Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-22

ca 10 US seating capacity, Sunday
 night to hear Mayor Allyn L. Brown, Superintendent of Schools Edward J.
 Graham and Benjamin F. Evarts, of
 Boston, immigration director of the
 Y. M. H. A.. who all spoke along the
 lines of immigration and American citizenship. The meeting was held
 under the auspices of the Young
 Mems Hebrew Association
 Abraham Curland, director of the
 educational department of the local
 Y. M. H. A.. presided at the meeting Mayor Allyn L. Brown, who extended his own greeting as well as the greet ings from the city. The mayor em- phasized citizenship and spoke of the wonderful progress this country has made which is due largely to the fact that this is a republican form of gov- ernment. A government by the peo- pie themselves. While the govern ment by the people was the strength of a democracy such as we have also 1t is a source of great danger If She people fail to accept the responsibility. The mayor referred to the change of old times which is due to immigration and to a great number of people who are born here and who have failed to assume the responsibilities of citi- zenship. He also referred to the growth of professional politics and said the human characteristic of greed and selfishness is present in
 nank1nQ as usual.
 Mayor Brown illustrated his point by taking an example right here in our own city. People want to use the highways for business purposes by for their benefits. Another example was of national character such as the monopoly by corporations. In fact the only way to meet these difficul ties is to become a citizen and as- sume the responsibilities of citizen ship. So each one can have his vote to get a good government by the peo- pie. He referred to the fact that any eryone is a share holder. You are the investor and share holder and it is your folly to let others attend 70 the business. He drew an example from a private business.
 Mayor Brown urged all to become citizens and after becoming citizens not only to think of public questions but vote when they have the opportu- nifty. Hold office if you have the op- portunity and if you become an office holder see that the law is enforced. If you take the oath of citizenship, live up to it.
 Superintendent Graham Speaks.
 Chairman Curland next introduced the town schools, who said one of the greatest problems confronting America today is the Americanization of the alien. Americanization of the
  alien to American conditions. There are five factors which contribute. The first is the protection from expOrta- ton and defraudation by bankers, agents, etc.; second, the proper employment of the immigrant; third, the distribution; fourth, educa- tion; fifth, naturalization. The Unit ed States department of education is doing all it is able to promote the ed- ucation of the alien. In the fall of 1915-1916 the department sent out a pamphlet printed in eight different l languages. It was called Campaign l cles in the pamphlet were the follow | ing: Learn English; attend night | school, it means better opportunity l and better home: it means a better | and your children: it means better | America. In our night school elernen- | tary classes are conducted for teach | ing the language to the immigrant. l are open to the young women of the | city and town. A special class in cit | is conducted for the purpose | of preparing men to become American | citizens. The principals of our Amer | ican government together with com- rnunity civics are taught. The two tasks which confront public schools of today are first to teach our pupils | to think clearly, second to give our | young people a chance in community | service. These opportunities are of- | fered in the night school
 The last speaker of the evening was Benjamin F. Evarts of Boston, the Y. | M. H. A. director of immigration in | New England.
 Purpose of the Y. M. H. A.
 Director Evarts explained the pur- pose Of the Y. M. H. A., which was l organized to help the Jewish people. | The Jewish people of this city, said MT. Evarts, should encourage and help these young men who are laboring for this good cause. We are interested in l the progress and the education of the | Jewish people, he said The associa- ton was primarily organized to help our people, and much time is spent in this purpose. MT. Evarts gave an outline of active work which he has | the new year, stating that there was no compensation, but all that they ask is appreciation and cooperation. You elderly men here ought to nelp these young men to success. Where are the young men today in the synagogue? You should get a Y. M. H. A. build ing and get the young men interested The future or our religion % . IS aoomea , that we will remain true to our re- ligion. You have in this city one of the finest Jewish communities I was ever in and you should Loyalty support the r. M. H. A.
 No man is a true American unless he is true to his religion. If a Jew Is not a good Jew he is not good citizen. In New England the '. M. H. A. has various departments of work, such as the educational department, ! which is for the purpose of educating | the Jewish people in the forms of lec- lures; then there Is the religious | schools. This is the department which trains the Jewish children in history, | etc, and Sunday school work. They are also, taught the principles of re- Iigion and ethics. We have also a training school that is conducted by l 
 Boys Club Department.
 The boys club department is some what interesting and has shown much progress, as for instance, the Y. M. H. A. boys club which is located in the west end of Boston's Jewish com- 
 Fhe army and navy department has been organized only recently. When the president issued a call for the mil litia to serve on the border there were thousands of Jewish boys who answer ed the call. When the Jewish holi-