Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-30
MAINE IN EDUCATIONAL
PIONEERING

Augustus y. TnOmaS, Names pres
emit superintendent, were the princi-
pal speakers Thursday evening at
the Americanization meeting held
under the auspices Of the Committee
on American Ideals and the United
Americans.
DR.. Smith told Of the work on that
line that IL now being done in Mas
sachusetts. He expressed his dis.
approval Of the term Americaniza-
ton as it Is being used end hoped
that some substitute can be found
that will not arouse so much an
tagonism whenever it is spoken. The
Massachusetts work is divided into
two departments, that Of what
might be termed first aid to the i'm
migrants, meeting them when they
first come to this country and doing
the many little things that have to
be done for them to get them placed.
work, which is also divided into two
parts The first is the effort to teach
the English language to all new
corners as soon as possible and the
second is the effort to teach them
civics and the principles of govern
ment.
v DR.. Thomas described the work as
it is being carried on in Maine. The
Press gives the following summary
of his remarks:
He said that Maine was the pio-
neer state in the requirement that
people who deal with the public
should understand English, for as
far back as 1892 a law was passed
which made it obligatory on every
person running for public office and
for every new voter who wishes to
register to be able to read and write
the constitution in the English Ian
guage That was genuine pioneer
work and it indicated that those who
framed the law had vision of what
tho future was to bring.
The next step ahead was made in
1919, when it was enacted into law
that instruction in the study OF
American history and in civics must
be in the English language. Still an
other step was made when this was
extended to every school in the State,
whether under public control or
private school of any kind. Foreign
languages may be studied as sub
jectS, but the routine of instruction in
the studies of the school must be in
the English language. This program
is intended to deal with the children,
the rising generation, and it is meet
ing the situation fairly well. But for
the adult foreigners a different plan
has to be pursued. Maine has law
through which the State rcpays two
thirds of the cost of schools in which
adults are taught in the elements of
the English language and of civics
and American history. DR.. Thomas
took fling at the term Americaniza-
ton, saying that in his department
they avoid its use as much as pos
siblc. They call them schools, classes
in citizenship and various other
terms which mean the same thing but
still avoid the use of the term Ameri-
Canization, which experience has
taught has an offensive meaning to
some of the foreigners. They seem to
think that the object is to take him
TO pieces as it were and build him all
over again to follow some kind of a
model built up by somebody whose
ideas are very different from his own.
When, however, the matter is put to
the foreigners in the right way, they
are fully ready to accept it and they
are for the most part eager to learn
DR.. Thomas gave at some length and
with considerable detail the story of
the work that is done by the Ameri-
can Thread company at Milo for the
education of their men. They are al
lowed two hours q week on factory
time for instruction in English, the
foreman acting as teachers and using
practical lessons based on the objects
rlght around them, the things they
eat and wear and see every day and
thus making them of real value. DR..
solutely right when he said you can
not teach these grown men by the
same methods you use with children.
There is boy" 1.-The boy sees the
dog" and other sentences like that do
not appeal to the adult He wants to
learn something that he can go out
the next day and use, and by the use
OF the factory school this method can
be employed to great advantage.
DR.. Thomas dealt extensively in
figures to show the scope Of this
work and it's possibilities. He also
answered good many questions, and
following his address there was a
general discussion of the subject.
Initial steps were taken in the rails
ing of a budget of $115.0O0 for the
next six months at the dinner meet
ing last evening at the Falmouth,
which was attended by group of
business men from Portland and 9TH
er parts of the State as well, who are
interested in the work of Americana
cation and the carrying out of the
hve- year program of the United
Americans in this State
The emerpepcy hill hoe ov~oroo1