Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-18
SERIES CONSTRu Give TALKS
WINDS UP FIRST MEET EVENING
school,. PRINCIP AIS AT AUGUSTA

III We could thoroughly train in
American IDEALS the many Of foreign
birth who have come to America
10 make their homes or even to
work for only a short time. We
would DO more TO protect America
than could any number OF battle
ships. tanks, high explosives and
war aeroplanes."
Thus Principal James II. Brad
bury Of the AmericaniZation school
Mt Biddcford sounded the prevailing
note Of the Saturday morning clog
tng scssion OF the evening school
principals and Americanization di-
rectors' first State conference held
at the Senate Chamber at the State
House. Ways and means by which
ArnericanizatIon can best be accom-
,piishcd in The various parts or the
State was fully discussed TO the nu-
tual profit 10 all IN attendance.
As was anticipated. che outstand-
lag result OF the conference was the
adoption OF Il plan for organizing
the evening school principals and di-
rcctora of AmericanizatiOn into q
body 10 be known as The State Eve
ming School Principals Association.
which viii be a section OF the Maine
Teachers Convention. Thus the
conference which was so successful!
~ held, will become an annual af-
fair and the members will join
hands for the carrying on OF this
educational work TO better advan-
tasc.
A COMMITTEES consisting OF Princi-
pal Harold G.. Noyes OF Rumford.
chairman. Principal Ralph T.. Rowe
Of Portland md Principal Howell A.
Potter OF ! ngor was appointed by
the prcsiGi y. officer. f.. X. jenkins.
state director Of vocational train
ing, to draw up the constitution for
the new association. and the meet
ing for organization Will be held
next fall.
Governor Baxter Speaks
The Importance of the work OF the
evening schools was pointed out by
Governor Baxter who addressed the
delegates Saturday morning. II
doubt II the people of the State
appreciate tho work that the night
schools are doing" he asserted. II
don't think they have any concep-
ton of the number OF pupils in at
tendance or the variety or import
ance OF tho work.
II propose to go about the State
this coming spring and summer and
schools" said the governor He
told the evening school principals
and directors Of Americanization
that they are to be congratulated
upon doing work OF real service.
Governor Baxter took occasion to
pay tribute to the work OF DIR. Au-
gustus o. Thomas. State commits
sioner OF education. stating that
Maine Is very fortunate In having n
man such as DIR. Thomas to head
our Schools man who is known
not only in Maine and New England.
but through the whole country and
the educational world. 1--WE ara
fortunate in having as the head OF
our school department n man of vi
sion and man recognized in the
educational world as one OF the real
leaders," he said.
Miss Clara L. Soule
Preaching the Illiterates in Port
land" was the subject of an interesting
address given by Miss Clara l.. Soule.
director OF Americanization in that
city. She declared that she finds most
OF the foreigners she meets very will
Ing to accept our customs.
She urged Americanization teachers
to try to help tho illiterates to develop
their own possibilities and to show
thcm the best part OF America FIRST.
Many foreigners coming here learn the
slang before they learn good English.
Referring to her experiences in
teaching. she spoke of one afternoon
when nine mothers brought u babies
to tho classroom. The mothers could
not leave their little ones Mt home. so
nowi lady comes to tho classroom
each day To take care of the babies
white tho mothers are learning to read
and write. She spoke of numerous