The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-07-23
CONVERTING FOREIGNERS
INTO AMERICAN CITIZENS

cations are becoming aroused all over
the country, and are anxious TO have
share in. this important education
al and Amerlcanzation work.
Texts in English.
The division has prepared compro-
hensive lists Of texts in English for
foreigners with separate groupings
for the more important languages. The
, combined list includes specific titles
| reaching sixteen different foreign peo-
pies. A Croatian or Pole writes TO
| this office-not infrequently in his ma
tive language-asking for a text that
he can use for learning English. The
division is in position to handle his
letter and to furnish the information
desired.
A plan OF cooperation has been
worked out in conjunction with the
bureau OF immigration whereby the
names Of childrn between four and
sixteen years of age will be sent by
the federal authorities at the port Of
entry to the educational authorities
Of the localities where the immigrant
family proposes to settle. In this way
the machinery is started to head off
! illiteracy and inability to speak En-
glish among the children Of the al
len. All now depends upon the watch
fulness with which the local authori-
ties follow up the information put at
their disposal.
Circular Letters.
Circular letters have been sent out
to school authorities suggesting ways
and means of organizing evening
school classes. How to Organize Citi-
zenship Glasses for Immigrants"
Suggestions 10 Principals and Teach
ers OF English for Foreigners" New
York State and the Americanization
Problem" are some Of the more i'm
portant Of these.
A civics syllabus for use in even
ing school classes for foreigners has
lor some months.
1t will shortly be published.
In accordance with a suggestion
from Secretary Redfeld Of the depart
ment OF commerce, transmitted through
the regular official channels, "A Hand
look for Citizens" is now being pre-
pared in this division which will give
brief, concise description Of the
various branches, departments and sub
divisions Of the government and the
relationship existing between the fed
eral and state governments and be-
tween this country and foreign coun-
tries. While such a compilation will
be Of immense value to the foreigner
to whom our civil and political organ
ization seems a hopeless maze, it is
equally intended for the use Of the
ordinary American citizen, whose
knowledge on some of these points
is not always perfectly clear.
Opportunities Embraced.
Every opportunity has been en-
braced to promote educational facili-
ties. AS a part of the cooperative
plan OF the bureau Of education for
promoting education in the state Of
Delaware, this division followed out
a fixed program in promoting the es-
adjustment Of evening school facili-
ties for adult aliens in Wilmington.
Through its efforts, local co-operat-
| ing committee was formed, local in
terest was aroused, and publicity
plan formulated and carried 10 sue
cessful completion. Evening schools
were opened on January 3, 1916. The
schools are being financed by private
subscription after the city council had
refused to appropriate $1,000 request
ed in order to carry on the work Adult
| immigrants in Wilmington are now
| enjoying opportunities for learning
English where before such opportun-
tiles were denied them Courses sug-
gested by this division are being fol-
lowed by these classes.
In November, 1915, a petition signed
by sixty-five Lithuanians Of Melrose
Park, ILL.,, was addressed to the bu-
reau praying for the establishment OF
an evening school wherein they might
learn English. This was officially
brought to the attention of the school
authorities in Melrose Park, and in
December they agreed to provide the
school.
CO.Operates with States.
The division is also cooperating
with the Pennsylvania state depart
ment Of education in establishing di-
visions Of vocational guidance under
various city bureaus Of compulsory
attendance and by asserting in the
formulation Of policies, rules and reg
ulations applicable to such divisions.
BY special request the chief of the
division participated in working out
a method OF cooperation between the
Pennsylvania department Of labor and
industry and the United States bureau
of immigration for the joint mainte-
nance Of a state system Of labor ex-
changes. By special arrangement also
the chief Of the division acts in a
consulting capacity to the Pennsyl-
vania commissioner Of labor and in
dustry and supervlses the work OF the
division of immigration in the Penn
sylvania bureau Of employment
One point should stand out clear
" from the foregoing-that the d.
" from the oregoing-that the divis-
alone as it has to enlist the co-opera-
ton Of individuals. public authorities,
organizations and industrial corpora
tions who are or ought to be interest
ed in the work in hand. This proceed