The Colorado statesman., 1917-06-16
MUST PROTECT ALIENS
JncIe Sans Experts Study Ques-
ton of Americanization.
Proper Employment, Education and
Distribution of immigrants Re-
garded as Essential Factor.

So much has been said since the
breaking off of diplomatic relations
with Germany about hyphenated citi-
zens and the problem of immigration
that this country will have to face at
the conclusion of the great world war
that Uncle Sam considers that subject
as very important at this time. For
that reason the United States bureau
of education has been giving a great
deal of time and study to the matter,
and has come to the conclusion that
the Americanization of the alien is a
process of adjustment to American
conditions.
| Experts of the bureau who have
studied the problem from all sides are
of the opinion that number of fac
tors contribute to such a process.
Among other things the experts point
out the need of protection of the alien
from exploitation and defraudation by
private bankers, steamship ticket
agents, employment agents, and many
others who are apt to play upon the
| ignorance of these immigrants.
Another matter that has forced its
attention on the investigators in this
connection is the proper employment
of the immigrant. 1t has been found
that a substantial proportion of those
immigrating annually are farmers or
unskilled laborers. Coming from farms
and rural districts, these immigrants
generally go into our factories and
shops. Such q proposition, say the ex-
perts is very bad, because, as gen.
eral thing, it leads to their physical
and industrial decline, owing to the
fact that they are not equipped either
by nature or training to enter such a
new field. 1t is the opinion of these
officials that the failure of this country
to direct these men, once they have
been admitted to the country into suit
able occupations is responsible for
many labor difficulties and industrial
tribulations disturbing the United
States from time to time.
Another question in connection with
this Americanization of the alien, they
say, is the matter of distribution. The
aliens should not be directed to "col-
onize" with those from their own
country in our larger cities, but they
should be widely distributed, so that
they will come in closer contact with
the people of the country and this will
help form them into what they should
ultimately reach.
Education, however, the experts
point out, is the most potent factor to-
ward intoxicating American ideals
and impulses into these newly arrived
immigrants. The English language
and knowledge of the civic forces of
the country are indispensable, they
say, to the alien in adjusting himself
| to America.
Naturalization the last factor in
Americanization, and it is less impor-
tant, according to those making the
study. 1t is merely the legal pro-
cedure, they point out, applied after
the other factors have exercised their
| full influence upon the alien. Being
the final step, however, it is necessary
that the standard of qualification
should be high, and that the process of
Americanization actually be contrib
uted to, not hindered. The bureau is
urging the hearty cooperation of all
interested public and private agencies
to work together in complete educa-
tional program of Americanization.