Milford chronicle., 1920-01-16
AMERICA MUST BE Prepared


! Editor Milford Chronicle:
4 My dear Mr.. Publisher This let
Ter Is sent to you for the purpose OF
, asking favor and ask your pardon
oy not addressing you by name 1t
Is not request for anything for my
sell, but for the American nation.
ana that includes both yourself and
myself and every other American.
Congress is considering the question
OF Universal National Training for
every boy between is and 10 years of
age. 1t is hoped that legislation will
be enacted that will result in estab-
fishing camps throughout the United
States, to which each year the boys
as they reach the age of eighteen
years will be sent for a period of six
months.
These camps will be great training
schools for American citizens where
the boys from every section, of every
class, boys from the small cities and
towns and the farms will be brought
into contact with the boys from the
cities; where the boys of rich parents
will meet and associate with the BOYS
of poor parents; where the American
born boy will be brought into close
contact with the foreign-born boy.
In fact this proposed and desired
legislation is but one great step IN
program of Americanization that will
build up a proper understanding of
and regard for American institutions
and government
Eminent jurists from practically
every State in the Union have assured
those working for this legislation that
its enactment would reduce crime to
fully so per cent
Practical business men say it will
increase the average earning capacity
of the boys by fully 25 per cent.
Health officials say it will add mater
tally to the physical development of the
race, and we only have to look at the
results on the boys who went into the
training camps for the great war to
realize that this will be true.
But great as are all these advan-
tages to be gained from this proposed /
legislation, a yet greater one is that /
to be found in bringing the boys of all /
classes together upon terms of abso- I
lutte equality. can picture to myself |
the wonderful effect on the nation of /
AAAN AAAAA man nng anu AAlE pun man >
boy sleeping on cots side by side for
a period of six months, eating at the
same table, sharing the same duties
and the same modest pleasures, ex-
changing viewpoints day after day,
and through these things forming life
long friendships. 1t means the break
ing down of class distinctions that
are forming and are endangering the
life of the republic. 1t means the abb
sOlute democratising of our citizen
ship.
The boys will be taught in a practi-
cal way the advantages of citizenship
and the duties of citizenship; they will 9
-aguht obedience to law and consti-
uted authority, they will be taught the
value of personal merit and initiative :
Is the true basis of personal success.
IN other words, it will make upstand
ng men of our boys regardless OF .
amily connections or the accident of =.
birth.
In camp the boys will be subject to ?
military discipline, and while the pur- !
,ose is to make citizens for peace time {
he military training they would re-
eive would enable them to defend Z
heir country should its defense ever
gain be necessary.
The National Editorial Association. (
n the membership of which is to be 5
ound a very large number of the edi- Z
ors and publishers of American news s
apers, has virtually pledged itself to :
campaign of Americanization. l feel .
hat the enactment of this proposed s
egislation that is now before Con- !
ress is the first and greatest step in I
uch a campaign if it is to be enduring 5
nd successful.
l am hoping that you see this sub 1
ect as l do, and if you do, the favor j
wish to ask is that you write the !.
from your district and
le Senators from your State, and y
SIX their support for this measure.
our Congressman would rather have
lch a letter from you than from any Z.
her citizen of your community, for
)u,- more than any other individual, p
re in a position to represent and in g
rpret the public sentiment of yOuT
Will you do this today? If it is mol q
% much trouble | should ike to have 5
carbon Of your letter, or some eX- 2
-ession of opinion from you.
Yours very truly,
Wright A. Patterson.