(_Continued from page 3_)
Many other persons and organizations added their encouragement and
ideas to “Americans All—Immigrants All.” In November, 1935, when it
was announced that the Office of Education was to inaugurate a plan of
broadcasting, Dr. L. R. Alderman, Specialist in Adult Education, and for
many years an ardent contributor to Americanization work, urged the use
of radio as a medium for stimulating nation-wide appreciation of the
“cultures of the melting pot”. Mr. W. D. Boutwell, Director of the radio
project of the Office of Education, was active in developing program
ideas and conferring with Miss Roberta Newell of the Radio Division of
the New York City Board of Education, W.P.A. Adult Education Program,
about plans and techniques used by Miss Newell in her radio series,
“America Calling”, which was on the air in the Spring of 1937.
One of the most enthusiastic advocates and supporters of a comprehensive
radio presentation of the immigrants’ contribution to American life
is Mr. Avenire Toigo, Executive Secretary of the Illinois Committee
on Citizenship and Naturalization. He came to Washington in November,
1937, to urge us to prepare and present a program, and later suggested
the title “American Panorama”. Mr. Charles P. Schwartz, Chairman of the
Illinois Committee on Citizenship and Naturalization, also made several
visits to the Office, beginning in 1935, to assist and urge us to
increase our efforts in Americanization work.
In the research, planning, experimenting with script mechanisms and
production techniques, members of the Staff mentioned elsewhere in this
booklet have given devotedly of their time and talents. The Columbia
Broadcasting System and the W.P.A. have given indispensable assistance
in producing the broadcasts. Acknowledgment is also made to authors and
publishers whose books contributed to our thinking.
In preparing this booklet, valuable help was given by Dr. Alain Locke,
Howard University, Washington, D. C., and by Mr. W. W. Husband,
Washington, D. C., former Commissioner of Immigration.
J. W. STUDEBAKER,
_Commissioner of Education_.
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