Evening journal., 1918-12-18
New Lusfre for De aware
Under Service Citizens
CONTINUED from page two.)

Continued from page two.)
John O. Townsend. Jr, that attendance
at conference OF governors In An
napollsh necessitated his absence, and
expressed the regret OF the conference
that Secretary OF State Everett C. John
son, while present, was prevented by
III health from speaking. Mr.. Raskob
spoke as follows:
"The State Council OF Defense began
It's Americanization program as a war
measure. The war did not create but
brought f0rcibly to our attention the
need OF this work that already exist
ed. In the first draft, 10000 men were
sent to camps who could not read
signs, nor understand instructions, and
IL was necessary TO form development
battalions for them. At a conference OF
leaders under Secretary Lane, 1t was
decided TO ask State and local COM
munty cooperation with the federal
government. Industries were asked to
Cooperate, and adequate funds provld-
ed. A ruling was made that elementary
Service Citizens should take over this
ilsh only.
There are 1880 foreign-born in Del
aware. State data has been secured as
20 foreign population. housing condl-
iIons, the tendency OF foreign papers
read in this State, investment oppor-
tunltles for foreigners, English classes
for foreign drafted men have been
started, and an Amerlcanizatlon insti-
tute held, at which the best lecturers
on the subject have spoken. The Eng
lish classes have been suspended tenn
porarily following the armlstice. Local
draft boards cO-operated with the de-
fense council. It is fitting that the
service citizens should take over this
work and that It should first be con-
summated In the FIRST State to enter
The Union"
Mr.. Germain Discusses Labor.
General Manager C. f. German, OF
the Harlan Plant OF the Bethlehem
Shinbuilding Corporation, said In part
The subject OF Americanization In
plants doing a strictly war business has
not received sufficient attention, be-
cause during the war IL took most OF
our time explaining to a competitor
that we were not trying TO steal his
men. Besides. the necessity OF having
the plant make some money rather
limited an officials field OF vision. For
an untrammeled paying attention to
ideals, would. like a position like
Judge Gray's, where there Is not the
possibility OF getting fired.
Fright now, we are running into a
considerable shortage Of common labor
The general way to pOpularize common
labor, is TO increase the pay. We can't
try that method as the question OF
wages Is determined by the United
States Shipping Board.
"We have adopted a course In Eng
1ish for Poles and Italians as an in
ducement to bring men 10 the plant,
or persuade those already there to
stay. We have a clever little paper IS
sued at the plant, and we are running
an Italian and Polish column in II.
"We had turnover OF labor last
week equivalent TO 1900 per cent in one
year. When you consider that It costs
$40 or $50 every time a man Is hired,
it Is evident that Il will be impossible
10 compete with foreign countries for
labor. with such a turnover.
"The Amerlcsnizatlon program should
include improved living conditions for
workmen, Increased investment oppor-
tunlties. incentives TO save and not
spend. as many OF them do. The mems
lack OF English results In a great num-
ber OF Industrial accidents, and a loss
OF money from misunderstanding OF
directions.
1T Is my belief that this lack Of Eng
lsh on the part Of so many In this
country Of foreign birth was one OF the
things the President was up against
when he was slow TO declare war. The
employer OF labor is probably in bet
ter position than anyone else to un-
dersfand the alien workman. Every
local plaft should do its share in this
AmerIeanlzatiOn work. The Harlan
plant Is agreeable 10 tackling the prop
osItion whole-heartedly In whatever
wav the committee shall desire. The
State Of Delaware will benefit mate
rally from the program"
John s Rossell, President Of the Sc
curIty Trust and Safe Deposit Company,
smoke OF Americanization from the
viewpoint OF the bankers. He said, In
part:
to the foreign-born and OF great con-
sideration in regard TO his handicap In
understanding our fraternsl government
and his difficulty in learning the Eng
lish ldloms.
"Our president is now receiving an
ovation in Europe such as has been ac-
corded to no crowned head. This shows
that the people Of Europe are taking
notice Of what America has TO o1er
them
"It is my opinion that we can fnd
some OF the truest, most helpful and
desirable patriots among our foreign
born citizens.
"The solidity Of the national banking
system In America is in contrast to the
banking conditions the foreigner mas
found in Europe. In regard to the
banks in this city can say that our
doors are wide open to the foreign
born. In the savings banks and trust
companies Of Wilmington, there Is a
very large deposit from foreigners.
When the foreigner deposits money In
the bank. he does not withdraw 1t, but
adds TO It. The American does not
understand the advantages Of thrift and
saving TO the extent the foreigner does,
who has been trained TO IL.