40 
THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM 
home country. From the point of view solely of 
immediate economic gain our country has been prof 
ited by their coming. On the other hand, this profit 
is much greater in the case of 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 modifies profoundly 
the results of their residence here. 
ABILITY TO SPEAK ENGLISH 
Naturally the ease with which people adapt them 
selves to American institutions will depend largely 
upon the readiness with which they master the Eng 
lish language and the likeness of their home institu 
tions to ours. For these reasons 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 fur 
ther measures need to be taken. This is attempted in 
the subsequent discussion.