Why did Jurgis and the family agree to go to America?

When Jurgis arrives at Ona's place, he finds that Ona’s father has died, leaving the family estate in disarray. Teta Elzbieta had managed to save seven hundred roubles of the family fortune, but all else had been lost. Because she loves Teta Elzbieta, Ona decides she could not marry, and Jurgis decides that they all should instead make a new life in America.

Promises higher wages