The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-02
SOCIAL SCIENCE.

YESTERDAYS PROCEEDINGS or THE AMERICAN
SOCIAL SCIENCE observation-disclosures Pa
PERs READ on BUILDING socIErrEs-sTAR
THING FACTS AS TO THE CUSTOMS LAWS AND
THEIR PRACTICAL APPLICATION.
PHILADELPHIA, June /. 1916
At the morning conference OF the American Social
Science ASSOCIATION held at the College Of Physicians
to-day the discussion on Building Associations
continued resulting finally in the adoption Of resolu
tion commencing this Philadelphia institution to other
communities DIR. Elisha Harris OF New York; Robert
Treat Paine, Jr., OF Boston; Charles H. Thomson, New
Haven; John Fretwcll, New York; George c. Maris,
Wilmington, Del. Judge Peircc and Francis NJ Wood.
n Philadelphia, were present and participated in the
general debate. The secretary, Mr.. I. L. Sanborn,
stated that connection with this subject he had sent
queries members OF the ASSOCIATION different cities
rs to the peculiarues OF living in those places From
William +. Claiming, OF Providence R. l., a
paper received describing tho peculiar conditions
affecting tho homes OF operatives in that State Rhode
Island is hive OF workshops and has an unusually
large proportion of skilled mechanics Many of these
live In houses containing two tenements This style
OF building il a Rhode Island institution The houses
are generally two storied wooden structures built
for the occupation Of family on each floor
These are considered as respectable socially as
separate houses, and, practically, the families
tirely independent or each other. Rhode Island was
founded the idea OF individual freedom. while in
Massachusetts rigid organization characterized its
carly history This differences in early training shows
itself IN the different modes OF living Providence IS
. city oil 100 900 Inhabitants with almost every DWELL
ing house by itself ana surrounded by garden Peo
Pile consent to 1.-Two in blocks IN Massachusetts, town.
while the passion throughout Rhode Island is for so-
lated houses.
Mr. OLIVER II. sTRArros, OF Louisville, reported
that the first organized effort In that city TO establish
what commonly known as building or home
steah associations was begun in 1868, aud there are
now thirty nine associations OF the KIND there
From other cities reports were received showing
that building associations had been established and
were being operated on substantial basis in all parts
Mr. GEORGE O. MoRals, OF Wilmington Del, reported
upon the conaition OF Delaware associations. The
financial depression had affected the organizations
that state BY the withdrawal o capital and falling OF
Judge PnycE remarked that in his experience Of ten
years upon the Bench he tad known OF but OF
pecuaton IN all the societies existing in Philadelphia
This pecuiarity, he thought was wonderful The
Judge orciby impressed with the perfect safety Of
these Investments lie believed that the ownership
homes made all citizens Interested in tho public well
lnrc, and made each one feel responsibility rested
upon HIM in advancing the general prosperity.
Mr. !oGE BLoDGErT suggested that tue discussion be
directed toward inaugura!irg such associations in New
York where great necessity existed.
DR.. HARRIS, OF the Sanitary Department Of New
York agreed entirely in this view and conceded TO
Philadelphia remarkable facilities Tor commerce and
remarkable advantages Tor the Investment OF capital,
because here the highest skill OF any city be OBJ
tanned. He conference of New York capitalists
md representative workngmen, with prominent build
ing association organizers OF Philadelphia, pro-
ccted and he offered the sense OF the Conference the
following resolutions, which were adopted:--
Resolved That The and results OF the system
Phladepha and Wilmington commends fellow ci,i-
the cities and large towns tho
se BY which the success and benefits OF the system have
Resolved That among the essential agencies
Offering adequate means and pruaensly Guarded con
acquire ownership OF their homes . The operation
ami and 81 Tie i ns a
loans are offered Tor the purchase Of homes Most i'm.
sokingmsSs ismile; g obtain and their houses
snoyns ssmaao homes and the he. %nsa
Eesolvea Tsat in cps aSd villages no les. than IN rural
sommunties the workngmen need to be encouraged to
dwellings. and if ownership praeteabe that the re-
iations Of tenants aud families should be such
and help the tenant 10 make the tenement perfect and
attractive u home possible.
Mr.. Dorman u. Eaton wa, to have read paper on
"Nunicipai Government but he was unavodably
compelled to return TO New York.
CUSTOMS LAWS.
Mr. LoRiN BLopcErr read paper on "the admins
tration and evasion of the Customs Laws" which no
sad that the rst great point is to clearly
pressed law, and the next uniformly anu faithfully
execute it Laws tina, In themselves unjust or
impoltIc are unfortunately common enough TO give a
color of justice 10 claim that may be too
heavy be borne and that a partial evasion
may be tolerated on such grounds, but
to ANYTHING like The extent Of earlier times
The duties now levied paid easily and arc
better distributed upon all parties 10 the transaction
In lace OF OF the greater facts connected with
auties on imports. 1t becomes extremely difficult 10
MAINTAIN OF the more positive theories to rates
10 that high rates defeat themselves impos-
nblc OF enforcement. or that they fall runously on
ther the foreign producer the dealer the
Perhaps the silk importation INTO the United States
the best single illustration. For twelve years past
under the act OF June 80, 1861, importers OF silks
paid tie heavy duty OF 60 per centum nd valorem
the manufacture of silk has lourishcd greatly in
France ana the values imported stated nj 81, $3.50 s2
The iscal year following and Sl6 Old 500 in 1866 '6,
after two years oil trial rose steadily TO $685. in
lS'l.2 The Importation Of SILK during these twelve
years has been enormous Taxing all the
into consideration In connection with the raising
from six 10 twenty millions yearly OF gold revenue from
importations OF silk, such as has actually been
the act OF 1864 liking the duty at sixty cent does
not appear possible to fnsc revenue more easily
Eth less oppression to all the parties and not the
east singular feature OF tho has tho steady
yrowth oil the silk industry in the United States
khch from almost nothing IN 1854 has risen 60 exceed
k20, OOO,O 900 IN value in 1915 do not hest
.ate 10 say that the administration OF di-
rect tax laws Is far loose, corrupt
and evasive than anything the OF the customs
service tho United states has known am i'm
pressed with the belief that private business In
this country has been conducted with small loss
that gwen Tor the urst period-vz, $25 IN SO 600
and when We consider the loss during the second
perioi-yz, $40 in $40 oO0--it seems incredibly
small and is convincing evidence OF the efficiency and
Integrity Of tho officials engaged in collecting the
sums Involved and paying them into the United States
Treasury.
nscal year OF l11l-'75 equaed sll, $50 400 and
about sl4 00o 600 In lS,2's3 and by undervalua-
lion oi-say ten per cent from Sill, 600 600 TO
$ls0. 0U0, COO In amrunt must DO so undcrvaiucd.
Professor ARCHER, OF The British Centennial CON-
MISSION read paper 'Internatonal Exhibitions. y
containing practically the same ideas contained
In his lecture to the Centennial authorities
months
In the evening tho association was entertained by
4r Henry Curly Lea. at his private residence.
Today's session will 10 devoted TO general confer
snce and debate
THE GOVERNORS SIGNATURE.