New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-04-23
MANY FOREIGNERS
Want CITIZENSHIP
100 Have Already Applied for
Their First Papers

varied sources that the aliens will
surely emigrate in great numbers, and
take their savings with them, as soon
as the treaty of peace is signed, it a,p-
pears that there are in New Britain
very many aliens to whom the predic-
ton does not apply. Never before
have there been SO many applications
hero for naturalization as there are
at the present time For the most
part they are preliminary applicants,
or candidates for the first paper,
which means that they have at least
two years to wait for the full pri.-iI-
eyes of citizenship.
The fact has become strikingly evf-
dent, through a citizenship campaign
in the factories, that the immigra
frequently does not know what to do
to get naturaHzed, and that there are
not many native citizens who can tell
him much about what procedure is
necessary. Accordingly he finds it
easy and natural to put off that which
he feels doubtful about,-very much
as every other individual puts off go
ing to the dentist until a toothache
suggests the Importance of it.
It is uncertain yet as to just how
much influence in this direction is ex-
erted by the very recent law that re-
transient aliens eight per cent. of the
salary, until the end of the year Some
people have misconceived this enact
ment as a tax on non-citizens. But it
is obvious that one may claim the
status of permanent residence with
out aspiring to the legal rights of cit
| izenship. But quite apart from this
consideration, the work Of bringing
information and assistance regarding
citizenship to the many permanent
residents who desire to become citi-
zens had already been started before
| the new law had become known here.
Several weeks ago, Director Q RrIen
! of the characterization department.
| sent out q letter to the factories OF
! the city asking that employees who
are candidates for citizenship be al
! lowed to prepare their applications on
factory time, with no loss of pay. The
suggestion was also offered by Mr..
| O'Brien that he would come to the
factory, at a convenient time, Which
had been previously announced to the
candidates, and there assist all citi-
zenship applicants, with the least pos
sible expense Of time. Both of these
suggestions were promptly accepted
by a majority of the factories. In
some instances the officials them selves
offered to assist in the actual work of
preparing the applications and in
each plant a list was prepared N ad-
vance of those who desired help in Sc
| curing naturalization.
| Factory Aids Materially
| The Corbin Screw company went
! much further than was expected of
! them. They prepared and posted in
| every room of their factory notices to
! the effect that: The company desires
| to aid any employee who is contem-
! plating taking out his first citizenship
! papers, and will allow him to go to
! the court on the cOmpany's time. If
| witnesses for second papers are em-
| ployes of that factory, they may also
! accom- pany the applicant. The North
! & Judd company have also offered to
| pay, for their employees, the one dollar
| fee that is required for the fling of a
first paper. Other companies are
| equally willing to do their part to ell
| courage those who want to be citi-
zens.
The response from the alien worker
has been surprising both to factory
officials and to foTemen. Where per
haps dozen or two were expected to
| take advantage of the offer, q hundred
! have asked for the privilege. Those
| who had carelessly assumed the
| aliens indisposition or unWiliingness
| in the matter found that he only
| waited for information as to how he
| should proceed, and when and where.
There were, of course, others who
! were concerned about losing their
! time and pay. Some had been gross
/ " misinformed about the re9ujre-
! ments and restrictions, and even felt
! 1icriJ, To +n o1yo
| plication. Such questions of doubt
| were quickly and easily cleared up by
| their Inquiries for information, when
| the opportunity came to them.
To accomm odate both the men and
| the factories in the filing of the appii-
| cations, without serious loss OF time
| or interference with work, Mr. Dan
| berg, the clerk of the city court, has
! been in his Office almost every evening
| for a week past, besides the whole of
| Saturday afternoon He usually has
| only one evening a week at the office.
| The applicants are instructed when to
go and also where. Likewise, Mr.
, Danberg knows when to expect them,
! and in no other way could the mat
ter be handled SO satisfactorily.
IL NationaIities Represented.
s. OF the first $50 applicants for first
| papers, coming from certain factor
| les, there are IA nationalities repre-
sented. But rs per cent. of the whole
! number are of Polish, Italian or Lith-
uanian descent; and the Polish alone
| formed 30 per cent. of the total. All
| except four of these men had been in
this country six years or more. Half of
the men had been here more than
! twelve years, and one Of the group
had lived here thirty-five years, with
out getting even his first papers. The
applicants are nearly all men OF ma
ture years. ranging all the way to
! sixty-five. TWo-thirds of the men are
| above thirty wears of age, and one