The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-08-02
movie MACHINES
in INSTRUMENTATION
Catholic War Council to
Eight Hliteracy With
Modern Weapons. l!

WASHINGTON, August 2-Train-
ing thousands OF batteries of movie
machines on the quarters where ig-
norance and 9lliteracy hide true Amer
lean democracy from nine million
foreign-born or uniformed people, the
National Catholic War Council today
began a nationwide campaign of
civic education that will enlist TWEEN
~ thousand workers. Behind bar
rage OF periodically educational
films. fitted for the comprehension Of
every foreigner and OF every litter
ate, regiments OF minutemen, trained
70 the Language and customs OF these
classes, will fight to bring to them
the real meaning Of democracy, their
rights and obligations under the
american democratic government and
the fundamental principles Of indus
trial Justice. Until every district,
darkened TO true Americanism, is so
enlightened that Bolshevikism can
not breed there, the civic campaign
ers OF the National Catholic War
Council declare they will never let
war activities.
From the decks of fleet of auto
trucks. that viii carry "camionette"
film service to the most isolated
groups Of mlners and woodsmen, as
Wen as from every aytt'lsl3le plat
form In the congested quarters of the
larger cities the minute-men of this
movement have already begun to
drive home the truths OF democracy
in the tongue and vernacular Of their
various audiences. Their itinerary is
based on special survey OF the To-
cation OF the five million Immigrants,
who know little or nothing of Amer
lea and its language, and OF the four
million native born illiterates. Be-
tween specially prepared patriotic,
civic, social welfare and vocational
reels, interpreted with clean comics,
stirring talks on the history Of the
struggle OF democracy in this land
ind among other nations, on the
Americans rights and obligations.
and on vocational opportunities and
industrial tustice will be given in the
Language OF the hearers.
Although intensive drives TO reach
into the heart Of the foreign and I'LL
terate quarters throughout this coun-
try win be one OF the main objec-,
tifes of the civic educational cam
paign of the National Catholic War
Council, it's reels and speakers are
also prepared to offer to all English
speaking audiences, such Us groups
OF women, who may desire more in
formation OF American civic funda-
mentals, comprehensive courses on
tho workings OF our government. In
every case these entertainments will
be brought as close as possible to the
people, and will be entirely free and
open TO every one who cares to at
tend them. Beyond preliminary
course Of SIX weeks and continue
ton course Of twenty-four weeks
With films and speakers, the Nation
al Catholic War Council is prepared
to offer ample text books TO all its
auditors who are interested. In many
instances 1t Is hoped that both tho
instruction by film, lecture and text
book may be made permanent in To-
cadtes they are most needed.
sumrnartzing the objects OF their
new civic campaign, leaders of the
National Catholic War Council de-
clare that 'In civic education the
following points should be empha-
sized; a. All the people, both native
and Immigrant. should know what
democracy means. (2) They should
be acquainted with their rights I'M
der democracy. (3) They should
have a knowledge of their obligations
in q democracy. az They should be
acquainted with the simple workings
Of the government. CO.. They should
know how to invoke the powers of
the government for protection and
understand the voting privilege. (6)
Finally they should be acquainted
with fundamental principles of indus
trial Justice.
Numbers Of workers are inclined
to lose interest in our democracy If
they are unable to receive sufficient
wages, reasonable hourse of work
and sanitary working conditions, and
# they are not given voice in re-
gard to the terms of the wage con-
tract II is our duty to point out to
the workers their rights and that
here exists sufficient machinery to