Jacob A. Riis 1849–1914. The Battle with the Slum. 1902.
Page 216
| after, and the reports show that over eighty per cent of all do well in their new surroundings. This result has been wrought at a per capita expense of twelve dollars, not a very great sum for such a work. |
| In its bold outline the movement contemplates nothing less than the draining of the Ghetto by the indirect process of which I spoke. “The importance of it,” says the Removal Committee in its report for 1901, “is found, not in the numbers removed, but in the inauguration of the movement, which should and must be greatly extended, and which is declared to be of far-reaching significance. The experience of past years has proven that almost every family removed becomes a centre around which immediately and with ever increasing force others congregate. The committee in charge of the Russian immigration in 1890, 1891, etc., has evidence that cities and towns, to which but a very small number of newly arrived immigrants were sent, have become the centres of large Russia-Jewish communities. No argument is needed to emphasize this statement.” |
| It is pleasing to be told that the office of the Removal Committee has been besieged by eager applicants from the beginning. So light is breaking also in that dark corner. |
| There is enough of it everywhere, if one will only look away from the slum to those it holds fast. |