p. 24 | Polyglot Nature of America

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1916

Polyglot Nature of America

A STRIKING illustration of the polyglot nature of this country and the advantages of the knowledge of foreign languages, is given in the following clipping, which we make from Zion’s Herald, March 1, 1916:—

“There is something to arrest attention in the report that comes from Ansonia, Conn., of a young man who, because he could use seven languages, became master of what threatened to be a very serious strike situation. No less than eleven nationalities were represented among the strikers, who were employees of various mills of the American Brass Company. A meeting was called, with some ninety extra police on duty. When the men had come together, a trouble maker secured the floor, and soon there was a babel of tongues and much confusion. The youth in question, who is just out of high school, then mounted the platform and ordered the speaker to leave the hall. Then by the use of the seven languages at his command he appealed to the men, and finally managed to restore order. A committee was appointed at his suggestion, consisting of three men from each nationality. When the committee met, its personnel was found to consist of representatives of the Russian, Polish, Slavic, Lithuanian, Hungarian, Italian, Greek, Syrian, German, English, and American races. The youth was the dominating spirit, and succeeded in bringing about a conference with the employers.”