The Washington times., 1915-12-29

less, the aliens OF Kansas City are
Just as slow about becoming citizens az
are those Of Cleveland. Here are the
figures for the two towns:
Kansas City-Population, 2ls, ,3s1; for
eign-born whites, 25,327: naturalized,
6,SS5; illlterates OF voting age, 1904;
number OF persons who since the 1910
census have taken out first citizenship
papers. 2,S47; number who have taken
out final papers. 951; number who took
out final papers in the year ended June
30. 1915, 166.
CuyahogR county, Ohio Cpractically
Identical with Cleveland. but makes a
more representative showing for the
purpose Of this comparison). popula-
uon, 63l. .45; foreign born whites, 214,-
1893; or 1876 per cent; foreign born white
males of voting age, 10S, ZOE; naturalIsed,
1916: illiterate males of voting age.
1O,205: number who since 1910 census
have taken out first papers. 19.021; last
papers. 9.15s. Number who took out
nnal papers In the year ended June 30,
1915. 2.066.
Better Chance in Cleveland.
Thus 1t appears that In Kansas City
one out OF every 1sS persons Of alien
birth took citizenship papers in the last
nscal year, while in Cuyahoga county
one out of every 1Os took such papers.
Mlssouri's law allowing aliens to vote
without becoming full citizens would
appear to have DISCOURAGED naturaliza-
uon. There is a 50 per cent better
chance OF an allen in Cleveland taking
1he trouble TO be naturalized than there
Is in Kansas CITY.
A comparison of New York State With
Ohio Is interesting. New York has %
per cent OF foreign born whites in lis
population, while Ohio has only 19II ner
cent. The figures: Ne'
I1tai population-ohio, 4,Ts7,1 ,121; New
Foreign born whites-ohio, 5s7.25;
Foreign born white males OF voting
age-Ohio, S0s.47S; New York, I,2Z1. .O13.
- Naturalized-Ohio. H2. 4c5: New York,
Illiterate males of voting ase-ohio.
&. SlS; New York, 10000
Illiterate foreign born white males of
Voting % age-ohio. $3.50; New York.
Applicants for first citizenship papers
In last five years-ohio, 50, s,75s; Now
Petitions for final papers in last flve
years-Ohio, 1850; New York. 1881.
Petitions for final papers in the last
year-Ohio, 4.272: New York, "a. $50.
II would appear that the alien popli-
lation OF New York is a good deal more
Interested in gaining citizenship than IS
that of Ohio: for last year one out OF
final papers. and only one out OF every
145 In Ohio did It.
Situation in Iowa.
Iowa might fairly he regarded as 9
pretty thoroughly American State; yet
It has l2.2 per cent OF its population
foreign-born; and last year only one
In every 22S of its foreign-born popula-
ton took out final citizenship papers
Summarizing, it appears that in New
York state, last year, one alien in every
100 became a citizen; in Cuyahoga
county. one out, of every 1OS
in Ohio, yone out OF every 145; II
Kansas City. one out of every 15s; in
Iowa, one out of every 228 The ten.
dency to naturalize appears proper,
tionately best in places where the for
eign population is largest. Kansas
naturaliZed. last year. one out OF every
1856 of it's aliens.
The effort of the Naturalization Blu
reau is to better these records; tC
hasten naturalization everywhere; q
make the new citizens intelligent, lit
crate, and understanding. To this EN-
II is organizing its big educationa-
campaign.