Putnam patriot., 1919-03-28
CAMPAIGN FOR
 AMERICANIZATI0N
Fl. R. Branche, Field Director, Addresses Local Committee,
 Making Good Impression
Plan Ssggested For Stirring Up ln- tere4t and Obtaining Desired
 End.

Chairman Erie H. Johnson, Vice Chairman Katherine Byrne, and mem bers of the Americanization commit tee to the number of nearly 50, met at the high school building Monday night and listened to a talk by H. R- Branche of Norwich, field director of the work in the state of Connecticut
 Mr Branche was introduced by the president and took occasion to say that the movement was to "break down the barrier the different lan- guages spoken by foreign born, so that all may become closer affiliated by better understanding one another. Mir Johnson said that Putnam was fortunately situated as all of the for eign population are patriotic, and that during the war when question nares were made out all nationalities said they had rather fight under the American flag than any other. He said there were no pacifcists among them either He then introduced Mr Branche to "the best committee in Connecticut. .
 MT Branche began by saying he was glad that the Putnam committee had such Tive" chairman. He said that the Americanization committee would take over the work of the war work bureau He said that the war had brought out the glaring need of teaching foreign born the English lan- guage He told of whole companies in camp that could not understand the commands He said that today there are 5000 people in this state who can not read and write English, and that 65, 900 can not read or write any language.
 The speaker said that the first for eigners settled on the farms and had to learn the language to do business, but now the big manufacturing cen ters held 50 many foreign born that they became little villages by them selves and did not trouble to learn the English language Most of the chil- dren went to the public schools and learned the language and then many times were ashamed of their parents who could not speak it. He said that boys who had been in the service had come in contact with their American of the language. He said that many were not coming back to their wives as they were now ashamed of them because they, too. could not speak the language
 In outlining the process of organi- zation MT Branehe suggested first, that the clergy be interested to preach Americanizaiton sermons and to make house to house calls and urge attendance at night schools where needed
 That through the factories many could be reached and that the heads of these industries be asked to coop crate.
 That the press be urged to give full publicity to the movement and that officers keep the press informed.
 That the town clerk be made mem Der of the committee that as custodi- a. f +ba k;~tb ,.aoorJo lro oO,t1d civa valuable information. The speaker said that there was a laxity in record ing births, especially in the larger cit ies, and in many instances men of for eign percentage who were drafted, did not know when or where they were born.
 Then the librarian should be a member of the committee. She could make a list of suitable books for the beginners once they could read lit tie; then the chamber of commerce, a valuable support to all movements then all foreign groups, and in fact everybody whom it is felt can be of assistance to the committee.
 Mir. Branche suggested as the first step in the campaign that mass meeting be held with good speakers, and said that speakers would be fur nished by the headquarters at Hart ford.
 He suggested that the committee empower the chairman to appoint an executive committee of seven, includ- ing the chairman and vice chairman. (This was done laterl.
 He further suggested that sub com mittees be appointed on naturaliza- ton, education. industry, housing and sanitation, and a social commit tee He said there should be drive to get the foreign born into the night schools and that there should be community center with lectures, nov ing pictures, etc.
 Mir. Branche spoke of the accidents occurring in the factories and said that many were due to the employees being unable to read danger and warning signs. He said that the large