Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-05-06
ALIENS ATTEND
HONOR PROGRAM
Capacity Crowd in Circuit Court
room for Enjoyable Entertain.
ment Last Evening.
BLAZER PRINCIPAL SPEAKER
Naturalization Examiner Discusses
Problems OF Amerieanizatien in
Strong Appeal.

Speaking of problems of Ameri-
canization. P. W. Blazier, naturaliz-
alton examiner. appealed to foreign
born people to adopt the language,
customs and standard of living in
this country as rapidly as posi-
bic, in stirring address before a
capacity crowd of aliens, their
friends and guests at the program
given in their honor in the circuit
courtroom last night.
An excellent musical program
featured the entertainment, pre-
sented as an inspiration to citizen
ship and guide to realization of the
meaning Of patriotism. Judging
from the marked appreciation
shown by those present the pro-
gram, sponsored by Circuit Clerk
George w. Gamble and under direct
supervision of Mary Lindsay
Oliver of Moline, was a distinct
success. Miss Oliver was assisted
by the Moline Ladies' chorus in
presentation of the various selec-
tons.
Honors of the evening we're
shared by two youngsters-Ra
and Eleanor Dolkart-not yet in
their teens. Master Ralph recited
a salute to the flag and his sister
read a group of three original pro-
grams. Judge w. T. Church, who
presided, gave them special men
tion in commenting upon the sue
cess of the evening and in COM
plimenting Miss Oliver upon the
excellency of the entertainment she
had arranged.
Love OF Flag Essential
Cornerstone of our political
creed is equality of opportunity"
declared Mr.. Blazier, and in point
ing out that only one station in life
in this country is closed to the for
eign-born. that of presidency, he
called attention to the fact that an
American boy has one chance in
10000. 900 of attaining the position,
so this is d negligible handicap.
The republic can only equip her sons
for their lives and hold before them
the promise or the threat of impair
tiaI enforcement of its laws. 1t is
not enough that foreign-born
should acquire a knowledge of our
laws but they should be assimilat-
ed by love of country and heart
felt respect for the flag"
Tribute to loyalty of foreign
born citizens in the recent war was
paid by Mr. Blazier in his comment
that ''the central powers must have
been keenly disappointed by the
showing of foreign-born loyalty to
the flag"
He quoted figures which showed
that of an estimated population of
10000 900, 17,5O0,000 are foreign
born and of this latter number
100000 cannot read, write or
speak any other language except
their native tongue.
Mr.. Blazier pointed out that I'M
til quite recently America had
failed to keep in touch with her
constantly increasing foreign pop
ulation except at the time of their
entry into this country or when
they became applicants for first
papers. Lately through establish
ment of night schools and activity
in night schools and shop schools
to bring elementary English to Eu-
ropean-born has been a growing
force in conversion of aliens to
citizenship.
Program Recorded.
Following custom established
when naturalization programs
were inaugurated three years ago.
last evenings event became a mat
ter of court record in this county.
Program for the evening was as
follows:
1.-THE Star Spangled Banner
Audience.
Prayer-Rev. J. S. Kelly.
"Democracy'-Mrs. Charles H.
Washburne.
Salute to the Flag" : Ralph
DoIkart.
"The Americans Come" = Miss
Augusta Lift.
Hymn of Liberty" Mrs. H. H.
Beech)-Moline Ladies' chorus.
1.-THE Aeroplane"-Mary Lindsay
oliver.
Address,. W. Blazier.
Nocturne (Chopin) - Katherine
Efflandt.
THE Marseilles'-HenrY Vince
lock.
Original Patriotic Poems-El-
eanor Dolkart.
God Save the King" - Mary
Lindsay-Oliver.
Peace of the World" MARY
Oliver - Mrs Heesh and
charms