Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-25

NEW YORK. June 1l-Frnnk Truln-
bull has been elected chairman OF the
characterization Day committees Percy
r. Pync. H.. Mrs. Edward r Stotes-
bury. Philadelphia. and william
Sprouie. San Francisco. have been made
vice chairnlen. and William Fcllowcs
Morgan. treasurer. The chairman was
empowered TO add members TO consti-
tute the officers and executive COM
mittec.
The program OF work approved will
include the following plans:
Requests TO cities TO have citizen
ship receptions as part OF their regular
Fourth OF July exercises, Invitations to
be sent to new citizens Officially and
through the school children on Flag
Day. upon which occasion the advan-
taGcs OF citizenship. learning English
and civics and participating more fully
in American life Will he emphasized.
'Ncirhborhood meetings In the com
muuitics where no celebration is TO be
held, at which American employers or
ncirhbors will be hosts. This viii be
especially helpful in labor colonies.
camps, and other isolated communities
remote from cities.
"A bureau Of information for the pur-
pose OF furnishing programs, informa-
tion and assistance 10 committees.
speakers, and organizations.
News service for purposes OF gem
eral education IN CltlIcnSHip.
In announcing its plans and the rea-
sons for undertaking them. the COM
mittee said:
There are over 100000 men in this
country old enough To vote who were
born In other lands. There are prob
ably 100000. to be more accurate; Tor
this was the count in 1910. These form
% per cent of the male population old
enough to vote. Less than half OF
them are naturaliZed.
This is what that means: at least
100000 are In this country, but are
not Of It; they are rank outsiders. come
from the outside and kept on the out
sidc-on the outside of work, of civic
opportunity, of some of the greatest
forms Of human endcavor. All over
this country scattered little groups are
suffering because they are shut out
from our Preside, and sore because they
are not welcomed, are not wanted, are
not allowed to take their place and be
men at home. This vast army is being
wasted; it's power for service and sta
bilitv is lost why not mobilize this
army-for peace and life, not war and
death? why mot develop thoroughly
trained. intelligent. competent. unified
country out of the incoherent. hostile
elements showing all too clearly in 1t
now?
I'VE have gone for, century on the
theory that every one who landed in
America became 'aincrlcahlZea. IhiS IL
no more true. Masses of men and
women with no chance to become
assimilated are so many dead spots In
the fire 1t Is time for us TO shake
down the ashes and rake out the
clinkers and open the drafts, so that
the fires of patriotism can burn high
and clear.
This Fourth of July is TO be Ameri-
canization Day, at which time the cities
in America will give receptions to
newly naturalized aliens. inviting i'm
migrants and Americans alike to the
ceremony. 1t is TO be n day on which
we not only welcome new citizens, but
also translate to them the meaning OF
America and suggest ways by which
they can give their best to America
and receive from her the guarantees OF
American citizenship.
ITO bring immigrants to understand
and accept the responsibility for the
privileges OF citizenship, the commit