Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-04-13
ALIEN
O PROGRESSING
Daily Letter by Frederic J. Haskin

ineans making it possible for these
Igroups of people from other nations
to give America the best they have
to offer. Through this contact they
become acquainted with American
ideals and realize that some people
in this country do believe in the
ideals we talk so much about. We
must remember that, unfortunately,
the foreigner often gets his first idea
OF what American ideals are from
the petty politician, the ~bootlegger,
and the industrial agitator.
Characterization workers should
really show the alien that the gov
eminent here aims to give the high
useless to tell any n to be loyal
to a country without first making
him feel a love for 1t. If a for
eigner comes to an Americaniza-
ton under official administration, II
he is greeted Aas q friend, and his
difficulties are smoothed out for
him, he comes to feel that the gov
eminent is, as it claims to be, q
friend of the people,"
Miss Alton further points out that
in some countries beliefs and prin-
ciples are so similar to ours that
the new American citizen has only
~ ddJQSL IllGlil 10 OuI CusLOIlS d1lQ
form of life. Those who como from
countries where the attitude toward
life is very different, must be shown
that American ideas are fine and de-
sirable.
Things They Bring to Us
There are several gifts which
these people from other parts of the
world bring to u.s." Miss Alton says.
Three things, particularly, she men
tons:
1--WE need the zeal for intellectual
achievement which northern Europe
values SO highly. We need, also. to
regain admiration and respect for
fine handcraft, for the crafts are be-
ing chiefly neglected because of our
industrial l situation. Interest in
creative handcraft makes a people
resourcefu1 in themselves and II
makes them artistic. Then, we need
the enthusiasm for active pleasure.
that is seen among the peasantry OF
Europe. They still play games and
take part in amusements spon-
taneously, without the formal direc-
ton that is so often necessary when
we play in public.
These theories as to what the for
eigner can give in the Americaniza-
ton process and what he is to gel
from it result in an unusual sort OF
school.
In + of the day classes there are
about thirty students, representing
fifteen countries. These day stud.
ents are mostly young men and wo-
men, with a few older married wo.
men, and one white-haired grand.
mother who puts more vim into hei
English lesson than the young folks
The pupils sit around long tables
IT is not a very quiet school, but the
teacher ia not aiming to achieve
quiet. As there are q dozen native
tongues to this small gorup of PEG,
Iple they must together il
English If they will talk at all. 81
they consult and help one another
freely, realizing that 1t is good prac.
tice to make themselves understood
The social side of life is not ig,
nored i'll the characterization schoo
here. One class gives a regular
Friday morning program of music
and literary selections. Some of the
students talk of their native arts ant
give performances. Others give
American selections. OCCASIONAL,
arrangements are made to have stu,
dents give programs OF the arts a
tcommunity affairs.
That this sort OF Americanizatior
works is shown by the students
They realize that they have a righ'
to be proud of the country In which
hey were born. To feel otherwise
would be to endanger s~eIf-respect
But their real interest Is obviously II
America and their enthusiasm 70,
things American is bcundless. The,
are Tearing facts about the American
government and ideals that man,
Americans have never known o
have forgotten, and they learn witt
an eagerness that indicates that the,
will remember.