The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-11
FOR SOCIAL
BETTERMENT
Notable Meeting at Westerly
Yesterday Afternoon and Evening
PROMINENT SPEAKERS ATTEND
Rev. Josiah Strong Of New YnTk City Do
Ilvered a vlhle Address In The [v!nlns
Before q Large Audience.
PROMINENT SPEAKERS ATTEND

In the Bliven Opera House at Westerly,
yesterday afternoon and evening, con-
ference on social betterment was held un-
der the auspices OF the Ministerial asso-
citation OF Westerly
In the afternoon Rev. j. r. Peacock
pastor Of the Calvary Baptist church pre-
sided. President Faunce of Brown Univer-
sity, w. r. Tolman, director OF the
American Institute OF Social service, New
York. Charles S. Chaplin. principal of the
State Normal school. Rev A. j. Coultas
presiding elder OF the Southern New Eng
land Methodist Conference. and Rev. Jo-
siah Strong, president Of the American
Institute of social service were the
speakers.
THE EVENING SESSION.
In the evening L. T. Root. secretary
OF the Federation OF Churches in Rhode
Island, presided.
DR.. Josiah Strong and DR. w IA. Toll
man, president and director, respectively.
OF the American Institute OF Social Ser
vice, divided the time In discussion OF
the new social and Industrial conditions,
with the necessity OF readtustment. 1t
was a unique presentation. I'm that Dr.
Strong discussed the fundamentals, the
great underlying principles Of the social
problem, and DR.. Tolman followed, Illus
trating the first speakers philosophy by
means OF lantern slides taken by DR. Toll
man In the different factories and work
shops OF this and other countries where
he has studied the problem of Industrial
betterment at original sources. All present
particularly men OF affairs and the clergy
could compare the facts with the theories.
n. 81 I,tr
During the past century and practically
during the lifetime of many here present
there have taken place the two greatest
revolutions In all history, one in the ma
terial world created by the application
OF natural forces to industry; the other
in the world OF ideas. produced by the
application OF agriculture. OF manufac-
ture of commerce, OF travel and OF bust
ness. and they are radically changing
the methods OF charity, of philanthropy
OF religion OF reform and OF education
They have created In the Occidental
world new type OF civilization, with
which have obtained radically different
conditions OF life-in one word a new en-
vironment which vitally concerns all
classes
"It is a fundamental law Of nature that
every form OF life. whether vegetable or
animal. individual or institutional, must
latter radically changes the former must
readjust itself or perish
"The widespread hostility, IL not open
conflict between organized capital and
organized labor. does violeace To economic
and social laws no less than to Christian
principles The institute OF social service
is striving to educate the public To see
that such conflict Is as needless and fool
ish as ii il wrong, and cites instances TO
show that the Golden Rule is workable
between masters and men
Again, the reckless and increasing
sacrifice OF life and limb in American
industry calls for such education OF pub
lie opinion as win demand and enforce
effective legislation touching accidents
and their prevention. large proportion
of these accidents might be prevented
by the use Of safety appliances and by the
exercise Of precautions which are entirely
capable OF legal enforcement The In
stitute desires to establish. as one OF its
dozen departments, museum of security.
where all such appliances may be collect
ed and studied. and aims 10 secure In all
OF our As states, such legislation touching
this general subject as will save thou
sands Of lives and tens Of thousands Of
| limbs every year"