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INDIANA UNIVEKSITY 



The question naturally arises, why do these men want to live 

 in such large groups! The investigation brought out that in 

 each little group of these men there was some common bond of 

 union. They are not only of the same nationality, but they 

 come from the same town, or were relatives or personal friends 

 in their native land. Every week or month there are new ar- 

 rivals. If a group of them come from the same district they re- 

 main together, occupying a common house in this country. Fre- 

 quently also one or two men will come to America to join their 

 friends or relatives. No matter how croAvded are the conditions 

 under which these people are living, they will always make room 

 for the newcomers. The tie of friendship or blood is far stronger 

 than any theories of healthful living which may be implanted in 

 their minds. 



People who are familiar with conditions among these for- 

 eigners, and I trust also even those who know nothing of the 

 situation but what they gain from this brief sketch, are all im- 

 pressed with the idea that there is great need of improvement. 

 Considering the question from a purely selfish standpoint the 

 people of Indianapolis cannot afford to alloAV such conditions 

 to exist. The danger of contagious diseases or pestilence is too 

 great. Any epidemic which gains a foothold here would spread 

 like fire over the west end of the city. 



Taking a broader social view of the qaestiou, it is evident 

 that such conditions should not be suffered to exist. If immi- 

 gration to America is to be open to all nationalities and classes 

 of people without restriction, the people who come here will 

 have a marked effect upon future generations of American peo- 

 ple. Many of their habits and customs will stay with them for 

 generations, changing a little under new conditions, but remain- 

 ing fundamentally the same. Our customs and traditions will be 

 likewise modified by theirs. These people by naturalization, and 

 their descendants by birth, will be American citizens. Should 

 American citizens live or be permitted to live under conditions 

 such as these? 



How are new conditions to be brought about? By educa- 

 tion? Doubtless, to a certain extent. But the education of peo- 

 ple like these to a point where they will desire to live hygien- 

 ically, is a slow process, too slow for our present needs. We 

 need stringent laws and strict laAV enforcement. These people 

 cannot comprehend what they should do or why they should do 



