The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-10-05
BOARD OF TRADE HAS OPPORTUNITY
 TO HELP ALIENS
Commissioner of Immigra-
 tion Points Out Need of Q Cooperation.

Richard K. Campbell, commission CT of naturalization, has written to the Bridgeport board of trade asking the cooperation of this, as he has of hun dreds of other similar bodies through out the country in making it possible for seekers after naturalization rights in America to fulfill their ambitions. MT. Campbell's suggestions as to the cooperation it Is possible for such bodies as the board of trade to ex- tend to the immigrants seeking citi- zenship are along the lines of educa- tional endeavor. The letter follows: The Board of Trade,
 Bridgeport, Conn.
 Dear Sir: '
 The Bureau of Naturalization, by the authority of the Department of Labor, is now forwarding to the public school authorities of your city the names and addresses of foreigners re- siding in your city who, by filing natl uralization papers recently, have sig nified their intention to become cit izens of the United States. The names and addresses of the wives of these foreigners who are married have also been sent, as under our laws the naturalization of the husband confers citizenship upon the wife.
 A letter has also been mailed by this Bureau to each one of these men and women, pointing out the advantages to be derived from instruction in the pub lie night schools, and urging them, for their own betterment, to attend the classes. N
 IV of f{c n hn of material assistance to candidates for citizenship in the matter of teaching them English, civil government, his tory, citizenship duties and responsi- bilities, and kindred subjects, the Bu- reau now has in course of preparation a students textbook, which, when completed will be distributed to the candidates free of charge. There will also be distributed for the use of the teachers engaged upon this work an Outline Course in Citizenship"
 The Bureau seeks your cooperation in the matter of influencing the can- didates for citizenship to attend the classes which have been organized for their instruction. In order that the maximum attendance of the ,candi- dates at the evening classes in the public schools may be secured. the ef- foEs of the Bureau in bringing about this result by addressing individual appeals to the prospective citizens and their wives must be supplemented by the efforts of local agencies, or the full benefits will not be realized. by all who need this educational training. For this reason, the Bureau is address ing this communication to you.
 Your organization, of course, is in a better position than the Bureau to devise ways and means to accomplish this object. However, it might not be amiss to state the manner in which other organizations have extended their support in this matter. Those experiences may suggest means of op- eration on the part of your organiza- ton in securing the attendance of for eigners in your city at the schools. Among the means employed are, se- curing the publication in the local press, and particularly the foreign press, of news in connection with the educational movement undertaken by the Federal Government, through the Bureau of Naturalization; prevailing upon employers of foreign labor to en- courage their employees to attend the classes; and making direct personal appeals to the candidates to attend the schools. For the latter purpose, the names and addresses of the aliens who have filed naturalization papers, which names and addresses are fur nished by this Bureau to the public school authorities, have been obtain ed from the latter, thereby affording a means of personal contact with the candidates for citizenship.
 Of course, the character of organi- zation involved and varying local con- ditions will enter largely into the ques- ton of what means may be best em- plOyed to accomplish the deslreo re- suits.
 That the problem of educating and instructing foreigners, undertaken by the Federal Government, is an fm- mense one, is attested by the following figures: According to the last cen sus and subsedNent immigration fig ures, there are approximately sixteen and one-half million foreign-born resi- dents in this country. Of these. about three and a half millions have been naturalized. The remaining millions, though a vital part of the nation, have not been aOm1LIGu lulO IHS UOuy pun tic. However, it is not only impor- tant that this vast number of for eigners shall be clothed with the title of citizens, but that they shall be pre- pared to discharge the obligations and responsibilities that are the functions of true citizenship. To bring about this state of preparation, they must be educated and Instructed in the ba- sic subjects, as hereinbefore suggested to be embodied in the students text book.
 The public evening school are now open for the purpose of carrying on this work, and the Bureau most ear nestly beseeches your cooperation in the matter of influencing candidates in your city to attend the schools. so far as the facilities of, your organi- zation will permit.
 Please advise the Bureau as to what cooperation may be expected from you.
 Very truly yours,