Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-05-09

ANXIOUS TO BECOME AMERICANS

NA1OC ~
Over 100 men visited the council chamber in City Hall Wedne'
aav night TO get help in making out citizenship papers. Ever since the
work has been started there the number of applicants has been increa'-
ing ii $ a wonderful work. It's hard to estimate III "a 'aus "
,be oitv tits Al AUGMENTATION work that is bearing fruit.
Tt is interesting to know, and a matter OF pride aiso' q rer'H
Ambov Is the first city, as far as known, where the city hall has been
nsed for the instruction Of foreigners in the matter of obtaining Amer
lean citizenship. The advantage of this is readily apparent. IL gives
The whole work a governmental touch and removes all GROUND % '"D
plant from the standpoint of religion or prejudices OF other SoF'S
Another excellent feature in connection with the work as now con-
Quoted is that there are no profteering at the expense OF the appncan"
He is independent of the heders who have been gouging him TO the
limit for helping him with his papers and then charging him a iaOu'
lous sum for escorting him to New Brunswick when the application Is
made. :.
The advice and assistance at the city hall under the direction OIL
The Americanization workers, headed by Frank W. Henson Industrial
secretary of the Y. NJ. G. A, is absolutely free and, what is more' a 9"
interest is shown in the applicant and he is given just the encourage
ment that he needs.
Furthermore. he lis not lost sight of when his papers are filed out
Not only is he given every assistance in securing his naturalization
papers, but he is notified about the classes in English and is encour-
aued TO attend. He is shown how he can better his position. In short
a real interest is taken in him and he is made to feel that America Is
actually glad to welcome him as a citizen possessing all the rlgnts III
privileges enjoyed by the President himself in the eyes of the law.
It would seem IS if the time would soon arrive for that special
car, which Mayor Dorsey promised in connection with this American
izaton work, TO make its trip to New Brunswick carrying these appn-
cants for citizenship without expense to themselves.
With the help thus afforded and the interest shown, the expense
OF taking out citizenship papers, about which County Clerk Cannon
spoke, is largely eliminated. With the assurance that the American
izahon workers under the leadership of Mr.. Henson, will follow up
the work already started and will give further help In the same gener-
Gus and efficient manner, and, with the classes organized to teach
English and prepare the applicant for the final examination, there is
10 excuse for those who are living here and who expect to make their
homes here not becoming real Americans in every sense OF the word.
And the more the average foreigner hears from the other side and
comes to understand the real conditions there, the more he Is going
to be anxious to settle down here and enjoy the blessings and privileges
of this free country. The peace terms now being submitted to the
Central powers, including Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and
Turkey, give some idea Of what those countries will be up against for
the next fifty years or more. Few people here have any real concep-
ton of what the actual conditions are over there. Fortunate, Indeed,
Is the man who is comfortably settled with his family here even though
be may think the going is pretty hard sometimes.
With every opportunity afforded to become real American citi-
scns under such guidance as is being offered in this city absolutely free,
and with the greatest willingness on the part of the workers, there is
no reason why the number of men seeking information and help in
citizenship should not constantly increase as time goes on, and the
English classes be crowded as never before.