Evening journal., 1915-12-27

The work of the National American
ization Committee was discussed re-
Gently by Frank Trumbull, chairman
of the board Of directors Of the Chesa-
peake G. Ohio Railroad and also Of
the National Americanization Com
mittee. in the following paper;
II has come home to us that we are
a country full of unassimilated groups
within-groups with varying social
ideals. varying languages, varying
ideas OF American citizenship and 10y
altv to America. But the situation be-
fore lie is in all essentials the same
which has confronted us for years and
which we have refused to face.
This is a very complex matter But
certain aspects of it and certain meth
ods by which it can be attacked are
very definite and simple, and II Is
these with which we must first OF all
be concerned. There are really three
groups OF the foreign-born IN TINS
country. There are very few edu-
Gated in our language and institutions,
often possessing double lOyaltes, and
sometimes dual citizenship. There
are many who. though born abroad are
naturalized citizens, speaking our
language, knowing our institutions,
whose Americanism is as intense as
ours. They belong shoulder to shoul-
der with us, and IL is an insult 10
group them separately.
But there are hundreds Of thousands
OF others without knowledge OF our
language, with no understanding OF
our social or industrial standards, and
no aDproach to citizenship. Some OF
them have been here for years. They
operate American machines and re-
ceive American pay envelopes. but
on the road to becoming so. In many
4heV are not American nor are they
cases they have not even by this time
acquired an interest in becoming so.
There are two things that they need
20 be shown. First, that II IS 70
their advantage to become American
citizens. maintaining American stand
ards OF living, able to understand the
English language; and, secondly, tha5
America has a right to expect them
10 become Americanized. and-grant-
cd the facilities for it are provided
the right to require it.
Now. this is the cruX Of the whole
matter-thc facilities have not been
nrovided. And this is a fundamental
reason for the existence of our Ma
tional Americanization Committee,
THE immigrant living and working in
fhis country owes something to this
Government. But il he owes us
Americanigation, we owe him the
means to attain it. In the process
of Americanization let us not forget
the burden of proof is on us-our pub
lie schools. our industries, our COM
munities.
Even in the States with the newest
immigration there are not nign'
school facilities for more than one I'M
migrant in ten. How many industries
require or are interested in having
American standards or the English
language previl among their work
men? How many communities MAKE
sure that American standards OF liV-
ing prevail at the immigrant end o.
town make sure that il has the same
water supply, the same system 81
garbage disposal, the same enforce
ment of housing laws? In how mani
courts is the immigrant assured by
nroper impartial interpreters OF tina
emalitv before the law due all resi-
dents in this country?
Americanization is a complex mat
Ter and there are many approache'
10 II Il must be a slow and thorough
nrocess IL it is TO be complete. Bu
there can be no doubt about the frs
steps-the English language and tn
principles of American citizenship.
Neither night schools nor the agi
tation for them is new. They hav
long been a respectable side line ii
public school extension work The
have never been a general, necessary
and inevitable part of a city system
a legitimate and important division Il
public policy.
THAT is the new thing. And tina
represents the spirit and intention O
the National Americanization Com
mittee TO show communities every
where the broad civic scope OF thi
matter of educating its adult immi
grants. make it the task of statesman
shin and civic endeavOr. and lift
from the region of welfare an
philanthropy, where it has been side
tracked. into its rightful place as
fundamental part of our domesti
policy
In working out this program in va
ious communities the National Amer
canization Committee has, therefor
appealed with conviction to ever
force in the city life-to government
boards Of Education. chambers
commerce. separate industries. tt
Detroit Board of Commerce, with u
co-operation of the COMMITTEES
conducted this fall four-weeks' can
paign to flood the night school wit
fho non -T7uoIich eDpa king WOrIxr1ou