1 66 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



old world, and often contain considerable sums of money, which is con- 

 vincing evidence to the European peasant. During periods of depres- 

 sion the tone of the letters reflects the change of circumstances and 

 letters are less likely to contain cash remittances. According to state- 

 ments of steamship officials, from 40 to 55 per cent, of our immigrants 

 come here on tickets prepaid by friends in the United States — so that 

 the successful immigrant here is the best advertisement of the advan- 

 tages afforded by the United States, and one of the greatest factors in 

 inducing immigration. 



There is no doubt that in the past large employers of labor encour- 

 aged emigration from Europe, but there is no longer any necessity for 

 them to induce emigration, either by agents or by advertisement, and 

 the practise has almost ceased. 



The transatlantic steamship companies have found the business of 

 transporting immigrants to America very profitable and have done 

 much to develop our immigration to its present mammoth proportions. 

 Although the steamship companies deny the fact, a well organized system 

 undoubtedly exists in Europe, by means of which agents and sub-agents 

 of the steamship companies induce emigration. The companies do not 

 openly countenance the system of misrepresentation which the sub- 

 agents employ, but the fact remains that it is in their power to remedy 

 this evil, which they still permit to be practised. For the sake of the 

 commission allowed them these sub-agents picture America as an El 

 Dorado to the peasants, telling them that passage to America is the 

 certain road to fortune. 



One of the most potent causes of emigration from Europe is the 

 assistance given the poor of certain races by rich individuals or philan- 

 thropic associations. Thousands of Roumanian and Russian Jews, 

 forced by persecution to emigrate, are assisted by the Jewish societies or 

 individuals in the towns through which they pass and are thus helped to 

 the seaboard. Many are passed on through Hamburg, Rotterdam, 

 Libau or some other continental port to London. Here they are met 

 by the representative of the 'Hebrew Shelter.' This institution was 

 founded in 1885, for providing a temporary refuge, and to assist 

 Hebrews en route to America. The Jewish Board of Guardians was 

 founded in London in 1859. According to the report of the British 

 royal commission on alien immigration the policy of this Jewish Board 

 of Guardians is to lessen the pressure of alien immigration upon 

 England. 



They persuade undesirables of their own race by circulars issued 

 abroad, to embark for other countries than England, and if such unde- 

 sirable persons arrive in England, render them assistance, and help 

 them to emigrate to other countries. The majority of the undesirable 

 Jews, thus persuaded and assisted, eventually land in New York. They 

 are a hopeless, poverty-stricken people, fleeing anywhere, without object 



