The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-03-02

halt million persons in the United
States over 10 years of age cannot
read a newspaper, billboard, car
card, sign, booklet or letter in the
American language. Five and half
millions of them cannot read any
thing in any language.
These astounding facts demand
the immediate consideration of the
nation. The war has demonstrated
some of the dangers from large
numbers OF foreignborn persons
who have not been assimilated or
Americanized 1t has also brought
to light thousands upon thousands
OF nativc-born Americans who can
not read or write.
These illiterates and aliens out
number all the people in Nevada,
Wyoming, Delaware, Arizona, Ida
no, Mississippi, Vermont, Rhode
Island, North Dakota, South Da-
kota, Oregon, Maine, Florida, Con-
necticut and Washington combined
They exceed the total population OF
the Dominion of Canada. As voters
their ballots will outweigh the influ-
ence OF greater New York, Phila-
delphia and Chicago in national al
fairs.
Such people must be educated at
least sufficiently to read the consti-
tuition OF the United States and
American newspapers and TO know
something of what it means TO be
an American.
South Leads in Illiterates.
This problem is national. The
South leads in illiterates. The North
leads in non-English speaking. SeY-
entecn and one-fourth per cent OF
the people of the east south centra
states are illitcrate, but l5.S per cent
OF the people in Passaic, N. J." can
not read, speak or write English
Sixteen per cent OF the people OF the
south Atlantic states are illiteratC
and 50 are 1872 per cent OF the people
OF Lawrence and Fall River, Mass
These civic and economic "sec
ond,' are beyond help from printed
warnings or advice in the Englisf
language. Their ignorance and in
accessibility TO essential public in
formation are constant drags upor
progress.
The secretary OF the interior hal
graphically painted the situation by
the nationally accusatory question.
he has asked in his recent letter tt
the president.
"What should be said OF world
leading democracy wherein 10 pc
cent Of the adult population can no
read the laws which they are pre-
sumed to know
What should be said OF democ
racy which sends an army to preacf
democracy wserein there was DRAFTED
out OF the first 100000 men tota
of 100000 men who could not reaC
their orders or understand then
when delivered, or read the letter
sent them from home?
What should be said of democ
racy which calls upon its citizens tC
consider the wisdom OF forming
league OF nations, OF passing judg
ment upon a code which will insure
the freedom Of the seas, or OF sacri
ficing the daily stint OF wheat o
meat for the benefit OF the Rouman
ians or the Jugo-Slavs when Is pc
cent OF the coming citizens OF tha
democracy do not go to school?
"What should be said OF democ
racy which permits tens of thous
ands of its native-born children t
be taught American history in
foreign language-the Declaration
OF independence and Lincoln's Get
tysburg speech in German and othe
tongues?
What should be said OF a democ
racy which permits men and womel
to work in masses where they sci
dom or never hear a word of EnglisI
spoken?
Bill Is Introduced.
Senator Hoke Smith has just in
troduced in the senate and Hor
William B. Bankhcad in the house
the Smith-Bankhcad Americaniza
tion bill; Senate Bill 5464, Hous
Bill 15402.
This bill directs the secretary o
the interior through the bureau o
education to cooperate with tn
several states in the education o
the aforementioned peoples and il
the preparation OF teachers for tn
work.
The appropriations begin at ono
and end in 1926.
A A state, to secure the money, act
Nhrough its chief school officer an