the figures for the year 1908 are available. Inasmuch as in the fall of 1907 there was an industrial crisis. followed by a period of depression, the return movement during the year 1908 was doubtless greatly stimulated, while on the other hand the immigration during the earlier part of 1907 was also very large. The European emigration, including the Syrians, into the United States in the year 1907 showed 22.7 per cent. of the old immigration and 77.3 per cent. of the new, whereas the difference between the immigrants of these two classes leaving the United States in the year 1908 was still more striking, those of the old immigration numbering only 8.9 per cent., while the new formed 91.1 per cent. These facts would seem to show that the races of peoples composing the older immigration are much more largely permanent residents, whereas a very large proportion of the newer immigrants are merely transient dwellers who come here for a few years to acquire a competence and then return to their home country.

From the reports of the United States Commissioner-General of Immigration, which have, on the whole, been confirmed by the separate investigations of the Immigration Commission, it appears that taking a number of years in succession, 1908, 1909, 1910, the number departing for every one hundred admitted varies greatly among the different races, and the distinction between the new immigration and the old in this regard is very striking. Not less than 56 per cent. and over of the Italians, Magyars, Turks, Croatians, were returning to Europe in those years, whereas of the Hebrews and the Irish only 8 per cent. and 7 per cent., respectively, returned. If we classify the data regarding the aliens admitted and departed, so as

to indicate separately the old and the new immigration, it is found that the number departing for every one hundred admitted of the old immigration is only 16, while of the new immigration it is more than twice as much, 38.

It appears then clearly that in this respect likewise the conditions which would lead to a ready assimilation with the Americans exist to a much greater degree among the races of the old than among those of the new immigration. It appears, too, that the inclination to return to the home country is much greater among the immigrants who have been in this country but a short time than among others, another fact which seems to justify the belief that the transient immigrant is becoming a most important factor of the entire immigration question. In this regard, too, the difference between the old immigration and the new is quite noteworthy, altho not so great as in some other respects, 71.3 per cent. of the returning immigrants of the old immigration, of the years 1908 to 1910 inclusive, being of those immigrants who have been in this country five years or less, while 83 per cent. of the new immigration had been in this country during that brief time.

The distinction of the sexes also is noteworthy, emphasizing again the fact that it is among the newer immigrants that we find by far the largest proportion of those workers who come here without their families, with the intention of enduring the hardships of toil for a season and then returning to Europe for their place of permanent abode. Among returning immigrants of the old immigration 63.6 per cent. were males, whereas of those of the new immigration not less than 85.4 per cent. were males. It seems that of

all the immigrants now coming into this country about one-third return to Europe, and it seems also reasonably clear that approximately two-thirds of all those who return to Europe remain there. This migratory tendency, of the new immigration especially, has doubtless a most important influence upon the difficulty of assimilation of the immigrants into the great body of American citizens, and is a factor that should not be overlooked in estimating the influence of the different races upon our country, and the results thereof upon our people.

Probably the large majority of the immigrants from Europe who later return thither leave in this country, as the result of their toil, an increase of wealth considerably greater than that which they take with them, as the result of their savings, for investment in their home country. From the point of view solely of economic gain our country has been profited by their coming. On the other hand, this profit is much greater for a man of the same degree of productivity, provided he takes an interest in this country, invests his savings here, becomes identified with our institutions, and, expecting this to be the permanent home of himself and his children, plans his work and directs his hopes so as to bring about the best results for the future. In any attempt to make a distinction between the various races of immigrants or the various classes industrially, this factor of permanency should be considered a very important one. Naturally, aside / from the question as to the physical or mental or moral

qualities of the persons involved, their purpose and intent modifies profoundly the results of their residence here.

ABILITY TO SPEAK ENGLISH

Naturally the ease with which people adapt themselves to American institutions will depend largely upon the readiness with which they master the English language and likeness of their home institutions to ours. It will appear in later chapters that in both respects the immigrants of the old immigration-especially, of course, those from Great Britain, Ireland, and the British colonies-have a decided advantage.

The Need of a Detailed Study

So important are all these characteristics, as well as some others, that detailed consideration must be given to them in order to see how far the different races have adapted themselves to American ways, and what further measures need to be taken. This is attempted in the subsequent discussion.

IV

SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF RECENT IMMIGRATION

Difficulty of Special Studies

Many persons who have spoken and written of late years in favor of restriction of immigration, have laid great stress upon the evils to society arising from immigration. They have claimed that disease, pauperism, crime and vice have been greatly increased through the incoming of the immigrants. Perhaps no other phase of the question has aroused so keen feeling, and yet perhaps on no other phase of the question has there been so little accurate information.

It is doubtful whether the increased number of convictions for crime are found because more crimes are committed, or because our courts and the police are more active. It is probable that we hear more of vice and immorality in these late days, not because they are on the increase, but because people's consciences have become more sensitive, and in consequence greater efforts are made to suppress them.

It is certain that the injurious effect of most contagious diseases has been very greatly lessened, and yet it is probable that we hear more regarding contagious diseases now than ever before because we have become more watchful.

The data regarding contagious diseases, pauperism, crime, in connection with the immigrants, are extremely meager and unsatisfactory; but the Immigration Commission made the best use possible of such data as exist, and it was able to institute a number of