Great Falls tribune., 1922-02-22
|[uTERACY GROWS
AMONG NATIVE BORN
FIGURES INDICATE
Miss Trumper Says Census
Statistics Not So Optimistic
as They Appear.

census report shows that illitcracy in
Montana has decreased from 14.457
in 1910 to 9,544 in 1920, these statis-
tics are not as optimistic ~ they
seem, according to Miss MAY Trump
er, state superintendent of public in
struction.
These figures are encouraging ,
said Miss Trumper,, and at first
ourselves for the good work along
these lines which has been done IN
Montana during the past ten years.
On further analysis of conditions,
however, it becomes apparent that
while there has been a decided de-
crease in the illiteracy of foreign born
white persons, the same is not true
of persons of native parentage.
Foreign born nliterates ten years
of age and over in Montana in 1910
numbered 8.445 or f.4 per cent Of the
total number of foreign born inhabi-
tants, while in 1920 the number of
foreign born illiterates was SITS Or
only sc per cent Of the foreign born
inhabitants.
IIiiteracy Increases
"In 1910 the number of illiterates
of native parentage was 4O3 or 3 per
cent of the total number of persons
of native parentage while in 1920 the
number of iliterates of native paren-
tage was 669, which still remains 3
per cent of the total population of
native parentage.
'The number of illiterates of for
eign or mixed parentage in 1910 was
333 or 4 per cent of the total popu-
lation of foreign or mixed parentage,
while in 1920 the number increased to
39S, which is 3 per cent of the total
number of persons of foreign or
mixed parentage. Further analysis of
the census figures shows that the
more rapid increase in the number of
illiterates of native parentage has oc-
Cured among the rural population,
though there has been some increase
In these numbers among the urban
population. The number of illiterates
Of native parentage in cities has in
creased from 81 to ia during the
ten-year period, the percent rema1,-
ing 9 per cent of the total city popu-
lation Of native parentage.
''In the country the number of IL
creased from 321 to 5o5, the per cent
remaining per cent of the total
rural population of native parentage.
These figures all apply to persons
ten years of age and over who are
not able to write in any language,
not necessarily English. 1t is clearly
evident that Montanas illiteracy
among its people of native parentage
is increasing and that particularly is
this increase taking place in the rural
sections of the state A study of the
figures by counties in this respect is
very interesting and points to neglect
particularly of children in certain sec
tions Of the state who are being left
without any school opportunities.
Butte Takes Lead
THE city of Helena is credited
with 116 illiterates beyond the age of
ten years. Billings, III: Missoula, 70;
Great Falls, ia; Anaconda, 23I and
Butte, 772. We have reason to be
proud Of the Improvement of our fig
ures regarding the illiteracy of for
eign born, but there is certainly a
problem deserving serious attention IN
connection with the decided growth
in the illiteracy of our population of
native parentage and of foreign and
mixed parentage."
The following statistics on lliteracy
in Montana are furnished by Miss
Trumper:
Montana iIIiteraoy Statistics
Total number illiterates 10 years old
and over, 9,544; native white litter
ates, 1857; foreign born white illit-
crates, SITS; illiterate negroes. 81:
iiliterate males of voting age, 5,tI6:
iliterate females of voting age, 3,S.6.
rural illiteracy, 1878; urban illiteracy.
, ,266; percentage of illiteracy in state.
2.3
illiteracy by Counties
Mineral, 8; Carter, O.: Liberty, ";
Broadwater. 16; Powder River, 20;
Meaghcr. %; Toole. 23 Wibaux. %;
Prairie. 2S; Sweet Grass, 81: Granite,
81; Treasure, 80; Wheatland, II;
Chouteau, 46 Fallou, 46; McCone, ID;
Madison, 80: Garfield, 50; Beaverhead,
so; Teton, g.; Saltwater, "a: Rchland,
65; Ravalli 66: Pondera, 50; Custer,
80; Sanders, 81; Powell, So; Gallatin,
81: Dawson, 1O2, Sheridan, 1o9; JEFF
ferson. 1913; Phillips, 1877; Lincoln. 141;
Musselsholl, 1855: Valley, 1a1; Park,
1888; FIathead, 1877; Lewis and Clark,
21S; Glacier. 293; Rosebud, 1896: Blaine.
Carbon, 356: Hill. So: Roosevelt, 399:
Fergus, AL; Cascade. 467; Deer
Lodge, ATS Missoula, SIS; Yellowstone,
go; Big Horn, S25; Silver Bow, l.--2I,
lIIiteracy in Cities
Anaconda, 237; Billings. III; Butte,
7T2; Great Falls. 174; Helena. 1l6;
Missoula, 70: Bozeman: 20; Deer Lodge,
80: Dillon, "A; Glendiyc. 90; Havre. 10;
Kalispell, 20: Lewistown. IS: Mites
City. AZ; Livingston, Isl; Red Lodge,
1859; Whitefish, Is.