The Nenana daily news. (Nenana, Alaska) 1918-1921, 1918-05-11
HENDERSON Will
MAKE EFFORT TO
GET SCHOOL FUND

returned to Juneau recently from
his attendance at the public school
conference held at Atlantic City,
stopped off at Washington, D. c.,
and, according to Juneau news
papers, believes his work in Wash
ington will result in Alaska securing
her portion of the recent appropria-
ton, amounting to over $1O,000,000
made for the purpose of giving spe-
cial instruction to the foreign-bor
of the United States, who number
around one-third of the population
of the United States with the ex-
pres purpose of educating them to
their duties as American citizens.
Out of the first draft of 100000
in number, 100000 were disquali-
fled on account of 'illiteracy, and of
the 35,000,000 foreign-born in
America 100000, or around per
cent, are found to be illiterate.
Had Been Overlooked.
When Mr.. Henderson went to
Washington he found that none of
this huge appropriation was availa-
BILE for Alaska, and he Immediately
began taking up the Importance of
! giving Alaska her share The first
appropriation, amounting to $780,
900, is to be used at the discretion
| of the United States Bureau of
Education in the States, and is for
the purpose of carrying on a cam
paign among the American school
children with the idea of training
them along the lines of good citi-
zenship and Loyalty to the Stars
and Stripes.
The second appropriation of $780,
100000 for the use of the different
, states, was appropriated with the
provision that the states each appro-
pirate an amount equal to the
amount they receive. The ten
million appropriation is to be re-
newed yearly for five years.
This appropriation of $1O,OOO,OO0
yearly amounts to about 81 cents
each for foreigners, and is to be dis
tributed in the various states in
proportion to their foreign-born
population. The foreign-born popu-
lation of Alaska is estimated at one
half her white population, or from
$4,000 to 10000 persons.
Patriotism of Alaskans.
Mr.. Henderson states that the
war activity displayed by the people
in Alaska compares very favorably
with that of those of the people
in the States.
However," he says, "the people
in the States are much nearer the
scenes of activity and troops; evil
dences of war preparations are seen
daily, which has tendency to make
the people more alive to the situa-
ton than the people in Alaska. But
while the talk on the streets and
everywhere one goes is war, and
more war, l do not think they are
doing any more than the Alaskans
in purchasing Liberty bonds, Red
Cross work and kindred relief work"
One thing he noted was that
everyone seemed determined to see
the war fought to a successful finish.
Care for Crippled Men.
/ There was an able address given
at the schol conference at Atlantic
City by Major Henderson, who took
up the subject of the necessity of
making adeuate provision for the
returned soldiers. Those who have
this matter in charge have the bene-
fit of the experience of the Allies,
who have now been at war for
nearly four years, and it is likely
similar plans in educating these men
along the lines for which they seem
best qualified, taking their Grip
pied condition into consideration.
School Taxes Discussed.
"The subjects discussed in the
school conference were very inter
esting," said Mr.. Henderson, "and
centered on coordination of public
school work with that of the national
government in this critical hour.
Two phasaS of tho e;fuot;o,, raoo;yoJ