Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-11-09
FOREIGNERS AND AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP.

FOREIGNERS AND AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP.
The Bureau Of Naturalization of the United States
Department Of Labor is sending out calls for mass
meetings to be held throughout the country in every
city and town whose population includes the foreign
born The time for each mass meeting is TO be de-
termned locally by the proper authorities when ar
rangements completed
The Bureau OF Naturalization Of the United States
Department OF Labor has during the past two and one
half years proposed four events great in admnstra-
tive governmental activities:
The first the securing OF the cooperation OF
the public schools OF the United States with that bu-
in citizenship preparedness
The second the proposal to the city Of Philadelphia
to hold the Citizenship Recreation which the Pres
dent spoke May 10. 1915.
The third, the holding of Citizenship Convention
in Washington composed OF delegates from the public
schools working in cooperation with that bureau for
the elevation OF the standard OF American citizen
ship.
The fourth proposal from this progressive govern
mental bureau is to call mass meeting OF citizens
and prospective citizens, including the actual candi
dates for citizenship and the non-candidates from the
ioregn-born residents Of each community in the
United States These meetings are primarily
for the purpose OF getting the candidates for citizen
ship into the night school classes maintained bv the
public schools in cooperation with the Bureau Of Ma
turalization. for their benefit.
"o'Ains IN close cooperation with the Bureau of
Naturalization Of the United States Denartmont =,
Labor the public school authorities OF tho United
States have provided the means whereby tho aar,t
amen population may learn to speak read and write
the English language and obtain knowledpe NJ An,or
lean institutions and government The results Tins
m nave been most far-reaching in their influence upon
ne Pubic mind The necessity for these citizenship
cases mas been seen in every city with foreign com
munity and demonstrated by their organization in
every State OF the Union. The advantage 10 the com
muniy is realized but the alien friend does NOT under
stand what they mean to him. Il to bring the bene
nus clearly TO their minds that these mass meetings
nave oeen called by the Naturalization Bureau II is
esseha that the attendance these night classes
De materially increased in all sections of the conn
try This it is confidently believed can he accom-
pshed through mass meeting for adult foreigners 10
DC held in every city in conjunction with the CITY an
thortes and public spirited citizens generally. At
which time the benefits to be derived through course
OF study at the night schools may be clearly and forc
bly, placed before the foreign-born
Moreover, these mass meetings have for their oh
jecve the elevation of the standard Of American Cliff
zenshp in the eyes OF the public representing tbe
resident alien body citizens by BIRTH the school an
thortes and the judiciary The courts OF the I1ned
States stand ready to recognize any elevation OF the
standard OF qualifications for admission to citizen
snip when those qualifications have been demonstrated
as possible OF attainment by the public school locally
To insure the success OF this nationwide movement
for the bettement Of civic conditions the Bureau Of
Naturalization has asked the cooperation OF the va
rious commercial labor patriotic and other organza-
tions, together with the superintendent of schools
civil authorities, clerks OF naturalization courts and
officials Of local foreign racial associates The
Federal authorities OF the Department OF Labor be-
eve that the time is ripe TO strike an effective blow
at illiteracy and incompetency by stimulating the in
erest Of employers and employees foreign and native
born men, women and children in the great national
problem OF alien instruction and citizenship prepared
ness.
These mass meetings will permit of a full and free
discussion OF the vital points involved. The facilities
offered by the local public schools be made known
TO the resident foreignbom and action taken to in
sure their attendance upon the night classes provided
for their benefit
There are approximately sixteen and one-half million
foreign born residents in this country Of which only
about three and half million have been naturalized
according to the last and subsequent immigra
ton figures The remaining Millions although vital
part Of the nation have been admitted TO the body
polite and ignorant Of the duties and caous TO
the responsibilities OF citizenship. II is only through
education that this vast army OF foreign friends can
become Americanized. and TO this end the Federal
and the public school authorities Of the
United States have joined forces.
In addition to this, however and working in com
concerted effort behalf Of these millions Of foreign
ers now ignorant OF American life and and un-
enlightened to the privileges responsibilities
which citizenship would confer