man the farms and industries of this country, and further urges that immediate action be taken in the matter, so that benefiial results shall be obtained during the year 1923: Therefore be it further Resolved, That the president of this association be instructed to appoint a committee on immigration and railroads to take such steps throughout the ensuing year as may best protect not only the interest of our industry but of industry in general and that this committee be not unmindful of the counsel of the board of directors in carrying out this work; be it further Resolved, That copy of these resolutions be submitted to the American Road Builders' Association with a view toward taking such joint action as may best serve our mutual interests. Also a letter from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. (Said letter follows:) UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS OF NORTH AMERICA, Tacoma, Wash., Jan. 16, 1923. Hon. ALBERT JOHNSON, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: We understand that there is a decided move on in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to modify the present immigration laws so as to allow this country to be flooded with cheap foreign labor. This organization wishes to request you to use your every influence in opposition to such a move. Cheap labor is not the solution of economic problems. We believe that you will oppose such a move but wish to express our opinion and satisfaction with the present immigration laws. Thanking you for your consideration of this matter, we beg to remain, Very truly yours, C. B. GASKILL, Recording Secretary. Also a resolution dated January 20, 1923, from the Immigration Restriction League in opposition to the admission of Armenians. (Said letter follows:) To Hon. ALBERT JOHNSON, IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION LEAGUE (INC.), Chairman House Committee on Immigration, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: The following resolution was adopted by the Immigration Restriction League (Inc.) at a meeting held on Friday, January 12, 1923, and the secretary instructed to mail you a copy: "Resolved, That this league hereby puts itself on record as being opposed to the resolution introduced in the Senate by Senator Williams to admit 100,000 Armenians into the United States; and be it further "Resolved, That this league is opposed to any and all measures pending that would serve to reduce or impair the effectiveness of the present percentage limitation law." Yours respectfully, A. R. WEBSTER, Secretary. Also an article from the New York Times of August 7, 1922, headed, “Union here equips Russian factories." (Said article follows:) UNION HERE EQUIPS RUSSIAN FACTORIES. The Russian-American Industrial Corporation, formed under the auspices of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, to operate clothing and textile factories in Russia, announced yesterday its first shipment of machinery to Russia. The shipment of the machinery for the bettering of the existing plants is the beginning of the active functioning of the organization in Russia, said Sidney Hillman, president of the corporation. The shipment consists of extra parts for machines bought from American concerns and was sent in response to a memorandum from Moscow. According to Mr. Hillman, subscriptions to the stock of the corporation have passed the $100,000 mark, and he said he was confident that with the clearing up of the industrial situation in a few weeks the total fund of $1,000,000 would be subscribed. The funds will be applied to the work as fast as the need becomes apparent. he said. In the meantime representatives of the corporation will be sent to Russia to go over the present situation. "My correspondent in Moscow writes me," said Mr. Hillman, "that in the place of the old central administrative body for clothing factories under the soviet government there have been organized syndicates in Moscow, Petrograd, and Kazan, which we may take over. These syndicates are given full power of management and have perfect freedom in the sale and purchase of goods, both in Russia and abroad. They will be able to utilize the entire output of cloth from the Russian mills. He also states that the principal need of the Russian clothing industry now is for working capital. The market demand is large enough to take care not only of these clothing factories but also of the output of other cities in the Ukraine and Central Russia. "The Russian-American Industrial Corporation is here to take advantage of this opportunity and it is getting down to business. Our first shipment of machine parts will be followed by others as the demand is manifest and the whole enterprise will be on a going basis before many months are over." Also an article from the New York Times of August 12, 1922, headed "Union plans more banks." (Said article follows:) UNION PLANS MORE BANKS. ROCHESTER, N. Y.. August 11.-Establishment of a bank in Rochester for the 13,000 members of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, and for such other persons as desire to put their money in the institution, is now being contemplated. This fact was made known to-day in a statement issued by Sidney W. Hillman, national president of the union. Establishment of banks in all large clothing centers of the United States where there are locals of the amalgamated will be discussed to-morrow by the general executive board of the union, which is in session here, Mr. Hillman said. The official of the amalgamated also stated that impetus to the project had been given by the success of the Chicago institution opened on July 1, which now has resources of more than $1.000,000 and more than 2,000 depositors. Mr. Hillman stated that if the bank in Rochester could not be organized under State laws application would be made for a national charter. He said that the policy of the union is to have responsible persons interested in the bank to obtain full confidence of the membership in the activities of the institution. Banking is done on conservative lines for the interests of the depositors and the union, he said. Also an article from the New York Times of September 2, 1922, headed Leaves for Russia to open factories." (Said article follows:) LEAVES FOR RUSSIA TO OPEN FACTORIES. Sidney Hillman, general president of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, will sail for Russia on the United States Shipping Board steamship America to-day to make final arrangements with the soviet government for the operation of the Russian-American Industrial Corporation, which holds a concession to operate clothing and other factories in Russia. He said yester day he would visit Germany, Lithuania, and Latvia as well as Russia. More than $200,000 of the Russian-American Corporation's capital of $1,000,000 was subscribed by the public in small subscriptions, Mr. Hillman said. He plans to organize the management of the factories and will leave in Russia technical experts representing the American corporation to carry on the busi ness. "I am confident," he said, "that this is merely the beginning of our work in aiding the economic reconstruction of Europe. Our investment will be properly guaranteed by the soviet government and will yield an adequate return to the American investors. We have the right under our concession to extend our operations indefinitely in this and in other industries. Success in the initial experiment will be the first practical and constructve effort in economic regeneration, and will show the way for much larger undertakings. "There is only one way to revive Russian industry, and that is by the importation of working capital from other countries to give it a start. With capital and under proper management the wheels of Russian factories can be turning full speed within a comparatively short time. There is no doubt in my mind that the present Russian Government is stable and will hold power for years to come. I am certain that it will deal fairly with those who wish to deal fairly with Russia." In addition to representing the corporation, Mr. Hillman will take care of the European interests of the Amalgamated Trust & Savings Bank, a cooperative bank recently started by the union in Chicago. 66 Also an article headed Refugees would not swamp us." (Said article follows:) REFUGEES WOULD NOT SWAMP US. To the Editor of the Evening Post: SIR: My attention has been called to the communication of Mr. Joseph Dexel Holmes which appeared in a recent number of the Evening Post on the subject of "Exiles from Asia Minor." His letter being very misleading, I wish to make some statements giving the facts to your readers on this subject. The evacuation of Asia Minor by the Greek army has brought a great calamity to the Christian population there. More than 100,000 Armenians and about half a million Greeks have been driven out of their homes in Smyrna and elsewhere and have taken refuge in Greek territories in an utterly destitute condition. The President of the United States has officially recognized the existence of an emergency in the Near East due to the Smyrna disaster, and in order to give expression to the humanitarian sentiment of the people of the United States has appointed a special committee under the chairmanship of Will Hays to provide funds for the relief of these Christian refugees, as well as calling upon the American Red Cross to meet the great emergency in cooperation with the Near East Relief Committee. 29018-23-SER 5-C-21 The Armenians and Greeks of Asia Minor and Thrace now refugees in Greek territories continue in their evil plight. They are unable to return to their homes, their homes being in most cases destroyed and the Turkish authorities having ruled against their return. The pending evacuation of Constantinople by the Allied Powers has started the exodus of the Chris.ian people from the city, thus making the burden of American relief organizations still heavier. Greece has a population of not more than 5,000,000, and has been exhausted through 10 years of continued war, and even normally is unable to raise enough cereals to feed her own population, has been suddenly burdened with the gigantic task of housing and feeding about a million and a half refugees. Greece is doing nobly, but the task is too stupendous for her. The suggestion made by Mr. Holmes that the refugees can find living conditions similar to those at home and perhaps better in climate, opportunity, and environment on the shores of the Egean, the hills of Macedonia, and the sparsely inhabited Balakans," is an absurdity. If America, with its vast territory extending from ocean to ocean and with a population of over 110,000,000, has decided that she can not safely welcome to her shores annually more than 357,803, this being the annual quota from all countries, how can we expect little Greece to support and assimilate over a million and a half refugees? However, there is no movement on foot to bring all these refugees to the United States, as Mr. Holmes seems to think. On the contrary, the Armenian National Delegation is asking the allied powers in conference at Lausanne to create an Armenian national home in their historic land so that the bulk of the Armenian refugees may be settled there. Therefore, when Mr. Holmes says that a bill has been introduced in Congress to give permission to this vast exodus, he is misstating the facts. The bill which has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Keyes, of New Hampshire, and by Congressman White, of Kansas, in the House, does not propose to permit the exodus of the vast army of refugees-it only permits American citizens or declarants to bring their close relatives who are now refugees and who are otherwise admissible in accordance with the general immigration laws, at the same time guaranteeing that these refugee' relatives, when they arrive, will not become public charges. Your correspondent seems to think that this bill has been presented without detailed information as to the necessity or advisability of such a move. The fact is that the House Committee on Immigration has been giving hearings on this bill, and on the 19th of December an all-day hearing took place in Washington. Among the 16 important witnesses who presented a great many reliable and illuminating facts were the Hon. George Horton, consul general of Smyrna, and Dr. Esther Lovejoy, president of the American Women's Hospital Association, both eyewitnesses of the Smyrna disaster. Mr. Charles Vickery, the general secretary of the Near East Relief; Prof. Ellsworth Huntington, of Yale University; and representatives of the Federal Council of Churches, the Congregational Home Missionary Board, the Y. M. C. A., and the Y. W. C. A., as well as Armenian and Greek authorities on the subject, appeared in favor of the bill. Congress now has all the facts to act intelligently on the particular refugee relative bill, H. R. 13269. The testimony given has been already printed and is available for anyone who cares to apply for it. It is hardly conceivable that there could be found any Americans who would refuse to their fellow citizens the right and privilege to save the members of their families who have become refugees in Greece and in danger of death from starvation, exposure, and disease. The number of refugees who have close relatives in the United States who are financially able and willing to assume the support of their relatives, if they are permitted to bring them over to the United States, is estimated by competent experts to be not more than ten to fifteen thousand. These refugees being mostly women and children, their admission into the United States will in no wise affect the labor situation. In a way it will lighten the task of American relief organizations and make it possible for the funds provided by the American people to be used for the support only of those unfortunate refugees who are absolutely helpless and friendless. MIHRAN T. KALAIDJIAN, |