Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1922-12-08
T An, g RI z, Car
- e9 9l1e
65 Per Cent of Minnesotans are For
eign-Borp

WE llS11
IS Per Cent of Minnesotaus are For
eign-Born
Judge G. A. Nye Of Moorhead, Min
nesota, vice chairman Of the Minnesota
Legion Americanism Commission and
in charge Of it's immigration and nat
uralization program states:-'T The
number of foreign-born residents of
the United States is increasing. Ac-
cording to federal census, there were
100000 in 1880, 100000 in 1900,
and 100000 in 1920. In 1920 the
number Of foreign-born who had re-
ceived no schooling whatever in any
language and who could not read was
1853, TAG, of whom 1,488,98S could not
speak the English language. At the
same time, 36,398,958 or 81 per cent OF
our population were either foreign-born
or had one or both parents foreign
born. The Minnesota percentage IS
even greater-65 per cent. Every Le-
zion Post and Auxiliary Unit must try
to improve this condition, beginning
this work in the home town and its
territory by forming or arranging
night classes for the study of our coun-
try s language. With little encour-
a eement. these hard working residents
become our best citizens.
q ~
Five Million Uneducated
The vice chairman of the Minnesota
Legion Amcricanism Commission VINO
has charge Of Education and Boys
Work is Michael B. Hurley OF Pine
City. As ammunition for Legion speak
ers during American Education week.
here are some facts furnished them by
Mr.. Hurley:-"In 1920, 5,O0O,Ooc
residents of the United States con-
fessod that they had received nc
schooling whatever and could not read
in any language. One fourth OF tns
men who responded to the draft call
could not read an American newspaper
or write a letter home. Of our litter
ates. 62 per cent are native born.
over one million Of our illlterates-
100000 in fact-are white ana alo
the offspring of white native-born par
ents Between 1910 and 1920 the num-
her of illiterates increased IN twelve
states. Every state in the union num-
bers it's illiterates by the thousands
North as well as South. Minnesota
has a44s7. We of the Minnesota Le-
cion must do our bit to remedy tnl0
blot on our great state.'
. -
EQUAL Opportunity For All
Continuing, Comrade Hurley states:
"In trying to solve this problem 4h 81
illiteracy we must remember 10
Mace of birth often determines wheth-
or child shall have an opportunity to
acouire that most elemental educational
onpo rtunity, the ability to read ana
Write. If boy or girl is born IN a
country community he undergoes four
times the risk Of reaching ad llthooo-
lacking the ability to read or "ilte
that he would lave if born III a clty.
The 1920 federal census shows that
there were 100000 native-born litter
ates in our country that were the OIL
rect result of inadequate rural schools:
Tn one state, in 1920, seventy school
districts levied no school tax, with the
resnlt that many schools were not
onened at ALL Another state survey
shows that, on the average, country
children receive less than two-thlros as
much elementary education as CITY
children. The question staring square.
" in the face of every Legion post and
Legion Auxiliary unit of Minnesota is
"What are we doing to see that the
BOYS and girls of our community re-
ceive an unfettered start and fair
chance in the race Of hfe9"
How Gophers Will Feel
When the 500 Legion posts with
their 10000 live Legionnaires, and the
400 Leg ion Auxiliary Units with their
10000 paid-up followers, get through
with the big membership drive for 1878
now in progress, they will all feel like
cxclaiming with the tired little boy
81 wisht l was little rock
A settin on hill!
And doin nothin' all day long
But Just a settin' still.
IT would mt eat, wouldn It sleep
1 wouldn't even wash
I'd set and set thousand years
And rest myself, B 'Gosh!'
But until the new membership goals
of the Minnesota Legion and Auxiliary
are reached there will be no rest fol
any of the Gopher Gang. Each is ex
pected to do his bit-and boost fol
both Legion and Auxiliary. The Le
zion is out to secure 10000 Minnesota
buddies in l923-and the contest is on
The Auxiliary's goal is $4,000 in 1929
and it's big guns are about to get II
action. United effort will achieve the
goal.