Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-03-26
sHEse
OUR MOST IMPORTANT WORK

Interest in the Americanization Of foreign born citizens is in
creased by the activities that are going on in many cities throughout
the country. Perth Amboy can learn much from other municipalities
in this regard.
There was recently held in Chester, Pa, a great celebration at
which time the newly naturalzed citizens were the guests of honor OF
the municipality. A great celebration was held in the largest theatre
in the city. Governor Sproul, of Pennsylvania, was present to add
dignity to the occasion; the city was deliberately decorated and I'M
pressive ceremonies were held. The man who was formerly a foreigner
was made to feel that he had become a true American in every sense
of the word that the native born were glad to welcome him a one II
them and that henceforth their interests were the same.
Out in Sheboyan, Wisconsin, another celebration scheme OF Amer
termination is being carried out. Here is a report of the activities
there as sent out by the government Department Of Labor:
GAS soon as the names of candidates for citizenship are forward
cd by the Bureau of Naturalization and letters have been written by
the bureau urging them to go to school, mems and womens commit
tees in sbeboygan are responsible for bringing them into the school,
information as to other unAmericanized foreigners in industrial
plants and elsewhere is brought in by committees on informationi
American men visit the foreign men, American women visit the WON
en-; neighborhood parties are organized in the nearest schoolhouse or
at the house Of some foreignborn citizen. In the school centers, OF
which there are 10, everything is subordinated to the purpose of pre-
pairing these people for real citizenship, recognizing that citizenship
means frendiness toward other citizens S well as knowledge.
Therefore, the technically educational part of the evenings
work comes first, and is followed by music, gymnastics, recreation
generally, for it. is realized that people are nearer to each other in their
pleasure than in their work. The afternoon work with the women
takes on the character of an informal social gathering, where tea is
served and the women sew or mend in association with native Amerl
can women; for it is selfevident that the Overburdened foreign house
mother will make more progress both in knowledge OF the language
and Of the country in that manner than where a more exactlng
mental demand is made upon her. L ii noteworthy, moreover, that
while all well qualified volunteer workers are used in this activity, it
has been found best to have the work organized and directed by
trained social and educational workers.
ut is part of the ~Sheboygan system TO make a civic event OF the
of the citizenship students, as has been so long advocated
by the Naturalization Bureau. This year the Americanization work
ers have been eagerly awaiting the graduation certificates furnished
by the Bureau of Naturalization. As soon as the first copies reached
Sheboygan they were framed and hung in all the centers of the for
egn educational work Is an object lesson of the esteem in which the
Government holds the man who has adequately prepared himself Tor
American citizenship. It is believed in the Wisconsin city that the
certificate is bound to prove a strong incentive to citizenship study
with the foreigner.
"The elimination Of the years Americanization work in She
boygan,. the harvest home Of citizenship, will be celebrated this spring
when all who have come into the national fold during the past year
will be welcomed by a new citizens banquet given by the educational
committee of the chamber of commerce. At this time the citizens OF
Sheboygan and a representative of the Naturalization Bureau will ex-
tend the hand of fellowship to over 500 men who have gone over the
top into citizenship"
Perth Amboy cannot afford to lag behind in this great movement.
1t is gratifying to know that active work along this line is well under
way. 1t is something that should have the enthusiastic support of
the entire city.