Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1920-04-15

out a fellow passed the message along
in Italian. Good supper, good music, good time
those three phrases danced through his mind
all the afternoon. AT the close of the days work
he made his way to the restaurant, designed by
engineers to serve a million meals year. Crowds
of men surgng through the doors and he
pushed his way in and to seat his black eyes
shining with expectation.
Yes; there was music to set Luigi's blood ting
ling and his feet tapping the floor, for the band
was sending out its most spirited strains And
as for the supper-not since he had been on
American soil had Luigi so enjoyed repast. He
glanced at Casimir, his Polish neighbor,
whose face was lighted with smiles.
Then keen-eyed, peasant-faced man mounted
a platform, and whisper, followed by hush,
ran about the assembly, for the speaker was Mr..
Emmons, vice president and general manager of
the company He spoke with such goodwill that
Luigi caught the spirit of his message if not
the actual meaning To his delight. Father Ney-
roZ, of Lugi's nationality, stepped forward
with an Interpretation of MI. Emmons' words IN
Italian, and Polish priest also interpreted like
wise. Luigi and Casimir listened eagerly and
Joined in the applause and cheers.
1--WE have invited you here tonight" explained
Mr. Enmons ito tell you about new American
ization plan. We represent many nationalities
and races. Tonight welcome you as Americans
and hope that all Of you who have not made this
country the land of your adoption are thinking
of doing so. The company is glad to have YOU
as its guests at this Americanization supper and
hopes that many of you will be Interested in the
work to be undertaken. which will not only teach
you something of language but also teach
you American standards of thought and life
We have much to learn from the nations you rep
resent. You are we'll able to teach us many
things.
1--WE WISH however, to teach you the language
in which all shop work is done Several
reasons make 1t important that you should talk
English. You will be safer in your work and less
liable to accident If you understand all safety
instructions. You will progress faster in your
development if you understand better all that is
said from day to day. You will enjoy more of
the shop life if you share what other men
are talking about.
IF this country is now your home and the home
of your children, you should know it's language
should possess Its citizenship, should obey its
laws, and follow the spirit of its institutions
81 want you to feel that the company for which
you work and the executive officers are interested
in helping you become Americans Of the best kind,
not forgetting the lands in which you We're born
and their languages, but remembering that Amer
leu is now your home and the home of your chill
dren Your sons fought in the American armies
Many of them died for their country We honor
them for the sacrifice. You may honor them also
by sharing the citizenship they fought and died
for.
81 greet you as Americans of the future If not
of the present. and appreciate your interest in
the meeting.
The interpreters then told how i'm Americaniza-
ton secretary had been engaged by the company.
to devote all his time to the foregn-born workers
First there was to be instruction in English.
The shop to be the classroom. Regular
classes were to be organized with sessions each
week. The classes We're to be graded sol that the
beginners might study together, and those more