Educational film magazine; (19-)

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"PETER POINTS THE WAY" By Leon a Block A five-reel drama illustrating a service to foreigners had its premier showing at the Criterion Theater, New York City, December 6, before government officials, indus- trial leaders, educators, and representatives of Americanization committees. This un- usual Americanization picture tells graphically a story about the Salna family living near a war-swept path near Riga, in Latvia, where lack of employment has almost elim- inated the everyday comforts of the household. Andre, the father, receives a letter from his friend Peter who had immigrated to Amer- ica ten years ago, urging the Salna family to come to the United States. Andre realizes that it is impossible to obtain sufficient money for the traveling expenses of his wife and young son Hans but the wife's savings decide it. They make plans to leave Latvia, but Hans is in love with Emma, a neighbor's daughter, therefore reluctantly consents to leave the homeland. During the voyage from England on the S. S. Olympic, they take great interest in the lectures given by the Y. M. C. A. secretary to the steerage passengers, showing them maps and scenes of civic and industrial activities in many sections of the United States. When the ship anchors at quarantine Andre is approached by a traveling acquaintance who sug- gests exchanging Andre's Lettish money for United States currency and the offer is ac- cepted. The steamer docks in New York harbor and the Salnas are transferred with other third class passengers to a barge which takes them to Ellis Island where 80 per cent of the immigrants enter the United States. "Treat kindly, examine justly, handle humanely" is the slogan of the Ellis Island staff in serving America and the immigrant. The Salnas pass the rigid examinations until they reach the registry office where it is discovered that they lack the required amount of money. Andre then realizes that he had been cheated in the money exchange by his fellow- passenger. They are temporarily detained on the island and the Federal officer notifies Andre's friend Peter, in Philadelphia, of their plight. The Ellis Island Y. M. C. A. secre- tary also telegraphs Peter supplementing the government wire: "Andre Salna family de- tained, caused by lack of funds; your assistance needed." Peter calls at the Philadelphia Y. M. C. A. and asks them to forward to the Y. at Ellis Island $75, the amount re- quired, which releases the Salna family. They take the train to Philadelphia and the Y. secretary notifies his co-worker in that city, giving the hour of their arrival at the Broad street station where they are met by Peter accompanied by the local Y. secretary. Peter's wife welcomes them to her home the luxury of which in their eyes denotes ap- parent wealth but in reality contains only the comforts of the successful American work- ingman's home. After dinner, at Andre's request, Peter explains the road to success for the foreign-bom in the United States: "Learn the language, laws, and history of the country, take out your papers, and stick to your church." He tells them his experiences from the day he was first encouraged and helped by the Y. M. C. A. until he became an American citizen, and his part in the great war. Peter makes it clear that if Andre and Hans are "to make good" in America they must be willing to work and take advantage of all opportunities offered for advancement. Five years later we see the Salna family, who have profited by Peter's advice, and Andre receives his final papers, making him a citizen and, automatically, his wife and son become citizens. Hard work and continual study have brought them prosperity and Hans, who is nearly twenty-one, sends for his boyhood sweetheart in Latvia. When Emma ar- rives at Ellis Island he meets her with a wedding ring and marriage license accompanied by the Y. secretary from Philadelphia, who has proved himself a valuable friend to the Salna family and is now to act as witness to the wedding ceremony before Emma will be allowed to leave the Island. The realism of the picture arouses one's sympathy and interest for our foreign bom population. There are actual scenes on Ellis Island with himdreds of immigrants. uncon- sciously playing their parts in the drama. Only the four principal characters are acted by professionals. The film was produced to show the valuable Americanization work done by the Y. M. (Continued on page 19J