Evening star., 1948-05-17
Truman Urges
Unity Of Aims al
Citizen Session
Clark Reeds Message
As 500 Assemble for
Three -Doy Conference

PRESIDENT truman UOuay Appcdlcu
to the Third National Conference on
Citizenship for a unity of purpose
in America that would assure free
dom, justice and opportunity for
ourselves and peoples everywhere.
The Presidents message was de-
livered through Attorney General
Clark at the opening session of the
conference in the auditorium of the
Interior Department where some
500 delegates prepared for the three
day session on problems vital to
American citizenship.
After welcoming the conference,
Mr.. Clark read a message from the
President which follows, in part:
There is no more precious pos
session today than United States
citizenship. A nation is no stronger
than its citizenry With many prob
lens facing us daily in this perplex-
ing and trying era, it is vital that
we have a unity of purpose-to the
end that freedom. justice and op-
portunity, good will and happiness
may be assured ourselves and peo-
Piles everywhere.
Sees Lasting Effect.
"I feel sure" the President said.
that the deliberations of the con-
ference on the rights and response
bilities of citizenship will have
constructive and lasting effect on
the future OF our beloved country.
Mr.. Clark announced that Charles
Evans Hughes, retired Chief JUS
tice and honorary chairman of the
conference, was unable to attend
the session. He sent word that he
Endorsed the objectives of the con-
ference and hoped it would carry
on the work started three years ago
which, he said. has been of such
great importance to American citi-
zens.
DR.. John w. Studebaker. Com
missioner Of Education, presided at
the opening session at which Amer
ican Legionnaires staged the mass
ing Of the colors while the United
States Army Band played.
The most important educational
task before America today, in view
of the total world situation, he
declared, is to give American school
and college students a picture of
what totalitarianism really is,
Hyatt Sounds Keynote.
"We must teach them what it is
We stand for and, even more clearly.
what we stand against and why
he said.
The keynote Of the conference ses-
sions-'rights and responsibilities of
citizenship"-was sounded at the
opening session by Carl B. Hyatt,
director of the Attorney Generals
citizenship program.
He told the conferees that this
country must attempt to build with
III its own borders way of life that
is filled with liberty and justice
Ior all.
we meet at a crucial time in
national and world history" he
told the conference "A spirit of
}neasiness. apprehension, even of
loar, is abroad in our land and
very land.
Must Choose a Philosophy.
we have to choose a philosophy
to live by-a philosophy Of hope, or
philosophy of fear. II we choose
a philosophy of fear and failure. We
shall destroy ourselves physically
and spiritually. If we choose a
philosophy of hope and courage, We
shall find good life for ourselves
and all humanity"
The observance of Am an Amer
lean Day. which was to have opened
the conference yesterday at the
Sylvan Theater, was cancelled be-
cause Of rain.
Herbert j. jacob, general chair
man of the observance, announced
that six students of the Americana
zation School will receive their cer-
'tiflcates at 8 pm. Thursday at the
Webster School. Awarding of the
certificates was to have been a fea-
ture of yesterdays ceremonies.