THE JEWISH CHRONICLE
22
LITTLE JEWISH IMMIGRATION
TO U. S. AFTER WAR, SAYS
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL.
Jewish Merchants Develop Latest
Department Store
Robinson-Cohen Institution on Hastings Street Is One of De-
troit's Most Complete Retail Establishments—Opening on
Monday, May 22, Draws Large Crowds
That the growth . of Detroit has
brought with it prosperity for her
Jewish merchants was again evi-
denced last Monday at the opening of
the enlarged Robinson-Cohen store,
when 10,000 men, women, and chil-
dren from all parts of Detroit came
to inspect the marvels of this great
retail institution.
Portrait and
Commercial
Photographers
Located on the corner of Hastings
and High streets, this gigantic build-
ing well rivals the greatest downtown
stores. It occupies a half city block
and is three floors in height.
Circling entirely around the first
floor are a series of beautiful display
windows, said by experts to be • the
most effective and artistic in the en-
tire city. The first floor of the store
is devoted to jewelry, furniture, and
dry goods. The second floor is de-
voted to ready-to-wear apparel, and
furniture, while the latter department
again takes up the entire third floor.
Record Crowd Attends.
The opening of the store was an-
nounced broadcast, as the firm has
long desired to draw its patronage
from the city generally, as well as
from the great east side. Although
the opening was not scheduled to
tart until 2 o'clock in the afternoon,
the crowds began to assemble two
hours before that time, until by the
'in‘ the doors were thrown open it
required the efforts of a squad of po-
lice to hold them in check.
But it was a good-natured crowd
•nd the reception that greeted it was
well worthy the effort, it seemed. As
the throngs traveled from one part
of the store to another constant ejac-
ulations of pleasure and surprise
were heard. The people did not real-
ize what a wonderful store this was
that had arisen almost under their
very eyes.
A six-piece orchestra entertained
the visitors and each was presented
with a fitting souvenir of the occa-
sion. The entire first floor was banked
with floral gifts from friends of the
firm—about 50 elaborate pieces pro-
viding a veritable feast for the eyes,
The success of the great store is
a direct tribute to Mr. I). Robinson,
one of the leaders in Detroit's Jew-
ish communal life. Mr. Robinson, a
thoroughly self-made man, has never
found it necessary to deviate in any
detail from the strict observance of
his religion. The store is closed on
the sabbath and the employes are
enjoined to observe the day in the
worship of God.
Starting with most meager means,
Mr. Robinson has succeeded in de-
veloping a business that promises to
become one of the city's greatest re-
tail enterprises. Associated with him
are his sons, Louis, Maurice, and
Nathan Robinson, and Mr. H. Cohen.
The Jewish Chronicle congratulates
the Robinson-Cohen Co. and wishes
for it a long and increasingly success-
ful career.
"Give MORE
Than
Your Share"
Speaking particularly of the effect
of the war on Jewish immigration,
C. A. Greenawalt, of the U. S. Bureau
of Immigration, says:
"Since 1899 there have come to the
United States 1,527,246 Jews, an aver-
age of 84,847 a year, The greatest
number coming in any one year was
in 1907, when 149,182 were admitted.
The smallest number, 15,108, came
during the fiscal year ending June 30,
1916. Russia, Austria-Hungary and
Rumania arc the countries from
which Jewish immigrants to the Unit-
ed States are chiefly drawn. Hungary
and Rumania have suffered untold
injury, millions have lost their homes,
many are exiled, wives and children
have been starved or shot, and alto-
gether it would appear there is little
left to bind the survivors to their na-
tive land; yet, as stated, the determin-
ing influence in such matters is usu-
ally the economic conditions; there-
fore, should a high tide of prosperity
attend, as an after-the-war blessing to
those who are left, their attention
may be absorbed by the extremely
interesting process of domestic re-
habilitation, and emigration will then
become a matter of secondary con-
sideration, if, in fact, it should cut
any figure at all. The same is true
in regard to Russia, and she will con-
tribute her share of Hebrew immi-
grants, unless peradventure she
hould prohibit emigration. That
Russia, as well as some other nations,
will take such a stand is altogether
within the range of possibilities; in
fact, there is already an embargo on
emigration in all European countries
except Sweden. Norwali, Denmark,
Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Effect of Russian Revolution.
"Nowhere on the face of the earth
have the Jews been subjected to
greater persecution than under the
tyranny of Russian despotism. This
vast empire, comprising 8,660,395
square miles of.territorv, or one-sixth
of the land surface of the globe, with
its 130,000,000 souls, representing 40
different languages and dialects, the
land of prisoners and jailers; what is
going to happen there? Will the
revolution free the Jew? Lacking the
power of prophetic vision, it is impos-
sible for us to peer into the future
and tell what the fates hold in store,
but, after the chaos of war has ended
and the employments of civilization
again occupy the center of the world's
stage, may we not hope that a new
Russia, chastened by a baptism of
fire, will emerge from an erstwhile
benighted despotism and unshackle
the chains that have been riveted on
her subjects since the days of Peter
the Great?
"Eminent Jewish authorities assert
that if Russia will grant equal rights
to her Hebrew subjects, there will be
no immigration problem insofar as
it applies to the Jews in Russia. That
under such circumstances they would
be content to remain at home. Per-
sonally, I am not sufficiently in-
formed to venture a positive state-
ment in this regard, and am therefore
quite willing to accept the opinion of
those who have made a more diligent
study and analysis of the question
than I have."
,
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