The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-06-18
MAY TELL ALIENS
| ABOUT OUR LAND.
Mayor Receives Letter Which sua-
gests Holding Of Amerlcaniza-
tlon Day Here July
Fourth
IDEA STARTED IN EAST
immigration Commissioned Suggests
Combination Of Sane Fourth
and Americanizatlon
Ideas
IDEA STARTED IN EAST

a lcLLer mas been written co mayor
Moorhead from the National Ameri-
canizatton day committee. relative to
the celebration of Fourth Of July as
an Americanization day. The Gate
City last night explained the PROPOSE
ton as members Of the 8. A. R. So
ciety here have received the pros
pectus. The mayors letter Is along
the same line. The letter was refer
red to the mayor from the Keokuk
Industrial association which had the
first correspondence.
Enclosed with the letter is a copy
Of letter being sent by Frederic G.
Howe, commissioner of immigration,
tail as follows:
Of significant civic demonstration
that is being carried out by large
number OF cities and that may be of
value to you in connection with the
Fourth of July celebration in your
city. I refer to the citizenship re-
ceptions," or new voters day" which
the cities Of Philadelphia, Cleveland,
Baltimore and Los Angeles have re-
Gently held as Anal step in the
naturalization of foreign-born aliens.
Each year large numbers Of aliens
are admitted to citizenship. The pro-
cedure is for the most part informal,
and Is attended with no recognition
on the part of the community OF its
significance to America and to the
alien. The purpose of the reception is
to give dignity to the ceremony and
at the same time impress its meaning
upon all citizens.
Idea Started in Cleveland.
The idea arose in Cleveland in 1914
when the sane Fourth committee"
assumed the responsibility for a pro-
gram arranged by committee repre-
senting all local patriotic and civic
organizations. Through the clerks of
naturalization, the names and ad-
dresses OF aliens admitted to citizen
ship the preceding year were Sc
cured. and invitations for the rccep-
tion were sent to each. At the recep-
ton, each new citizen on entering the
auditorium and showing his ticket,
was presented with small American
flag and also seal button OF the city
with the word "Citizen" upon it. A
platform decorated with the flags of
all nations was reserved to seat the
new citizens. The audience itself
was secured by general publicity
through the newspapers. which gladly
gave publicity to the idea. The pro-
gram opened with national airs This
was followed with the unfurling of a
large American flag, the Star Span
gled sBanner" being sung and the
"Pledge of Allegiance" being recited
in unison. Officials representing the
nation, state and city made addresses,
followed by speech of appreciation
by one Of the prominent foreign-born
The significance of such receptions
given on the Fourth of July is obvi-
Gus. Should they become national in
scope, they should have great civic |
value. am sending you this infor
nation with the thought that you may
desire to appoint a mayors committee
for the organization of such recep- |
ton in your city in connection with
whatever exercise may be held on the
Fourth Of July. |,
A national Americanization day |
is being organized which |
will furnish Information and answer
Inquiries. I would appreciate an ex-
preston Of your ideas on this plan.