Evening journal., 1916-05-20
AMERICANIzINc THE ALIEN.

A REORGANIZATION is issue that is as alive in
"A Delaware as it is in most Of the other States IN
terest in it is particularly here in Wilmington
where many prominent men and ara engaged
actively in Americanization work.
In this connection it may be well to call public at
tention to what New York State is doing IN a State
basis to Amercanze the alien within it's borders
Statistics show that in 1910 there were $4,000 for
eien-born whites unable 10 speak English in that
commonwealth. and $4,000 who could not read or
write in any language.
The New York State Department of Education has
begun the hrst Statewide campaign 10 abolish these
disabilities. Its program the following pro-
cedure (a) -ascarefu survey of the immigrant educa-
ton situation; Cb) establishment Of training courses
to prepare teachers for the instruction Of foreigners
c) adoption Of standards Of efficiency in pubc-even-
ing school work for adult immigrants; (d) co-opera-
ton with State and Federal agencies; and (o) pubca
ton Of state bulletins.
As preliminary. personal Investigations and nten-
sive study Of certain communities disclosed dark
spots" of iteracy and light spots" in the large in
dustral centres whore efforts were under way to
teach the foreigner English and give him some contact
with American standards and ideals
teachers training institute the preparation OF
teachers of foreigners organized at Albany the
Fall Of 1915. II successful that il decided
TO continue upon permanent basis as part Of the
regular curriculum OF the New York State College for
Teachers Similar Institutes planned for SYRIA
cuse and New York city while training classes are
in operation at Buffalo and Rochester, partly
result Of State encouragement
Cooperation with governmental and private agon-
ces interested i'm educating and Amercanizing the
alien is already established fact statement is
sued by the New York State Department OF Education
shows that the Bureau of Education Of the Department
Of the Interior the Bureaus Of immigration and Ma
uralization of the Department OF Labor and the Ma
tonal Amorcanization Committee Of New York city
among those whose service and material have been
utilized Speakers for institutes have been furnished
by some of these cooperating agencies.
Two publications have already been issued by New
York sate-a Citizenship Syllabus and the Rochester
Plan Of Immigrant Education several thousand Of
the former having been widely distributed
In view of the ebb and flow OF the immigrant tide
as far individual communities cOncemed-for
this foreign population largely follows the economic
demands OF the hour-New York is properly approach
ing this problem from the State point Of view. 1t is
hardly just to throw upon the community the entire
burden of caring for this huctuating alien group. The
Empire State is thus setting example which other
of the so-caed immigration States might well follow.
Those Delawareans who have charge Of the Ameri-
canzaton campaign in this city and State may dnd
in the steps taken New York deal with the prob
lem inspiration which VIII lead to more effective and
far-reachng work i'm our own commonwealth. It is
work well worth doing, and il New York State is to
set the pace. our own State certainly should follow
that lead far as it may be possible to do So