New-York tribune., 1919-10-14
Committee Returns From
Pittsburgh r e d y to
Sponsor Legislation AZ
fecting Alien Workers
See Peril to the Nation
Members Express Opinion
That Force of Steel Walk.
Out Is Already Spent
Neto Yoris Yribune
1U.,

washington bureau
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13.-Legislation
to enforce the Anericanization Of for
eignb born citizens and residents of the
United States will be urged 'by the
Labor, which has been investigating
the steel strike.
The committee returned to Washing
ton to-day from the Pittsburgh dis
jority Of the striking steel workers to
be foreigners, either unable to speak
the English language or speaking it TO
very limited extent.
Members of the committee said that
they have no hope of doing anything
to settle the strike, but all expressed
the opinion that the force Of the strike
is spent and that it will have TO work
out its own remedy.
viii Consider Two Measures
Senator Kenyon has called meeting
of the committee for Thursday, when
two bills for the education and Ameri-
canization of all foreign born citizens,
now pending in the committee, will be
considered. Both bills were introduced
ny CGHuiOT tciulLN, OF Georgia.
One bill would create a Federal de-
partment of education which would
work with the foreign embassies to
educate immigrants to the American
standard Of citizenship. The other bin
would have the Secretary of the In
terror cooperate with the various state
governments in educating foreigners.
Senator Kenyon tonight issued
statement in which he urged the ne
cessity for such legislation. He said:
Il do not desire to discuss the steel
strike or the reason or causes there
for at this time. The committee has
not as yet completed its investigation.
think it permissible to say, however.
that the committee returned from the
Pittsburgh district strongly in favor
of some Anericanization bill. ! have
thought for a long while that Congress
must do what it could to help stimulate
Americanism. That is common
ground upon which we all can stand,
and is rallying point for all.
Time for Nation to Act
when you find that in some of
these mills over SO per cent Of the
workmen cannot read, write or speak
necessary in these mill districts to
publish orders in all kinds of Ian
guages, it is time for the American
people, represented by the Ameri-
can Congress, to give determined
consideration to some plan of af-
fording these foreign workers an
opportunity to learn what the insti-
tutions of America stand for and to
become Americanized.
I'VE saw some young fellows who had
only smathering of our tongue who
impressed us as splendid material out
of which to make American citizens.
"Two bills are now pending before
the committee of which / have the
honor to be chairman, dealing with
this question. The committee meets
this week to take them up, and I earn
estly hope that one or both Of them
may be reported out of the committee
and may be passed by Congress before
adjoumment. There is no greater
this nation OF ours. Many Of those
who cannot speak our Language are
yearning to know it and want the
opportunity to learn about our insti-
tutionS
Seek National Solidarity
Most of them have subscribed for
Liberty bonds. but how can they know
anything about American institutions
when they cannot speak Americas Ian
guage? We cannot become one-lan-
guage nation over night, but that even
tually should be our goal. 1t will take
some time, but the result will be worth
while, for there is national solidar-
ity for all people of nation speaking
the same language.
Eight and one-half million people
in this country over ten years of age
cannot speak, read or write the Eng
lish language. To the correction of that
condition every citizen should resolve
to do his part"
Would Prescribe Deportation
Senator Walsh. of Massachusetts,
will present TO the committee at it's
meeting on Thursday a plan for legis-
lation which would restrict immigra