Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1916-02-04


Recent advices from Washington
are that througout the entire coun-
try the plan OF the bureau Of natural
ization Of the United states depart
ment OF labor to enlist the coopera.
ton Of public schools IN the education
and d'Americanization OF candidates for
citizenship Is receiving the most graft
flying support. Approximately 400
cities and towns have already joined
IN this nationwide educational move.
ment for the elimination Of the hy-
phen and this number is increasing
daily
The magnitude of this work and It's
development since its inception are
shown, in part. by the territory COW
cred, the number OF candidates for
citizenship reached, and the night and
dey schools which have been estab-
lished for their instruction. II is the
intention OF the bureau Of naturaliza;
tiOn TO communicate with all an,
piina rs for citizenship in the United
SAFES, wherever they are to be
found, and to secure the opening OF
classes for them. During the current
scholastic year all superintendent Of
schools where classes may be formed
viii receive monthly from the bureau
the name, address, age, nationality,
and other necessary information con-
cerning each alien residing within
their jurisdictions who files deciara-
tiOn of intention or petition for natu-
ralization. In this manner the school
authorities are enabled to get in touch
with such applicants and afford them
valuable assistance in preparing for
citizenship. In addition to this the
bureau informs each applicant for
citizenship that his name has been
Forwarded to the educational authori-
ties, advises him to go to school, and
points out the benefits to be derived
from such attendance. The bureau Is
also working in close cooperation
with various patriotic and civic bodies
Of the country to secure the opening
Of public night schools where there
are none
The wives of all petitioners for nat
uralization are also advised to attend
school, for the reason that they derive
citizenship when their husbands OBJ
tain their final paers, and because,
too, such instruction will materially
aid the family to live as Americans
live 1t has been found that ap-
proximately two out of every three
petitioners for naturalizations are mar
ried, and it Is toward the improve
ment of the home life and conditions
that this phase of the movement is
especially directed.
The records OF the bureau of natu-
ralization show that since the COM
mencement of the school year on Octo-
ber ] notifications have been sent to
approximately 10000 declarants, 90
900 petitioners. and $4,000 wives of petit
toners, and each day hundreds are
added to the list
The present volume OF naturaliza-
tion shows that over half a million
foreign-born residents annually bring
themselves within the Jurisdiction OF
the bureau of naturalization, and 1t
is the plan OF the bureau, through the
cooperation of the public schools with
It's educational movement, to change
that portion Of the alien body now in
condition of helpless dependence or
mere self-maintenance to the state OF
productive capacity which is the birth
right of all American citizens regard
less of their origin of birth.