The Connecticut labor press., 1919-04-05
O'MEARA PRESENTS
 NEW APPROXIMATION PLAN

1 Learn English = Employers
 Asked to Do Their Part in Civ.
 ing Preference to Those Who
 Are studying-Endorsed President Patrick F. O'Meara of the Connecticut Federation of Labor, who has discussed the Americanization plan for industries with various iegisiafors at Hartford, presented the plan before the meeting of the New Haven Trades Council on Thursday night and spoke in regard to it. It is as follows I. PURPOSE. The purpose of this plan is to bring economlc pressure to bear upon our non-English-speaking population for the purpose of getting them to learn Eng fish, attend night school and study about the American government. Publicity through the medium of posters, hand bills, pay envelope slips, and other forms m torelgn languages has been tried by this department, the school authorities, and local communities with only linn lted success. To be7sure of steady night school attendance, and to really make an impression upon the foreign mind as to the necessity and value of learning English 1t IS necessary to bring economic pressure to bear upon him; that is, to let him understand that it affects his pay in some way.
 H. EMPLOYERS PART IN THE
 PLAN.
 To apply the principle of economic pressure the State Department of Amer lcanlzation IS asking each employer of forelgn-born labor to adopt the follow ing policies as fundamental n the ad- mlnlStratlon and management of their plants. It is assumed that ability shaM De given first recognition by an ern- ployer.
 First-Ali other factors being equal give preference in hiring to English Speaking applicants or to applicants who are studying English in night school or in some other effective way over the non-English-speal1ng appli- cant for a position.
 Second-An other factors being equal, give preference in promotion to the employee making himself more efhc- tent by fearing English, either by attend ing night school or m some other effec- tive way, and all other factors being equal, give preference in promotion to the efficient Engiish-speahng employee of foreign birth who speaks English well
  employee who is making no effort % acquire English
 ;. S.Third-Recognize increased efficiency on the part of the foreiga-born employee who is studying English. Some sesn-s 9ioyers @fas@ done tfisS r5t sRa&4t A7 crease, wage bonus. NFixf. medal or other work O. estimation.
 Furth-When 1t IS necessary te re, duce working force as betweeza kNc
 
 equal conditions, adopt the policy ol laying of the non- English -sreakins alien, retaining the EngIish-spealn employee or employee making himself more efficient by studying English in the night school or in some other eftDG- tive way.
 Pifth-Make English the language of plant Administra atioa, exceptions fp be- tolerated only in case of absolute ueces sity. This can be done by printing in English safety signs, signs of warning. men and superintendents should be @69e to speak English. Instructions regard ing work. machinery, etc. should wheE- ever possible be given by foreznen and superintendents in the English langu- age.
 Sixth-Adopt policy, where good night schools have been established. of checking up attendance at night school or factory classes in co-operation wsth the school authorities, so that, upon re ceiving due notice from the school auth critics or teachers that gwen employee has failed to attend regularly, a super intendent or foreman will notify such employee that the plant desires tho ean- ployee to learn the English language, and. having enrolled in night school or other facility for education, to keep ID a regular attendance, and that his failure to do so will have distinct bearing upon his opportunity for advancement by the employer.
 Seyenth-If night schools are not available, cooperate with public school authorities and others in organizing classes in English and citizenship for foreign-born employees either in the public schools or in the plant, or in some other convenient loeation.
 III ENDORSEMErS OF THE
 PLAN.
 The State Chamber of Commerce State Manufacturers Association, and the State Federation of Labor have eaeh officially approved and endorsed the above policies, and the plan herein set forth for promoting the AmeElcaniza- ton of foreign-speaking employees, and have notified their constituent members accordingly.
 W. PARTICIPATION BY INSUR-
 ANCE COMPANIES.
 The following companies carrying compensation, group, or fre insurance in the state of Connecticut have agreed. when writing insurance for an employ CT or industrial establishment employing foreign-born labor, to consider the adoP- ton of the above policies and the cary ing on of consistent efforts for the Americanization of plant, as factor in the reduction of risks in such plant:
 Aetna Life Insurance Company. Trav- elers Insurance Company, Connecticut General Insurance Company, Hartford