New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-05-02
new BRITAIN Will
HELP Foreigners
Speakers Arouse Enthusiasm al
Chamber Of Commerce Meeting

Americanization plan,. that is being
taken up by the State Council of
Defense, was held at the Chamber
of Commerce last evening. About 90
people We're in attendance and much
enthusiasm was manifested. President
Z. W. Pelton of the Chamber of Com
merce presided and Ernest w. Christ
was named as temporary chairman
and he presided at the meeting. A
telegram was read from Mayor George
A. Quigley stating that owing to the
fact that he was detained out Of town
it would be impossible to be in at
tendance. The Americanization plan
is being taken up by the State Council
of Defense and Stanley III. Holmes,
the local representative of that body,
is one of the active movers in the
work here. In attendance last eve
ming were members of the common
council, directors of the Chamber of
Commerce, school board, members of
the board of finance and taxation and
other representative business men.
Chairman Christ introduced Mr..
Holmes as the principal speaker of the
evening. He said that it was crafty
ing to see so much interest and en-
thusiasm being manifested by the peo
pie of New Britain in this very i'm
portant matter. He said there was no
doubt that New Britain would do it's
share in the movement in keeping
with other cities in the country. IT
was his pleasure, the speaker said,
to be in Washington two weeks ago.
when he met Secretary of the Inter
Tor Lane and with hundreds Of other
representatives Of State Council Of
Defense, the matter of Americaniza-
ton was thoroughly discussed. After
listening to the talk given by Secre
tary Lane. Mr.. Holmes said that he
was more firmly convinced Of the
value of the movement, and as citizens
of New Britain, all persons should
give the subject their careful thought
and attention.
The speaker told Of the informal
ton given in the columns of the Her
aid few weeks ago, concerning the
number of foreign born persons in
this cous'try who do not understand
the language Of this land, nor its ways
or habits. AS long as conditions like
these are permitted to exist, the
speaker said, these same people could
be looked upon as a menace. Mr..
Holmes said that in Hartford the
movement has received such favor
able attention that the council of the
city government has appropriated
$4,000 besides the regular amount
for night schools, to cope with the
situation. In the Capitol city a COM
mittee of 100 citizens has been
the National and State Councils of
Defense. The speaker concluded by
stating that the elements of the Boil
sheviki have been called upon in this
country, and it was time that all took
a firm hold to protect American
homes.
Executive Secretary Sprague was
presented to the meeting and he said
that he considered it an opportune
time for him to meet So many new
faces. Speaking on the Americaniza-
ton plan, Mr.. Sprague said that the
New Britain Chamber Of Commerce,
through its secretary, may be depend
ed on to lend every needed assistance
in the furtherance of the movement
Principal Slade Calls for Action.
Principal l.. P. Slade of the High
school gave an interesting talk on
the subject in which he said that all
members Of any loyalty clubs should
at this time align themselves with the
movement of America MIA ton. With
this accomplished, all should then
strive for a common purpose and a
common privilege The nation needs,
the speaker said, plenty of enthusiasm,
and had the matter of Americaniza-
ton been taken up 100 years ago
America would be much better off
now.
Rev. Lucyan BojnoWski, pastor OF
the Church of the Sacred Heart, spoke
on the arrival of the time when the
term foreigner should be entirely
eliminated All should style them
selves Americans, and there should be
no such designation as Americans in
one group and foreigners, and an ap-
parent sign Of one keeping aloof of
the other.
Senator George w. Klett gave very
fine talk on the political side of the
characterization plan.
Alderman Fl. p. Richards. chairman
pro EN- of the common council, said
that although he had no authorization
from the common council to say that
they would assist in the movem ent he
would venture that the municipal
fathers would be found ready to lend
every possible assistance.
F.. {. Goodwin said that he would be
glad to take the plan up in the fac
tories and aid in every way possible.
Rev DR.. G. w. G. Hill gave one Of
his characteristic patriotic speeches,
! that dubbed with enthusiasm. He said
| that all people should forget any ira
ditions they may have had and all
strive to be good loyal American citi-
zenS.
During the meeting, the following
committee was named to bring in q
list of 100 residents of this city to
act as a permanent committee: S. H
Holmes. Senator G.. w. Klett. Coun-
Gilman Abraham Gorbach w. F.
Brooks. Councilman f. 7. McDonough
and Alderman Paul Nurczak The