New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-28
MAKES SETTLEMENT HOME
]. G. PHELPS STOKES SAYS HIS OBJ
JECT is ITO QUIT BEING
SELFISH"

SELFISH"
Believing that most of the ills of humanity are
traceable to human selfishness in some form,
and desiring to get out of the atmosphere of
selhshness and to get into close contact with the
working people, a son of Anson Phelps Stokes
and brother of the Rev. Anson Phelps Stokes.
jr secretary of Yale University. ]. G. Phelps
Stokes has gone to the University Settlement in
Eldridge and Rivington SITS. to live. For a
number of years Mr.. Stokes who is about thirty
years old, has been interested in the study of
social problems, and has entered into active as
sociation with those who are trying to solve
them. He prominently identified with the
organization Of the work of Hartley House, a
Settlement house the West Side for girls. He
Is member of the board of trustees of the
Peoples Institute. treasurer of the Manhattan
Trade School for Girls, member of the execu-
tive council of the Reform Club a member of
the executive committee of the Outdoor Recrea-
tion League. a member of the executive com
mtttee of the Prison Association and a member
OF the child labor committee of the University
Settlement.
1t was not until this year that MI. Stokes
decided to make the Settlement his permanent
home. He had spent several summers in the
last six years there. but not until this summer
did he settle it as his headquarters. He has
not given up his connection with the business
world In any sense. He goes to his office, which
is that of his father, at No. 100 Willam-st
every day. He is president of the Nevada Cen
tial Railroad. the Nevada company, the Wood
bridge company. the Haynes company and the
Austin Mining Company.
Mr.. Stokes when asked to his object I'm
going to the Settlement to live, answered with
what will seem to many queer reply.
My object in coming here" he said. was to
being selfish. a
living in a wealthy environment. and to have
a part in the work of making the classes ac-
quanted with one another
Mr.. Stokes, who is unassuming man. said
that he had first become interested definitely In
the study of social problems In 1895. when he
was studying medicine in the College of Physi-
clans and Surgeons.
My interest in social problems" ne said,
began in 1S9j. when | was studying medicine.
/ was much impressed with the ills from which
the patients had suffered before they were
brought TO the hospitals, the relation of the
patients history and environment to his all
ment II is the custom for physicians 10 learn
much possible of the antecedents. history
and previous environment of the patients Much
of the suffering apparently due to some
ones wrongdoing These histories led TO
the conclusion that most human suffering was
traceable TO human selfshness. This was not
doing or seIishness or that of his ancestors.
II was often due To the physical environment.
Child labor and sweat shops are the product
OF mems selhshness Perhaps I can make clear
what mean by means Of an illustration
There was a scheme to tear down the houses
in the block across the street. which was one
Of the most thicky populated pieces of ground
in the world. and turn it into Playground a
breathing space. A bill prepared and pre-
II cd
one branch and was up for consideration in the
other when it met with vigorous protest from
the office of a large estate which owned many
of the tenement houses facing the selected
block. The claim was advanced that the crea-
tion of the park would result in the raising of
taxes the adjoining lots. and that this would
result in a loss TO the Land owners. Tor the ten
ants were poor and could not pay high rents to
compensate the owners for the anticipated raise
in taxes. The bill defeated and the park
which would have brought increased health and
strength and disease resisting power to the peo-
pie of that section. lost. owing to human
selhshness. There is an enormous amount of
i'll health due to dollar chasing.
II came to the conclusion that the vast ma
jority of human ills due to human selfish
ness"
Mr.. Stokes has done a great deal in the in
terest of open air Fairgrounds. and is especially
interested in prison work. being a prison in
spector. Mr.. Stokes is not the only interesting
personality living at the settlement, Gordon
Brown, who captain of the Yale football
team few years ago. is another of those study
ing social problems there. Mr. Stokes and Mr.
Brown sat down with the neWsboys who re-
ceved Thanksgiving dinner at the Settlement
last night, and helped to reduce the supply of
turkey, cranberry sauce, bread and butter
which piled high on great trays, and pump
kin pie. They did not appear to be annoyed
that paper napkins were the only napkins to be
had.
Mr. Stokes is member of the City, Riding
Knickerbocker. st. Andrews, University and
Yale clubs.