The critic., 1890-12-30
ECONOMISTS In COUNCIL.
MANY INTERESTING TOPICS DISCUSSED
AT THE MEETING TO-DAY.


Effects Upon the Community-Th
Municipal Ownership OF Gas Works
Warmly Advocated.
Only two papers were read at the after
noon session of the American Economic
Association yesterday, both being fol-
lowed by lively discussions. President
Walker being absent Professor Newcomb
took the chair.
"a Syllabus of Political Economy" was
the subject of the first paper read by Pro-
fcssor William W. Folwell professor of
practical science in the University of
Minnesota. The paper was an argument
for the recognition of public economy as
distinct though related science, running
parallel with that of private or social
economies. 1t demanded the recognition
of state or public economy as an indie
PENDENT body of phenomena. An oral
explanation followed of set of nine
charts showing the main features of a
syllabus, of political economy devised by
the speaker
The title of the next paper was "The
Educational Value of Political Economy"
by Professor Simon n. Patten of the
University of Pennsylvania. The author
sought to find the place of political
economy in the college curriculum. This
he demonstrated to the mutual satisfaction
of the most of his hearers. An interesting
discussion followed. Professor Lester Il.
Ward of this city thought there had been
no change in political economy, but that
the method of contemplation had been
changed. Professor c. H. Smith of Johns
Hopkins University, Hon. w. +. Harris,
Commissioner of Education; Hon. Thomas
g. Shcarman of New York, Professor
Richard 7. Ely, Charles Frederick Adams
and Judge Seymour Dexter of Elmira
joined in the spirited debate.
The following officers of the association
for the ensuing year have been elected
President, +. A. Walker; first vioe-presi-
dent, Professor &. +. Dunbar of Harvard
second vicc-presidcnt, Professor w. W.
Folwell, University Of Minnesota; third
vice-president, Colonel G. ID. Wright, De-
portment of Labor; secretary, Richard Il.
Ely, Johns Hopkins University; treas.
York city. publication committee, Profess
sor II. G. Adams, Professor j. b. Clark,
+. II. Giddings, Professor +. w. Taussig
and Professor T.. II. A. Seligman.
There was good attendance at the
morning session of the American Eco
nomic Association to-day, the main
topic being Industrial and Technical
Education which was thoroughly dis
cussed from every point. President
Walker opened in paper, in which he
reviewed the methods and results of edu-
cation upon the youth of the city and
country, the diverse opportunities of OBJ
servation and information. He was sue
ceeded by Professor Simon n. Patten,
who spoke on Consumption and Manual
Training" The great increase of pro-
ductive power gives large surplus above
the cost of living, he held, and attacked
the simple, but incorrect theory that
every increase goes to increase wages
through competition. The old cviliza-
tions had also large surplus, but ii did
not come into the hands of the people in
way to raise the standard of life
Every new country has a surplus, which,
If wasted, results in decline of pros
perity and a lower social state, with less
productive power.
We must not neglect our possibilities
and fall into such a state. Modern ma
chincry and productian on large scale
reduces the waste of production to mini
mum. Competent employers can utilize
the most unskilled labor 1t thus seems
as though the problem of waste had been
solved, but 1t is a mistake. Employers
watch their laborers as producers to see
that they do not waste time and material
But no one watches them as consumers.
As soon as the goods pass into their
hands their ignorance comes into full
play.
Professor Patten then gave a number of
examples, quoting the condition of shoes,
| fuel and other necessaries of life. Pro-
ducers spend large sums to have the best
machinery to increase production, but
| ignorant consumers waste productive
| power and capital by buying the cheapest
| and poorest goods on the market. He
| then quoted the remarkable influence ex-
erted by army officers in Italy. So much
more so than employers. They econo-
.,sl,;
| omize production. Temperance, order,
frugality, cleanliness, promptness and en-
| durance are the results of army life, and
| its good effects have been very Satisfacto-
| rily demonstrated. The teacher must do
in America what the army officer has
| done in Europe.
Poor cooking creates a demand for high
| priced food, beef, starchy -four and also
causes a desire for highly seasoned food,
alcohol and tobacco. Good cooking and
q varied diet are in the reach of every
body, as America is the land of fruit and
vegetables. Following this line up he
treated on the insutiiCency of our clothes
and shoes, and unskilled washing, and
also the influence of economy of food and
clothing upon thrift and saving.
The great changes In production do not
have much effect on the standard of life.
Professor Patterns address was very inter
| esting, and at the close general discus
| sion took place.
Professor Davis r. Dewey of the Insti-
| tute of Technology of Boston read paper
on the Limits of Publicity"
The paper was devoted to description
of the growth of publicity in different di-
rections as illustrated by the census, the
American system of taxation exhibition
| ofcorporate accounts, and health and regis
| tration statistics. In addition to these
| legal requirements, business men have
| voluntarily, for their own advantage and
| profit, adopted, in many lines of man,l-
| facture and commerce, system of
| publicity, each giving up information
| in regard to individual matters with the
| view of receiving recompenses by Il knowl-
| edge of the affairs of others This Is illus
| trated by the system of mercantile agen-
cies, insurance business, pigiron industry,
! and others,
The further extension of this principle
| of publicity should be made in collective
| information in regard to the health condi-
| ton of the population. AT the present
| time such an inquiry is regarded as in
| quisitOrial. 1t is, however, more impOr-
| tant from an economic standpoint than is
| the census of the defective classes which
| public opinion justifies. Another direction
| In which publicity should be encouraged
! is the collection OF further data in regard
| to the demand and supply of products. A
| large part of the present industrial evil Is
ocoasioned by the maladjustment of cap
| ital and labor We need better informa-
| ton in regard to total wants and the pos
! sible and the actual total supply. 1t is in
| this direction that statistical inquiry
| should be directed.
Professor Edward w. Bemis occupied
l thn aftnntinn nf thn agSan h1aua IN, IN ,ao,-