Willmar tribune., 1920-01-14
LOYALTY DIRECTOR
CALLED UN-AMERICAN
Minneapolis Instructor Accused by
American - Committee.
BY Fred A, HARDING

american committee.
BY Fred A. Harding
Minneapolis, Minn..- Minneapolis. is
about to be treated to the novelty of
having the director of citizenship in
the public schools investigated for
alleged disloyalty.
The so-called "American" committee
of Minneapolis, financed by the same
interests that are attacking the Non
partisan league, is behind the investi-
cation of William r. Ball. the director
of citizenship
The Minneapolis post of the Ameri-
can Legion is Investigating Mr. Ball
Mr.. Ball works in cooperation with
the federal government in giving al
lens. seeking naturalization. neces-
sary education in our form of govern
ment, the Constitution and American
institutions.
Probe Ordered.
j. W. Olsen of the "American" COM
mittee. former state superintendent
of public instruction, filed the latest
complaint against Mr. Balls teaching,
and as a result the Minneapolis board
of education ordered thorough in
vestigation. Previously the board Of
education had investigated Mr.. Balls
work and commended it.
In his complaint to the board Of ed
ucation, Olsen says:
"Mr. Ball invites these prospective
citizens to become Americans in the
following language, quoting one Doc
tor Adler: (See page 9, lesson ~
My brother from a foreign land, you
have fallen into a grievous error. You
have imagined that you were coming
here to enjoy liberty, but as yet there
is only the dawn of it, On page IL,
lesson 1, Mr.. Ball says: Mans whole
life is moulded by his economic en-
vironment, and this is made by law
Is not this manifestly un-American
doctrine? If man is solely the prod
uct of his economic environment, how
is he Influenced by the home, the
school or the church,"
The absurdity of the charges
against Mr.. Ball are clearly shown in
complete quotation from Doctor Fe-
lix Adler of New York, noted author
and authority on civic welfare:
"My brother from a foreign land,
| g. /.
You have imagined that you were COM
ing here in order to enjoy liberty.
But as yet there is only the dawn of it.
You are called hither to assist in the
pursuit of liberty, which is a divine,
elusive thing not to be truly achieved
perhaps for centuries to come. You
came here to live in the house of de-
mocracy. But it is your greater priv.
| n ho 1f h,ri11 1o
house of democracy is still in the
here before you, welcome you as a co.
builder This is Americanization!
Not the language merely, not the Gus.
toms merely, not little superficial
acquaintance with our history, but the
responsibility placed upon you, the
newcomer, to be one Of the builders OF
the democracy of the future. This
is naturalization, Americanism, bap
tism into the franchise of American
democracy"
Criticism Ridiculous.
The criticism of Mr. Balls state
ment, to the effect that man is crea
ture of economic environment, sis ri
diculous. Everybody but Olsen knows
this is so. There are exceptions, OF
| COu1 oO. CACCpCAOudA M0H duu WOlu0U
have been able to rise from the slums
Economic environment is the result OF
law, which controls the distribution
of wealth, allows employers to hire
children and pay them pittance, per
natural resources. prohibits the steal
ing of a stick of candy, but sanctions
the looting of a railroad
In hic criticism of Mr. Po1l'c Amor
Iicanization work, Olsen also denounces
the educator for telling the prospec
tive citizens that slavery once existed
in the United States, and for quoting
Abraham LincOln's statement in Op
position to the war with Mexico i1
1845.
Replying to his critics, Mr.. Bal
says:
my effort has been to interpret
America in the highest terms of both
spirit and intellect To me America
stands for freedom and opportunity.
Foreigners Critical.
"The foreigners with whom I dea
are some times we'll read in genera
way, sometimes critical of our insti
tutions. We find no difficulty in dis
cussing any of these criticisms in the
light of facts and in the interests o1
the American state.
"The foreigner and modest Ameri
can resents this vain boasting of 100
percent loyalty, 100-per-cent Amer
icanism. We are not 100-per-cent any
thing. That implies perfection and
no one can say that except Deity. We
are not gods yet.
1--WE want to teach the largest meas
ure of true devotion to duty and great
est tolerance of the opinion of others.