New-York tribune., 1922-05-18
Council Plans
On Broad Scale
81 Organizations Repre-
scented at Meeting TO Out
line Program for Dealing
With Foreign-Born Here
Tolerance a Watchword
Higher Standard for Natu-
ralization and Practical
Patriotic Education Also

gram for the immediate promotion Of
esucation in patriotism and good cti-
zepshp. the National American Coun-
c'i, embracing fftyfour organizations
held its second annual meeting at the
botel Astor yesterday There were all
day sessions, ending with dinner last
night, when Mrs. James Lees Laidlaw
spoke on THE Woman Voter" and
Thomas Edward Finegan on "Tranng
for American Citizenship
Speaking at the afternoon session
on some Current Changes in Our Con
ocptlon of Americanization" Dr.. Albert
Shlels. associate director of the insti-
tute Of educational research, Columbia
University. decIared:
he war gave us splendid oppor-
tunity for public service. but it also
opened the way TO less desirable ac-
tivitles, among which was sort Of
voclferous tyranny miscaled patriot
ism by those who mistook noise and
-assertion for love of country. We
are now learning to appralse Ameri-
ranlsm IN terms of the big Fundamental
tnings-to olerance, fair play and Justice
Citizenship To Be Guarded
We arc beginning to believe that
citizenship is not something to throw
to Il man or press upon him, but a
sacred privilege to be carefully
guarded, and then, when he is worthy,
20 be awarded TO him under circum-
stances of dignity and distinction"
The three basic changes in our CON
ception of Amcricanization since the
war Dr.. Shiel described as a better
understanding Of the foreign born, a
clearer conception Of Amercanism and
higher standard Of naturalization
more concerned with character than
with ability to pass the examnat ton.
Nathaniel Phillips, president OF the
League Of Foreign Born Citizens. out
lined tentative program for an an
nual AmericaniZaton DAY with a civic
court Of honor. His plan was that in
every city and town an semblage
should plan q public meeting and a
with the meeting there should be {
parade or pageant. he said.
I'VE should hasten the speaking Of
English among foreigners for the de
velopment Of a common language" sale
Mr. Phillips
Should Drop Offensive Terms
w . SHOulu encourage the noIlNc
born man and woman to show real re
spect and friendly neig ighborliness to tn
! fore born dweller in our midst w
should check the tendency to use tn
offensive nicknamcs which are too oftel
applied to foreigners"
Merton A. Sturges, chief naturaliza
| ton examiner of the United States De
partment of Labor, speaking on "Tn
| Improvement of Our Matura izatio
Procedure" advocated change in tn
naturalization law which would perml
solemn and dignifed ceremony i
comforting American citizenship.
The aims of the council, as outline,
by Judge Townsend Scudder, chairman
of the executive board. are as follows
Simplifcation of machinery, formula
ton OF constructive educational pro
gram promotion Of coordination
Americanization of the fore ign-bor1
recommcndatio of methods TO membe
agencies. Limitation of printed matte
and caution as TO pending legislation
To Proceed Cautiously
"The objects of the council ar
| broadly patriotic, and it is believed t
be in harmony with the genius of tn
! organization that emphasis be place
upon essentials about which all Cal
! agree rather than upon mere technl
calities which might interpose unnec
cssary barriers to effective and har
monions cQ-operation,' said Judg
( Gcuddcr.
"lt is suggested that if the secon,
year of the life of the council is de
voted to perimentation along thes
quiet and conservative lines Of ccnfo r
ence and mutual cooperation the mis-
givings of any who may have fearc'
that the council might seek to dictat
to or otherwise interfere in the affair
I Of member agencies may be allaycd AM
the spirit of mutual harmony may b.
promoted"
Other speakers we're Hugh Frayne
Judge Wallace McCamant president o
the Sons of the American Revolution
John j. Mahoney. president of the In
terstate Council of Immigrant Educa
ton, and DR.. Edward A. Steiner, pro
fessor of applied Christianity, Grin
nell College. Iowa.
Among the organizations represento,
were the American Federation of La
Dor, the American Legion, the Bo.
Scouts. the Jewish Welfare Board, tn
Inter Racia Council. tho National Ed
ucation Association. the League 0
| Foreign Born Citizens, the Salvation
Army. the National Security Ieagu
and the Veterans Of Foreign Wars.