Evening star., 1924-03-11
A|DF0R MOTHERS
OF ALIENS FAVORED.
Council Of Social Agencies Is
Told Need of Homemaker's
Americanization.

Extension of America nization work
here along the line Of greater aid to
the foreign-born mother was urged
by Miss Maude L. Alton, principal of
America nization work in the public
schools. at a meeting Of the council
of social agencies yesterday after
noon at the Raleigh Hotel. >..
Declaring that the social agencies
of the city have an important part
to play in such work, Miss Alton
said there was great necessity of
trying to put the foreign mother
back in her rishtful place In the
home
With the children attending the
public schools and the father attend
ing the Americanization schools. the
tendency is for the mother to lose
out" in her relations with her chill
dren. while the latter and the father
go ahead, Miss Alton said.
Keep Mothers Up-to-Date.
Children OF foreign-born parents
sometimes come to look upon the
mother as hopelessly old-fashioned.
not as good as their teacher ana
other women. the speaker continued.
but by proper work with the mother
she may be taught 10 keep abreast of
her children and regain her place In
the home.
Miss Alton said there are 10000
foreien born in the District. OF whom
about $4,000 are not naturaiized.
While there are 1900 illiterates in
in the District, she continued, less
than 1000 are foreign born.
She explained the organization of
foreign born studolts into an asso-
citation, and told of the work accom-
plished by them. This is a real piece
OF work in Americaaization, done by
the students themselves, the speaker
continued, the students having re-
Questcd that their former natfonali-
ties be left out of the book which
nationalities are represented in the
list Of officers, yet they are one now
American.
Give Mach InfsrAafion.
+ The Americanization school here
performs the function Of an informa-
tion bureau to its students and the
families they represent, Miss Alton
explained. as the foreign -born look to
it for information in many topics.
o. T. Moore OF the bureau OF nat
urslization told of the necessarily in
innate relation of this work to the
Amerieanization program. In 1915
there were about thirty-five Ameri-
fanization schools in the United
States. Today there are such classes
in 1900 cities. he said.
The natural contact Of the bureau
OF naturalization with the foreign
born is tho one and only reason the
bureau has invaded the field Of edu-
cation, Mr.. Moore continued. He said
that the standard sought is that each
applicant for naturalization be able
to read a newspaper intelligently.
Act On Ssnxhine Heme.
That the social agencies in the Dis
trict have a great opportunity to help
In Americanization work was pointed
out by both speakers.
The council voted to drop from men,
bership the Sunshine Home for Women.
because OF its failure to receive the in
dorsement Of the charities Endorsement
committee Of the District. A letter was
read from the home stating that 1t
would withdraw from the council.
A resolution was adopted calling for
the consideration of the proposed public
welfare department at an early. prob
ably the next. meeting Of the council.
Reports of Newbold N0yes, treasurer
and other officers showed the affairs Of
the council to be in excellent condition.
John Ihider presided.