FEDERAL TEXTBOOK 
 ON CITIZENSHIP 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 A Supplementary Literacy Reader 
 
 Book 2 
 
 
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 OCT 19 1043 
 
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ij'iiVEHSITY OF iLLliWlS 
 
 ORHAiYi 
 
 The Gardners 
 Beeome Citizens 
 
 BOOK 2 
 
 A READER 
 
 FOR USE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS 
 BY CANDIDATES 
 FOR NATURALIZATION 
 
 
 tME UP»»fiV Of' W£ 
 
 OCT 19 1943 
 
 tl«iWS!?GiTV eif II.; ;Nr,iP 
 
 UNITED STATES 
 
 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
 WASHINGTON : 1943 
 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 
 
 Francis Biddle, Attorney General 
 
 IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE 
 
 Earl G. Harrison, Commissioner 
 
32 - 3.6 
 ■ -llyy 3g ' 
 
 V. 2. 
 
 Oa 
 
 - Foreword 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens is prepared at 
 two levels of reading ability. The lesson arrange¬ 
 ment and the story are the same in each book. This 
 plan makes it possible for a teacher to combine two 
 groups of varying ability for group discussion. 
 
 The preparation of the manuscript was financed 
 by funds provided by the Work Projects Adminis¬ 
 tration of the Federal Works Agency, and the 
 illustrations were provided by the Art Project of the 
 Work Projects Administration in New York City. 
 
 William F. Russell, Director, 
 National Citizenship Education Program. 
 
CHICAGO 
 
Book 2 
 
 Lesson 1 
 
 JOHN GARDNER 
 
 1 
 
 John Gardner lived in Chicago. He came to this country 
 many years ago. He became a citizen as soon as he could. 
 
 He worked all day. He went to night school. He learned 
 to speak English. He learned many things about this 
 country. 
 
 John liked this country. He worked hard and saved his 
 money. He wanted to save enough to brin^his father and 
 mother here. He saved enough to have a home, too. Each 
 week he put away some money for his parents. Each 
 week he put away some money for the new house. 
 
 JOHN WORKED HARD AND SAVED HIS MONEY 
 
2 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 John wrote many letters to his father and mother. He 
 told them what to do to get ready. He told them he was 
 almost ready to send for them. He said they should do all 
 the things he told them. He said, ‘‘I want you to come into 
 this country in the right way. I want you to become citizens 
 of the United States.” 
 
 At last John had enough money to send for his father and 
 mother. He had the new home. He wrote to his father and 
 mother to come. He went to meet them when it was time 
 for their ship to come. 
 
 He hoped they would have no trouble with the immigra¬ 
 tion officers. He wanted to be there when his father and 
 mother came. He wondered how they would get along. 
 Would they have their necessary papers? Would they be 
 glad to live in this country? 
 
Book 2 
 
 Lesson 2 
 
 GOOD-BYE 
 
 3 
 
 John’s parents were glad to come to this country. They 
 had done all the things John had told them to do. They 
 had seen the American consul. They had sent him the nec¬ 
 essary papers. They had their photographs made. They 
 waited three long years until 
 the quota would let them come 
 to America. At last they were 
 told they could come. 
 
 One day in May they were 
 ready to leave. They were sad 
 to think of leaving their home¬ 
 land. It was beautiful in May. 
 
 Their little home looked best 
 
 this time of year. They had Vhey'weRE TOLD 
 
 lived in it many years. THEY COULD COME 
 
 Their friends came to the train to see them off. They 
 thought it would be wonderful to go to America. ‘‘Good¬ 
 bye, good-bye,” said their friends. “Write to us often.” 
 The Gardners had never traveled 6n a train before. Most 
 of their friends had never traveled on a train. 
 
 Soon the train stopped at a large city by the sea. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Gardner got on a big ship.. They looked back as the 
 ship pulled away. They looked and looked until they could 
 no longer see land. “We must not be sad,” said Mr. Gard¬ 
 ner. “There is much for us to be happy about. John will 
 be waiting for us. We have some old friends over there. 
 We shall soon make new friends.” 
 
4 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 3 
 
 THE UNITED STATES 
 
 The ship arrived in New York in about a week. The 
 doctors and immigration oflScers came out to the ship. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Gardner showed their papers to these men. They 
 hoped they would meet the immigration laws. Not all peo¬ 
 ple who come to the United States are permitted to come in. 
 Some must go back. 
 
 The immigration oflGicers asked the Gardners to show their 
 papers. The officers said the papers were all right. The 
 doctors gave Mr. and Mrs. Gardner a health examination. 
 They said the Gardners were in good health. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gardner were very happy. They could 
 come into the United States. Tomorrow they would see 
 John. 
 
 Morning came. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner were up early. 
 They could not dress fast enough. They looked at all the 
 strange things. There was the big statue John had told 
 them about. It seemed to say it was glad they had come. 
 They were getting near their port of entry. There were 
 many, many people but they could not see John. 
 
 ‘‘There he is; there is our John,” said Mr. Gardner. 
 There was John, looking very happy. It was so good to be 
 with him again. 
 
Book 2 
 
 5 
 
 THERE WAS THE BIG STATUE JOHN HAD TOLD THEM ABOUT 
 
6 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 4 
 
 NEW PLACES 
 
 John called a taxi to take ms parents through the busy 
 streets of New York. They looked at the tall buildings. 
 They seemed even more wonderful than the pictures. They 
 looked so strong and tall. ‘‘We call them skyscrapers,” 
 said John. 
 
 The traffic lights were new to Mr. and Mrs. Gardner. 
 John explained the signals to them as the taxi stopped for 
 a red light. “You see the red light facing us now? That 
 means we must stop. 
 
 “Green means to go.” 
 
 Mr. Gardner thought the traffic 
 signals were the most wonderful 
 things he had ever seen. “I have 
 many strange things to show 
 you,” said John. 
 
 JOHN EXPLAINED THE SIGNALS TO THEM AS THE TAXI 
 STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT 
 
Book 2 
 
 7 
 
 THEY COULD LOOK OVER THE CITY AND SEE MANY 
 WONDERFUL THINGS 
 
 John and his parents stayed in New York for three days. 
 They stopped at a large hotel. It had many floors. They 
 could look over the city and see many wonderful things. 
 The electric signs seemed wonderful to them. Many things 
 were new and strange to them. They were glad John was 
 there to explain everything. ‘‘We could not find our way 
 alone,” said Mr. Gardner. “We must do what John tells 
 us. We must learn English soon so that we can find our 
 way alone.” 
 
 John said that he must go back to Chicago. He must 
 report for work in two days. 
 
8 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 5 
 
 A NEW HOME 
 
 The Gardners got on the train in the evening. The elec¬ 
 tric lights were on. They were interested in everything. 
 The train was larger than the one they rode on in their 
 country. 
 
 The next day they arrived in Chicago. They got on a 
 streetcar because John’s house was a long way from the 
 station. They saw more skyscrapers. They thought the 
 people were very busy. Policemen helped with the traflSc. 
 
 At last they arrived at John’s house. It was a small house 
 with five rooms in it. His mother and father would live 
 with him. There was much light and air in the house. 
 John’s mother was pleased with it. She saw the sink \dth 
 hot and cold water. John showed them the bright, clean 
 bathroom. They thought John must be very rich. Cer¬ 
 tainly he had a very comfortable home. 
 
Book 2 9 
 
 JOHN SHOWED THEM THE BRIGHT, CLEAN BATHROOM 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gardner asked about their friends who had 
 come to Chicago. John called them on the telephone. He 
 asked them to come in that evening. The old friends were 
 glad to see each other. Some of them looked well and 
 happy. Some of them looked old for their years. They 
 did not look happy. Mr. Gardner wondered why it was. 
 
 Another interesting thing for the Gardners was the fine 
 dinner. ‘‘This is a land of comfort,” said Mr. Gardner. 
 
 John went to work the next day. He had a good job. 
 He worked hard and spent his money wisely. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gardner were very busy. There was so 
 much to learn about the new home. They must write to 
 their friends in the old country. They must tell them about 
 this wonderful place. 
 
10 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 6 
 
 AMERICAN FRIENDS 
 
 The Gardners tried hard to learn the ways of the Amer¬ 
 ican people. They met some American neighbors. The 
 neighbors showed Mrs. Gardner how to prepare American 
 food. The Gardners learned a few words each day and soon 
 could speak with the neighbors. They learned to do the 
 buying in the neighborhood stores. They took the street¬ 
 cars and went to visit their friends. 
 
 TJIE NEIGHBORS SHOWED MRS. GARDNER HOW TO PREPARE 
 
 AMERICAN FOOD 
 
 One Saturday John said he would like to send an invi¬ 
 tation to three of his American friends. He would like to 
 have them come to dinner the next day. ‘‘These friends 
 are Mr. and Mrs. Nelson and their son, Edward,” said John. 
 “They have been very kind to me. They helped me when 
 I came to this country.” 
 
Book 2 
 
 11 
 
 ‘‘We shall be glad to meet your friends,” said Mrs. 
 Gardner. 
 
 “I’ll help your mother prepare the dinner,” said Mr. 
 Gardner. “What shall we have for dinner, John?” 
 
 “I think my friends would enjoy a dinner of old country 
 cooking,” said John. 
 
 The Nelsons accepted the invitation with pleasure. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Nelson and their son, Edward, arrived promptly. 
 John met them at the door and took them to his parents. It 
 was hard for them to visit with each other. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Gardner did not know the English language very well. 
 John told them what the Nelsons said. Then he told the 
 Nelsons what his parents said. Mrs. Nelson said they 
 enjoyed the dinner. She hoped Mrs. Gardner would show 
 her how she prepared some of the dishes. Mrs. Gardner 
 said she would be glad to show her. She wanted to learn 
 how to prepare American dishes. 
 
 JOHN MET THEM AT THE DOOR AND TOOK THEM TO HIS 
 
 PARENTS 
 
12 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 The Nelsons went home. The Gardners talked for a long 
 time about the visit. It was a pleasant visit. ‘‘We would 
 enjoy these visits more if we could speak English. We must 
 learn the language soon,” they said. “The Nelsons must 
 be our friends, too.” 
 
Book 2 
 
 13 
 
 Lesson 7 
 
 AN OLD FRIEND 
 
 One summer afternoon the Gardners went to the park. 
 Mrs. Gardner wanted to see the flower show. Mr. Gardner 
 wanted to see the great American game called baseball. 
 He walked to the flower show after the game. He met an 
 old friend on the way. He had known him in the old coun¬ 
 try. ‘‘Let us sit here and talk,” said Mr. Gardner. “Did 
 you enjoy the ball game?” His friend thought it was a 
 good game. 
 
 They talked about many things. The friend asked many 
 questions about the homeland. Were the people having a 
 hard time? Were there many changes? Were their old 
 friends still there ? 
 
 Then they talked about the United States. This time 
 Mr. Gardner asked most of the questions. “How long ago 
 did you come to the United States?” 
 
 “About thirty years ago,” said his friend. 
 
 “Then you became a citizen many years ago,” said Mr. 
 Gardner. 
 
 “No, I am sorry to say I am not a citizen,” said his friend. 
 
 “I wonder why so many of my friends are not citizens,” 
 said Mr. Gardner. “Is it very hard to become a citizen?” 
 
 “No, but there is much to learn,” said his friend. 
 “When my friends and I came to the United States we 
 did not think about becoming citizens. We had chosen the 
 United States to be our home. It was our country now and 
 we thought that was all there was to it. I wish I were a citi¬ 
 zen, but it is too late now, I am too old.” 
 
 “But you are just my age,” said Mr. Gardner. “I intend 
 to become a citizen,” 
 
14 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 8 
 
 IS IT BETTER TO BE A CITIZEN? 
 
 Mr. Gardner’s friend continued to speak. ‘‘I enj oy many 
 of the same rights that citizens enjoy. My life is protected. 
 My home and my freedom are protected. I pay no more 
 tax than a citi'^^^^ 
 
 I read newspapers 
 printed in my own 
 language. I have a 
 bank account. It is 
 protected.” 
 
 Why do you now 
 think it is better to 
 be a citizen?” asked 
 Mr. Gardner. 
 
 “I have learned / ^ 
 
 , . , ' . . MRS. GARDNER CAME OUT OF THE 
 
 to think ol America FLOWER SHOW. SHE, TOO, WAS GLAD 
 
 as my country,” said TO MEET AND OLD FRIEND 
 
 his friend. “I love it. I want to vote. I want to have some¬ 
 thing to say about how my city and my country shall be run. 
 I want to be a part of it. 
 
 ‘‘My wife and I think that if we were citizens our children 
 would be nearer to us. They speak the English language 
 well. They are citizens. They have many American 
 friends. They are a part of the country. 
 
 “Our ways are different. People still think of us as be¬ 
 longing to the old country. Many of our old friends have 
 gone. It is hard for us to make new ones. We stay at home. 
 We are alone. There is little for us to do.” 
 
Book 2 
 
 15 
 
 ‘‘You can make new friends,” said Mr. Gardner. “I will 
 ask John. He will tell us how.” 
 
 Mrs. Gardner came out of the flower show. She, too, 
 was glad to meet an old friend. She asked him to come to 
 see them soon. “We shall have another good talk,” said 
 Mr. Gardner. 
 
 “Good-bye.” 
 
16 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 9 
 
 CITIZENSHIP MAKES A DIFFERENCE 
 
 John Gardner belonged to a National Club. He invited 
 his parents to a party which his club gave at a hotel. They 
 met many people from their old country. 
 
 AFTER DINNER THERE WAS A SPEECH. THE SPEAKER WAS 
 AN IMPORTANT MAN 
 
Book 2 
 
 17 
 
 First they had a fine dinner. There was music while they 
 ate. It made the tears come to their eyes. It was the music 
 of their homeland. 
 
 After dinner there was a speech. The speaker was an 
 important man. He, too, was from their homeland. Now 
 he is a citizen of the United States. He talked to them in 
 their own language. His subject had but three words. The 
 title was ‘‘Visitors or Voters.” 
 
 He said, “Most of us came here to make our homes. We 
 did not come to make money to take back to the old country. 
 Few of us came here to study and then go back. We came 
 here to work and live. 
 
 “We gave much to this country, too. We helped to build 
 railroads, to mine coal, to farm the land. We gave music 
 and art. 
 
 “There were hard times, but we had work. We made 
 more money than we did in the old country. People were 
 kind to us. We made many friends. Many of us became 
 citizens. We learned the language. We obeyed the laws. 
 We were happy. We thought we had done enough.” 
 
18 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 10 
 
 WHAT DO THE CITIZENS THINK? 
 
 ‘‘Times like these bring changes for noncitizens,” said 
 the speaker. “People are afraid that we may not be loyal 
 to the United States. Citizens are employed first. Some 
 States pass laws that favor citizens. There are laws which 
 protect citizens who are out of work. There are laws which 
 protect citizens who are too old to work. Those who are 
 not citizens are often not protected by these laws. 
 
 “Now they are beginning to think of us as visitors. We 
 have stayed a long time but have not become a part of this 
 country. 
 
 “You all like to have visitors in your home. But what 
 about visitors who stay too long or do not pay their way? 
 Do you like it when visitors do not help with the home 
 work? No, you do not like it. Sometimes the citizens feel 
 that way about us. 
 
 “Are the citizens right? Shall we go back to the old 
 country? Or shall we become citizens? Becoming a citi¬ 
 zen makes a big difference. We are then part of the coun¬ 
 try. Becoming a citizen means more than receiving rights. 
 It means that we have more duties, too. 
 
 “The United States Government is a democracy. The 
 people make the Government in a democracy. Each per¬ 
 son’s vote is important. It is not easy to build a good gov¬ 
 ernment, It takes honest living, honest working, honest 
 voting. It takes loyal citizens. 
 
Book 2 
 
 19 
 
 can show that we are loyal. We can show that we 
 are not visitors. We can become citizens. The Immigra¬ 
 tion and Naturalization Service will help us. Free eve¬ 
 ning schools will help. We all ought to try to become good 
 citizens of our new homeland.” 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gardner did not say much on the way home. 
 John saw that they were thinking. At home they talked 
 about the speech. They talked about their friends who 
 were citizens and those who were not. 
 
 *‘We must become citizens as soon as we can,” said the 
 Gardners. ‘‘John will tell us what things we must do.” 
 
 MR. AND MRS. GARDNER DID NOT SAY MUCH ON THE WAY 
 
 HOME 
 
20 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 11 
 
 THE FIRST STEP TO CITIZENSHIP 
 
 The Gardners were determined to become citizens of the 
 United States. They talked with their son John about it. 
 John knew how to help them because he had gone through 
 the same experience. 
 
 They asked many questions. John’s mother asked, ‘Tf 
 father becomes a citizen, will that make me one ?” 
 
 ‘‘No; there are some things you must do, too,” said John. 
 
 “How soon can we become citizens?” asked Mrs. 
 Gardner. 
 
 “You have just arrived so it will be necessary for you to 
 wait five years,” John said. 
 
 “But why must we wait? We want to be citizens as soon 
 as possible,” said Mrs. Gardner. 
 
 “The American naturalization laws determine these 
 things,” said John. “You may make your application for 
 declaration of intention at once. But you will not receive 
 final citizenship papers for five years. Five years is not 
 too long. You have many things to learn. 
 
 “You will want to learn to speak and to understand Eng¬ 
 lish. You will want to learn to read and write English. 
 You will want to learn American ways. You will want to 
 know how the Government works. You need to know your 
 duties as well as your rights.” 
 
 Mrs. Gardner asked, “How can we learn so much?” 
 
 “You should go to school,” said John. 
 
Book 2 
 
 21 
 
 ‘‘Go to school!” said John’s father. “No school! Old 
 people do not go to school. We have no money for school.” 
 
 “It costs no money,” said John. 
 
 “Do we have to go to school to become citizens ?” asked 
 John’s father. 
 
 “No,” said John, “but I think you ought to try. It is a 
 good place to practice speaking English. You will meet 
 new people and make new friends. It is a good place to 
 learn about the American way of life. 
 
 “I must go now, we will talk about the school tonight. I 
 shall bring home the applications for your declaration of 
 intention. We shall study them this evening.” 
 
 The Gardners did not say much. They were afraid they 
 could never learn the American ways. They did agree 
 with John. They ought to try. 
 
22 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 12 
 
 WHAT THINGS MUST WE DO FIRST? 
 
 John and his parents sat around the table after dinner. 
 They studied the application papers which John had 
 brought home. 
 
 ‘‘What is the first thing we must do?” asked John’s 
 father. 
 
 “You must make your applications for your declaration 
 of intention,” answered John. 
 
 “What does that mean, John?” asked his mother. 
 
 “You and father must answer the questions on these pa¬ 
 pers,” said John. “They are the applications for the decla¬ 
 ration of intention. The application^ will show the Gov¬ 
 ernment that you want to become citizens.” 
 
 “My neighbor did not make a declaration of intention,” 
 said John’s mother. 
 
 “No, her husband became a citizen several years ago,” 
 said John. “She did not need to make a declaration of 
 intention because her husband was a citizen. If you and 
 father want to become citizens at the same time, you must 
 do the same things that father does.” 
 
 John read the application to them. They learned that 
 they must each have three photographs. They must sign 
 their names on the margins of the photographs. They must 
 each have a money order for $2.50. 
 
 John told them to have their photographs made*the next 
 day. “Take your papers with you so the man will make the 
 right kind of photographs,” said John. “Then go to the 
 
Book 2 23 
 
 JOHN WROTE THE ANSWERS ON THE APPLICATIONS 
 
 post office. Ask the man at the window for two money order 
 forms. We will fill them out tonight.” 
 
 The Gardners did what John told them to do. They had 
 their photographs made. They brought home the money- 
 
 MR. AND MRS. GARDNER ASKED FOR TWO MONEY-ORDER 
 FORMS AT THE POST OFFICE 
 
24 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 order applications. That night John made out the money- 
 order applications. He showed his parents how to make 
 them out. The money orders were to be made payable to 
 the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturahzation, 
 Washington, D. C. Each was to cost $2.50. This money 
 was to pay for their certificates of arrival. 
 
 Mr. Gardner took the money order applications and the 
 money to the post office the next day. The man at the money 
 order window wrote the two money orders. He charged 
 eight cents each for making them out. This is a safe way 
 to send money through the mail. 
 
Book 2 
 
 Lesson 13 
 
 APPLICATION FOR DECLARATION 
 OF INTENTION 
 
 25 
 
 Saturday evening the Gardners worked on their appli¬ 
 cations for the declaration of intention. John read the 
 questions. His father and mother told him the answers. 
 John wrote the answers on the applications. 
 
 When the questions were all answered John showed his 
 mother where to sign her name. His father signed his 
 name in the right place. They each signed their three pho¬ 
 tographs in the margins with ink. They put their money 
 orders and their photographs with the papers. 
 
 They mailed all these things to their Immigration and 
 Naturalization oflSce. They knew that it would take some 
 time to examine the papers. They knew the office would 
 notify them when to come for their first papers. John 
 asked, ‘‘Do you know that you have to pay another two dol¬ 
 lars and a half when you go for the first papers ?” 
 
 JOHN READ THE APPLICATION TO THEM 
 
26 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 WHEN THE QUESTIONS WERE ALL ANSWERED, JOHN SHOWED 
 HIS MOTHER WHERE TO SIGN HER NAME 
 
 Yes, we will take the money with us,” said Mr. Gardner. 
 One day a letter came asking them to make their declara¬ 
 tions of intention. They went to the office. 
 
 MR. AND MRS. GARDNER SWORE TO TELL THE TRUTH 
 
Book 2 
 
 27 
 
 The clerk asked Mrs. Gardner to come into his oflSce. He 
 asked her to raise her right hand. Mrs. Gardner swore to 
 tell the truth. She declared her intention of becoming a 
 citizen of the United States. Mr. Gardner was sworn in 
 and declared his intention of becoming a citizen. 
 
 Each signed a declaration of intention. Each paid the 
 clerk two dollars and a half. Each received a copy of his 
 declaration of intention. They went home happy. They 
 had their first papers. 
 
 EACH SIGNED A DECLARATION OF INTENTION 
 
28 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 14 
 
 THINGS WE MUST KNOW 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have been in the United States 
 five years. They went to school to learn how to be citizens. 
 English is not an easy language to learn. John helped 
 them by speaking English with them at home. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gardner know now what it means to be a 
 citizen in a democracy. They know how important it is 
 for all of us to work together. They know that we must 
 share the responsibilities if we are to keep our form of 
 government. ' 
 
 They know how important it is for every voter to read, 
 to listen, and to think for himself. Some people want us 
 to believe all of what we hear. Some of the things we hear 
 are not true. We need to learn what to beheve and what 
 not to believe. 
 
Book 2 
 
 29 
 
 One day at school the teacher talked with the people who 
 were ready for citizenship. ^‘There are a few final things 
 we should talk about again,” she said. “Some of you have 
 special questions. The Immigration and Naturalization 
 Service will help you with them.” 
 
 The class named the following requirements: 
 
 You must live in the United States five years or more 
 before you petition for citizenship. 
 
 You must live in the State in which you petition for 
 citizenship six months before you file your petition. 
 
 Your declaration of intention must not be more than 
 seven or less than two years old. 
 
 You must show that you are of good moral character. 
 
 You must show that you believe in the Constitution of 
 the United States. 
 
30 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 You must bring two American citizens who can show 
 that the things you say are true. 
 
 You must show that you know how the United States 
 came to be. 
 
 You must show that you know how the Government 
 of the United States works. 
 
 You must show that you understand how the State and 
 local governments work. 
 
 You must be able to speak English. 
 
 You must be able to sign your application for natural¬ 
 ization in your own handwriting using Enghsh 
 letters. 
 
Book 2 
 
 31 
 
 Lesson 15 
 
 OTHER THINGS YOU MUST KNOW 
 
 ‘‘The examiner will ask you if you have ever been 
 arrested. If you have, you must say so. You must tell what 
 happened. You must give true answers to all questions. 
 If you do not give true answers, the Government may not 
 permit you to become a citizen. 
 
 “The law says you must bring two witnesses. They must 
 be citizens of the United States. They must know you well. 
 The court will ask them many questions about you. They 
 must give true answers to the questions. They must know 
 that you have lived in the United States for the last five 
 years. They must know that you have lived in the State 
 for the last six months. If you have lived in more than one 
 place in the last five years, you must have two witnesses 
 from each place. 
 
32 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 ‘‘The court will ask them what you do in your home and 
 your neighborhood. The court wants to know whether you 
 will be a loyal citizen. It wants to know whether you be¬ 
 lieve in our kind of government. 
 
 “Your application for citizenship will ask whether you 
 have read the oath of allegiance. You know this oath. You 
 have read it in class many times. Let us think together 
 about what it means: 
 
 You must say under oath that you will give up all alle¬ 
 giance to the country or rulers of the country from 
 which you came. 
 
 You must say that you will defend the Constitution 
 of the United States against all enemies. 
 
 You must say you believe in our kind of government. 
 
 You must say that you wish to become a citizen. 
 
 You must say that you understand what you are doing. 
 
 You must say that no one is making you take the oath. 
 
 “You may still love your homeland,” said the teacher. 
 “You should always be proud of the good things your coun¬ 
 try and your people have done to make the world better. 
 But now you have chosen a new homeland. To this coun¬ 
 try—to these United States—you give your loyalty.” 
 
Book 2 
 
 Lesson 16 
 
 PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION 
 
 33 
 
 Some of the people in the class were ready to file their 
 apphcations for naturalization. The teacher told them 
 about the papers they would need. 
 
 Three signed photographs. 
 
 Declaration of intention (if one is needed). 
 
 Alien registration receipt card. 
 
 Five dollars. (Those who did not have to file a decla¬ 
 ration of intention and did not get a certificate of 
 arrival will have to pay $2.50 for it now.) 
 
 ‘‘You must fill out applications for naturaUzation. 
 Some of you will have help at home and I shall be glad to 
 help the others,” the teacher said. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gardner would have John’s help. They 
 could speak Enghsh now. They could read the English 
 language newspapers. They could understand our kind 
 of government. They talked about elections. They talked 
 about the men for whom they should vote. They learned 
 about political parties. They talked about city govern¬ 
 ment. 
 
34 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 John was proud 
 
 ralization. Each 
 
 signed his own ap¬ 
 plication. Each 
 
 ONE DAY THE LETTER CAME 
 
 signed three new 
 
 photographs. They put all their necessary papers with 
 
 their applications for naturalization. Mr. Gardner mailed 
 
 them to the office of the Immigration and Naturalization 
 Service. 
 
 One day a letter came. It told them the date they were 
 to go to the office. 
 
 On the day they were to go, Mr. and Mrs. Gardner were 
 as excited as children. ‘‘How do I look ?” asked Mrs. Gard¬ 
 ner as she put on her hat. “Do you think I shall be able to 
 answer the questions, John?” 
 
 “You will answer them all right. Mother,” said John. 
 “Do not be afraid. You do not need to hurry. If you do 
 not understand, tell the examiners. They will help you.” 
 
 “Do you think Mr. Nelson will be on time?” asked Mr. 
 Gardner. Mr. Nelson was one of their witnesses. The 
 other witness was an old friend they had known in the old 
 country. He had been a citizen of the United States for 
 many years. 
 
 Mr. Nelson and the other witness were waiting when the 
 Gardners arrived. 
 
Book 2 
 
 35 
 
 Lesson 17 
 
 AT THE NATURALIZATION COURT 
 
 Mrs. Gardner went to the examiner first. The examiner 
 was in a special room. He raised his right hand. Mrs. 
 Gardner raised her right hand. The examiner read the 
 oath. Mrs. Gardner said, “I do.” She had promised under 
 oath that she would give true answers to the questions. 
 
 The examiner asked Mrs. Gardner questions that she had 
 answered in her application. He wanted to find out if she 
 had given true answers. Next he asked her some questions 
 about the Government. Some were easy. Some were hard 
 for her to understand. She could not always think of the 
 right English words. One question she could not under¬ 
 stand. ‘‘Will you ask it again, please?” she said. The 
 examiner asked the question in easy words. This time Mrs. 
 Gardner could give the correct answer. 
 
36 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 The examiner then asked each witness some questions. 
 The witnesses must give ^ true answers to all the questions. 
 ‘‘What is your name?” the examiner asked Mr. Nelson. 
 “Where were you born? When did you meet Mrs. Gard¬ 
 ner? How long has she lived in this State?” These were 
 some of the questions which the examiner asked Mr. 
 Nelson. 
 
 QUESTIONS 
 
 The other witness was called. The examiner asked him 
 questions, too. Mrs. Gardner went to the clerk of the court 
 and her petition for naturalization was written out. She 
 signed it and swore that the statements were true. It was 
 placed on file in the oflSce of the naturalization clerk. Mrs. 
 Gardner paid the clerk $5.00 in cash. This paid for the 
 petition for naturalization and the certificate of naturali¬ 
 zation she would receive later. 
 
Book 2 
 
 37 
 
 Mrs. Gardner and the witnesses were examined again. 
 This time all three were together. The judge asked Mrs. 
 Gardner more questions about the government. His exam¬ 
 ination was held in the courtroom. 
 
 Mr. Gardner and his witnesses had been examined also. 
 His petition was on file. The clerk told them they must 
 wait at least 30 days. The clerk said they would receive 
 word when to come to court again. 
 
 was afraid at first but the examiner was friendly,” said 
 Mrs. Gardner. ‘‘How did you get along?” 
 
 “Very well,” said Mr. Gardner proudly. 
 
 THE PETITIONS WERE PLACED ON FILE 
 
38 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 18 
 THE FINAL STEP 
 
 After thirty days word came for the Gardners to come 
 to the court again. This time they must declare in open 
 court that they will give up all allegiance to their old home¬ 
 land. They must say that they will support and defend the 
 Constitution and laws of the United States. They must 
 declare their allegiance to the United States. 
 
 The teacher and the whole class made arrangements to 
 come to court. Six members of the class received their 
 citizenship papers. John was there, too. In some courts 
 it is so crowded that there is little room for visitors. Many 
 other people were there to take the last steps to citizenship. 
 
 The judge asked all the people to raise their right hands. 
 He raised his right hand. He gave the oath of allegiance. 
 ‘‘You are now citizens of the United States,” he said. The 
 clerk then gave them their certificates of citizenship. 
 Sometimes there are too many certificates to be made in one 
 day. Then the clerk makes them out and mails the copy 
 to the new citizens. These were their second papers. They 
 were very proud of them. 
 
 The judge gave a fine talk to the new citizens. He said, 
 “You are now citizens of a great democracy, one of the few 
 countries where people are still free. You have all the 
 rights of a native-born citizen. The only offices you cannot 
 hold are those of the President and Vice President of the 
 United States. We expect you to be loyal citizens of your 
 new homeland. You may be called upon to take up arms 
 
Book 2. 
 
 39 
 
 to defend this country. You may be called upon to make 
 many sacrifices. They will be made for a country which 
 still believes in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 
 for every man, woman, and child. 
 
 ‘‘As you look at this flag of your new country, remember 
 that you have a duty to help keep our country free and to 
 work for a better world.” 
 
 When the Gardners came home their friends were there 
 to meet them. “It’s a party,” said John, “a party for the 
 new citizens.” 
 
 His father and mother were pleased. Everyone asked to 
 see their certificates of citizenship. The Gardners showed 
 them proudly. “How glad we are,” they said. “We are 
 American citizens at last.” 
 
 AS YOU LOOK AT THIS FLAG OF YOUR NEW COUNTRY, 
 REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE A DUTY TO HELP KEEP OUR 
 COUNTY FREE AND TO WORK FOR A BETTER WORLD 
 
40 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 19 
 
 THE GARDNERS CONTINUE IN SCHOOL 
 
 The Gardners thought about what the judge told them 
 at the naturalization court. He made them feel the impor¬ 
 tance of being American citizens. Perhaps they should 
 continue to go to school. 
 
 They had learned many things but there was so much to 
 learn. The judge said they had the same rights and duties 
 as native-born citizens. Did they really know the rights 
 and duties of citizens of the United States? 
 
 John told them to go to see the teacher. He felt she 
 would be glad to have them come back. Perhaps more of 
 their friends would be there. 
 
 They went to school the next evening and were happy 
 to find the other friends of the class there. The teacher gave 
 them a friendly smile. She said she would arrange for a 
 special class in American government for them each Thurs¬ 
 day. ‘‘You have shown a fine spirit,” she said. “Perhaps 
 some of your American neighbors may wish to join your 
 class. Perhaps you would like to organize a Citizens’ Club. 
 What are some of the things you would like to study?” 
 
 “I need to know more about voting,” said Mr. Gardner. 
 “Our community needs a playground and we will have to 
 vote for it or against it. We want to know how to help make 
 a good city government.” 
 
 “I wish I knew more about the laws that have been passed 
 to help working people,” said another class member. 
 
 “I would like to know how local citizens can help in our 
 war program,” said Mrs. Gardner. “I have read in the 
 
Book 2 
 
 41 
 
 newspaper that everyone should help but I do not know 
 what things to do.” 
 
 ‘‘I wonder if we could not learn more about health con¬ 
 ditions in our city,” said another. ‘‘Is our water supply 
 being protected?” 
 
 “I am sure we shall have some interesting discussions,” 
 said the teacher. “I shall help you all I can. Next Thurs¬ 
 day, then, at seven o’clock. Good-bye.” 
 
 \ 
 
42 
 
 The Gardners Become Citizens 
 
 Lesson 20 
 
 THE CITY AT WORK 
 
 The Gardners and their friends were at the school on the 
 following Thursday. Mr. Gardner had brought a map of 
 the city. A neighbor had brought an interesting newspa¬ 
 per article about the water supply. It told the steps the 
 city was taking to protect the water. It was important 
 defense work. 
 
 The teacher held up the map which Mr. Gardner brought. 
 She pointed out the business part of the city. She showed 
 them the parks and playgrounds. Some parts of the city 
 had several playgrounds. Other parts had none. She 
 showed them the city hall, the fire stations, the schools, and 
 the libraries. She pointed out a wide line around the city. 
 ‘‘Within that line people live under the city government,” 
 she said. “They pay taxes to the city and receive many 
 services.” 
 
 “What kind of services do we receive?” asked Mrs. 
 Gardner. 
 
 “They protect us from crime,” said one person. 
 
 “They protect us from fire and disease,” said another. 
 
 “They give us playgrounds, libraries, and airports,” said 
 another. 
 
 “Most of you showed the greatest interest last week in our 
 water supply,” said the teacher. “Perhaps we should 
 choose that as our first problem and find out all we can 
 about it. Shall we make a list of some of the things we shall 
 want to know?” 
 
Book 2 
 
 43 
 
 Each member of the group spoke of something he would 
 like to know. The teacher wrote the list of questions on 
 the blackboard. These were the questions: 
 
 Where does our drinking water come from? 
 
 What city department is responsible for the water 
 supply? 
 
 Is our water supply being protected ? 
 
 How much water does this city use in a day ? 
 
 How much does city water cost ? 
 
 How is the water made pure ? 
 
 Each person agreed to work on one question. Some of 
 the students would plan for a trip to the city water depart¬ 
 ment. They would find out for themselves just how the 
 city works for them. 
 
 IHt UBRARY OF THE 
 
 OCT 19 1943 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILUNOI? 
 
UNIVERStTY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA