M

ANY years ago a writer dreamed a dream-the dream that America is a "melting-pot." It was a beautiful dream and a comfortable one, and many of us believed it until we learned a little more about America.

When I get weary of New York and long for a breath of Italy, where gesture, spaghetti, and vivacious glances contrast with solid Anglo-Saxonism, I pick up the telephone and make a luncheon engagement which takes me down to Lafayette Street, where wholesale houses disgorge endless streams of packing-cases. There, in the corner of a big restaurant, stands a round table to which only initiates are invited-the table at which sit editors of several of the big Italian papers. A chess game is always in progress. Several of the men can barely speak enough English to order a meal. Why should they? The host and the waiters are Italian, the cooking is Italian, and in their newspaper offices Italian is spoken and written. And they discuss Italian politics and Italian interests.

Or perhaps the Slavonic urge is strong in me-my thoughts turn to the Czechs. We gather in the restaurant of the National Alliance on Seventy-third Street, the headquarters for all Czech activities, ranging from political meetings to amateur theatricals. We speak English, true; but it is Foreign Minister Benes's policy in Prague which permeates the discussion. Temperatures rise, the conversation becomes bilingual, the maelstrom of European politics engulfs the gathering. We are in Prague, with its lacy Gothic structures and its narrow cobbled streets, and the "melting-pot" fades into a pale cloud.

Or is it of Ignace Paderewski that I wish to hear-the politician, not the musician? Then I go to a famous French café on University Place where Polish editors gather of an afternoon. A short and exceedingly stout man, immaculately groomed, is sputtering forth on the policies of President Pilsudski. And what this man says is important, for his point of view governs the thoughts of at least 8,500 readers; which number should be multiplied by five, since every issue of his paper is read by at least five other people besides the subscriber.

There are thirty-seven principal nationalities scattered throughout the United States, and each of these has at least one paper in its own language. The Census of 1920 places the foreignborn population at 13,712,754, and those of us who have studied the foreign press estimate that approximately seven million of these read the press of their own language; people whose contact with

ARE READING

BY NATALIE DE BOGORY

American life is almost exclusively bounded by the opinions of their favorite editor-the one man who knows how to bridge the distance between the mother country and the United States, the distance between the peasant from the small village in Europe and the awkward but ambitious "American" of the future.

And still there are people here who demand the elimination of the foreignlanguage press! They dream that if this is annihilated, future "Americans" will be forced to learn the English language SO as to read English newspapers.

This is the dream.

Unfortunately, it is not true to facts. A vast majority of our foreign-born would lose all contact with surrounding things if it were not for their own press. So, undoubtedly, the wisest course is to accept the situation as it is, but try in all possible ways to make this foreign press conform to American ideas by helping the editors give their readers information about the United States, its customs, institutions, and ideals.

One of the favorite pastimes among those of us who have tried to study this elusive foreign-language press is to compare notes as to the number of newspapers now existent in the United States.

Each of us has a different figure. We all warn the seeker after information that it is quite impossible to keep track of these publications, because they spring up overnight like mushrooms and they vanish like puffballs. However, the latest estimate places the number at 1,208, with an extremely unequal distribution among the various nationals.

Undoubtedly the greatest number of newspapers is owned by the Germans, for there are 238 papers of every character and answering all needs. A great number of these newspapers are serious and well established, as, for example, the "Staats-Zeitung," which first appeared in 1834. Three of the biggest newspapers in the Middle West are agricultural and have circulations varying from 35,000 to 116,000 in round figures.

The next numerically important group is that of the Italian newspapers, the number of which is 117. The "Progresso Italo-Americano" of New York alone has a guaranteed circulation of 97,808. It is the oldest paper, dating back to 1879.

The Slavs as a group have a great number of newspapers, each of which devotes much attention to European home politics, with sprinklings of information about the United States and

much pungent editorial writing on those subjects which touch on immigrant life in America.

The Poles have 76 newspapers, the oldest of which is the "America-Echo," founded in 1863, in Toledo, Ohio. The biggest newspaper in the East is the "Nowy Swiat," whose sworn circulation is 8,498. On the whole, the circulation of Polish newspapers is not large, but, as I have stated before, the figures do not represent the actual number of readers, but only the heads of families receiving the publications.

The Czechs have 66 newspapers, one of the biggest and oldest of which is the "Svornost" of Chicago, founded in 1875. In the East the "New Yorkske Listy" is fast becoming a publication of political importance on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The Slovaks, being fewer in number, have only 39 papers, of which one of the best and oldest is the "Slovak v Amerike," published in New York and in existence since 1889.

The Slovenians have 14 newspapers, with a circulation that reaches as high as 18,000. The Serbians have 7 papers; the Croatians, 9. The Russians have 18 newspapers, which include Ukrainian and Ruthenian publications. The standard of most of these papers is not high. The Bulgarians, on the other hand, have been satisfied with one paper, published in Granite City, Illinois, which weathered the Great War, and is re garded as a permanent institutionalthough its circulation is only about 5,000.

The Scandinavian press is an important and serious group, both as to the character of the papers and as to their solidity. There are 52 Swedish papers, some of which reach an approximate circulation of 57,000. The "Svenska Tribuna Nyleter" of Chicago was established in 1869; the "Svenska Standard," in 1879.

The Norwegian and Danish newspapers number 53, with circulations which in some cases are as high as those of the Swedish papers. The oldest of the Norwegian papers is the "Skandinaven" of Chicago, founded in 1866. This newspaper has well-known Norwegian professors on its editorial staff, and for over fifty years it has been the only connecting link between the farmers of the Middle West and the outside world. In spite of that, its circulation seems small-17,000-probably due to the fact that it is mainly a family paper.

The Spanish have 92 newspapers, of which the "Prensa" of New York is undoubtedly the best known to outsiders. Several of the other papers have sworn circulations of 18,000 and 19,000, and a

moving-picture magazine has a circulation of almost 20,000. The French have 48 papers.

The Hungarians represent another important group in American life. They have 27 newspapers, the circulations of several of which are between 30,000 and 40,000. The "Elore," published in New York, dates from 1890; the large "Amerikai Magyar Nepszava" of New York is of comparatively recent date1899.

The Greeks have 18 newspapers, the circulations of some of which reach 35,000.

The Yiddish press can be also included among the most important of the groups. Although numerically not so high, there being only 37 newspapers, it is solid and very influential. The "Jewish Daily Forward" alone has a sworn circulation of 141,226. There are only 3 papers in Hebrew, and the Spanish-speaking Jews, whose language is Ladino- -a patois of Spanish, just as Yiddish is a patois of German-have 2 newspapers with a circulation of about 5,000.

All these newspapers differ greatly in character. Some are dailies, others appear once a week, or are even monthly. In character many are purely religious and are supported by their respective churches. Others belong to athletic and mutual benefit societies, of which there are thousands among the foreign-born organizations that have deep roots among their own people and that form a close network over the United States. Political groups naturally have control of a great number the parties on American soil as well as the American branches of European parties. These latter conduct virulent campaigns against each other, and one of the secrets of success in working through the medium of the foreign press is the recognition of these antagonisms.

"The foreign press is a bulwark against Americanization," I have often been told, "because it fosters European interests to the exclusion of American ones."

This is quite true. I admit it. But, after all, the press exists to please its readers, and there is no evading the fact that immigrants in the United States come from Europe, and their interests will naturally remain European for years to come. The second generation loses these, just as it usually loses the mother tongue.

So far I have given reasons for supporting and aiding this stranger within our gates-helping, because it is through the foreign-language press that it is possible to take the first steps towards assimilation of Europe's indigestible masses. However, there are unfortunately other angles which make this press undesirable and a source of danger. But this should be still another reason for closer contact with it, and not a critical contact, but a friendly helpfulness.

The foreign newspaper, with its small

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pressure of modern life keeping them chained to their neglected shelves? Do you reread the books that used to hold you, or has their fascination dwindled? Do you read the classics? Have the moderns torn you away from the old standards? What of the adventures of your spirit among books? For the best brief essays on the above general subject, we will award a first prize of $40 a second prize of $25 a third prize of $15 Tell us frankly what your books mean to you. How did you form the habit of reading? What book made the first big impression on you? Is your reading general in scope or has it narrowed down to some special interest? Do you read more than you used to, or less? How many volumes do you actually read in a year? Are books ever read aloud in your home? These questions are merely offered to start you ruminating on this subject; it isn't necessary to answer them specifically. What we want are your candid and authentic impressions.

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circulation and an even smaller capital, has a hard struggle to exist at all. Except those papers which have a definite church or other backing, most of the papers are on an unsound financial basis. They just manage to get along, and that is all. So it is that the advertising page becomes of paramount importance, and, with this once established, many of the editors are driven to translate everything into dollars and cents, and so forget the welfare of their read

ers.

As a result, some of the worst frauds perpetrated on immigrants are advertised through the foreign papers. Farms which do not exist are sold, and the immigrant rarely has any redress. He is too ignorant. Stocks in the most fantastic undertakings are sold broadcast-in non-existent companies, in gold mines where only gold bricks could be found; the imagination of the scoundrels who prey on their own countrymen is truly versatile. One of the most serious sources of fraud are the so-called "fake doctors" a recognized form of advertising. In short, a study of the advertising pages of some of the foreign papers makes one wonder at the childish credulity of the readers. It also explains the immigrant's prevalent suspicion of all things "American." In Europe, living in his village, he was protected by laws passed by people familiar with his credulity; here, the only "America" he knows for years after his arrival is the America built up on the exploitation of his ignorance.

"I'm raising the standard of my paper," many a new editor has confided to me; "get rid of all that fake adver tising-especially the doctors," he would add, anticipating my next question.

The following step towards ameliorating the standard of a paper is to tell the truth regarding its circulation. This is just another deception, practiced to raise advertising rates. Unfortunately, it has done much to undermine confidence, not alone in these figures, but in any other statements that the papers have made. In short, most of the evils bred by the foreign-language press are the result of its utter poverty and its struggles to keep alive; the greenhorn immigrant is not a great buyer, he certainly is uneducated to advertising methods; so the one great revenue advertising-has to be nursed by methods often not beyond reproach.

Before the war the foreign press was not recognized except just before elections, when it was freely used by political parties, and then promptly forgotten. With the outbreak of the world conflict, however, the need for whole-hearted cooperation forced attention on the foreign press, and it received tender care. It responded loyally to every appeal of the Government, and it is hoped that this entente cordiale will persist. An intelligent education of seven million Americans would be a great stride towards a better United States.

GOVERNOR PINCHOT'S OPPORN OF PUBLIC DIG

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UNITY FOR THE CONSERVATION CITY AND BEAUTY

BON FUESSLE

PARK, ARNOLD W. BRUNNER, ARCHITECT

scribed with the names of Pennsylvania's soldiers and sailors who fell in the World War.

The first of the office buildings that will adjoin the Capitol has been completed. Each of its limestone columns is a huge monolith. The office buildings and the space below the terrace will provide the State with 300,000 square feet of usable space. All driveways, walks, entrances, and exits have been carefully planned by Mr. Brunner to accommodate the movement of the crowds that will eventually use the buildings and plaza. For the architect, like the playwright, has to know exactly how he is going to get his people on and off.

In the lobby of the Capitol at Harrisburg is an interesting exhibit, consisting of a plaster model of the entire project as it will appear when completed. The model measures about twelve by eighteen feet, and is exact in every detail, down to terrace, trees, fountains, lawns, walks, and driveways.

The work is under the direction of the State of Pennsylvania's Board of Buildings and Grounds, which consists of the Governor, the Auditor-General, and the Treasurer.

The project may not be completed for another decade, but already Pennsylvania's executives, legislators, and taxpayers are absorbed by the vision of the gifted architect who was the first to see how the State's official life might be enacted on a great and appropriate stage.

The encouragement, if not the completion, of this plan is the new Governor's great opportunity in the domain of public dignity and beauty.

he considered the faulty propor of the existing State House by ing the front of it, and providing ing approach by a broad flight of . Then he broke up the stern lines 3 stairs with a semicircular stone m. Next he planned a forecourt undred feet in width, flanked on sides by office buildings in the of the Italian Renaissance. the heroic forecourt, he designed Snal park, sentineled with trees in formation and flanked in turn by for extensive office buildings to cted on the unit plan when rehis gorgeous setting, echoing Verand Fontainebleau, Pennsylvania ave an incomparable forum for rations and other official cere

Be

PART OF SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MEMORIAL BRIDGE

A

YEAR or two ago an article appeared in The Outlook from the pen of Mr. Bok telling stories illustrating the remarkable honesty of the people of Holland. Ever since reading it I have felt inclined to write a companion article in regard to the every-day honesty of the Japanese people.

I know that Japan has a totally different reputation in the minds of many of the people of America. That hoary old lie about Japanese banks and business firms employing Chinese clerks because of their superior honesty is still floating about here in America. That story has the vitality of the Wandering Jew.

I shall not argue in regard to Japanese honesty, nor shall I attempt to deny the facts which have led to the bad reputation of the Japanese in their international business transactions. shall simply tell true stories which are typical of every-day life in Japan.

I

Two years ago I was taking a party of American friends from Tokyo to Nikko. At one of the stations I got off to buy the little pots of tea which we buy at any Japanese station for three cents. I paid the boy the total amount for the number of pots we needed for the party. The boy was handing up to me the pots of tea as fast as he could fill them, but before he could give me the last pot of tea the train moved out. I went back into the car and said to my friends, "Well, we are out three cents on that deal." But we were not out three cents, for we were in Japan. At the next station a railway official came into the car and asked in a loud voice, "Who left three cents at the last station for tea?" I said, "I did." He handed the three cents over to me and jumped off the train.

Two friends of mine went to the Uyeno Station, where one bought a ticket for the north. After they had left the ticket window, the one who had bought the ticket looked at his change and said, "I think I gave the ticketseller a ten-yen bill, and he has given me change for a five-yen bill." They went back to the window and spoke to the ticket-seller about it. He replied that he thought that he had given them the correct change, but if they would leave their address he would be able to tell later whether any mistake had been made. They left their address and went away and forgot the whole thing. At the end of the month a letter came to the one who lived in Tokyo, asking him to call at the station. When he presented his card at the window, the missing change from the ten-yen bill was handed to him, with many apologies. The ticket-seller explained that at the end of the month they were in that

much money in their accounts and that it must belong to him.

You cannot lose anything in Japan. If you leave a camera or your pocketbook on the train or street car, you will be sure to find them when you go the next day to the proper place. A friend of mine left a very expensive camera in Yokohama last summer. He discovered his loss after he was at sea. On the ship, having plenty of time, he wrote letters back to the various hotels in Yokohama where he had stopped, to the Young Men's Christian Association, where he had taken lunch, to the Japan Tourist Bureau, to an American friend in Yokohama, and, last of all, to the Yokohama police. Upon his return to America he began to get letters from Yokohama. The hotels, the Y. M. C. A., the Tourist Bureau, all wrote that they had no knowledge of his camera.. The American friend wrote, stating that he had begun a letter to tell him that he had not left the camera at his home, but a policeman came in bringing the camera, and said that it had been left in a little fruit store at the foot of the Bluff. It had been turned over to the police, and they had kept it until they had found to whom it belonged, and the camera was soon on its way to America.

I left an umbrella hanging on the railing out at the end of the wharf in Yokohama, where a big crowd had gathered waiting for an incoming steamer. After reaching the railway station I discovered my loss, and, being in Japan, I felt it worth while to go back and see if I could find my umbrella. I found it hanging where I left it an hour before. Another time I left an umbrella in the crowded passageway of one of the railway stations in Tokyo, leaning up against the wall. I missed it after an hour or so, and went back to find it still leaning against the wall where I had left it.

An American young woman who lives in China left Tokyo on her long journey back to Peking by rail. It was at the time when the most alarming stories were being circulated in the American papers in regard to the way in which Americans were being treated in Japan, so I asked this young American woman to write me about her experiences on that long journey of two thousand miles alone on Japanese railways. Among the experiences she wrote me about was one which illustrates Japanese honesty. At Fusan she gave her ticket and her checks to one of the red-cap boys in the station to get her baggage rechecked and sent on north through Korea. The boy brought back her ticket and her new checks and the change from the excess baggage, just as the train was pulling out of the station. She managed to

take the ticket and the checks, and as the train pulled out she called back to the boy to "Keep the change." After a night's ride she arrived in Seoul the next morning. A station official met her and gave her an envelope in which was the exact change she had left at Fusan the night before.

Two American young women were traveling from Tokyo up into North Japan. They bought express tickets for Aomori, where they were to change cars and take a branch line to their destination. The express train was late in Aomori, which is an unusual thing to happen in Japan with express trains, and they missed their connection and had to wait for a later train. They made no complaint, and when the time came went out and took their places in the second train. An official from the station came in before the train pulled out and gave them the amount of their express tickets from Tokyo to Aomori, explaining that as the express was late it was not right that they should pay the extra express fare.

One of our American women was traveling alone a few years ago in the interior of Japan in a second-class car. As a part of her lunch she had a tinned can of fruit which some Japanese friend had given her. She could not open the can, and, although the other passengers tried to help her and the train boy, none of them were able to get the can open. After leaving a station the train boy told her to wait until they got to the next station. When they reached the next station, a man came in with a canopener! The boy had telephoned ahead for a can-opener to be brought to the train for the convenience of this American passenger. This also was at the time when we were hearing such sad steries from America of the way we were being treated in Japan. Friends from America arriving in Yokohama were afraid to get off the ship. They were afraid of being maltreated and spit upon by the Japanese people, and afraid that they would be arrested at the first chance by the Japanese police!

car.

An old gentleman from California came out to spend the winter at that time. One day he had occasion to cross the expansive city of Tokyo by trolley We put him on the car in front of our compound and told the conductor where the old gentleman wished to go. It was necessary for him to change cars several times. At the first transfer corner the conductor held up his car, full of passengers, which means nothing in the Orient, and conducted the old gentleman across the corner to the conductor of the second car and told him where he wished to go. When they came to the second transfer corner, the conductor of the second car did the