New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-08-10
literary Nesvs and Criticism.

and one well situated that thought can be
centred on the equitable distribution of a sur
plus. In the case the civilization must de-
Velop its traditions to keep the deficit small
as possible and eventually TO overcome it, and
In the other to utilize the surplus for common
good. not TO undermine energy and productive
ability or to create parasitic classes. but dis
tribute the surplus In ways that will promote
general welfare and secure better preparation
for the future This theory of a surplus age
rests absolutely upon the authors conviction
that the long dreaded law of diminishing re-
turns has been amended by modern transpoS-
tat.On and methods of agriculture; resources do
not diminish with nowadays of yore, and
hence a growing population can thrive without
fear Of famine. If the reader does not believe
that evidences at hand to support this the
DRY, he will hardly accept Professor Patterns
further views without strong qualifications
But there are good reasons for supposing that
the economic outlook is roseate as here
painted, at least far the next dozen gem
erations are concerned: and ii is not absurd to
assume that such long period Of prosperity
may bring about a new order OF life which VIII
minimize the misereS of later age of deficit
Professor Patterns economic theory Is strength
ened, however. by collateral facts drawn from
his study of family and social life. where ne
finds, as many others have already done. the
dawning sense of human brotherhood bringing
men courage and self-confidence breaking down
ancient harmful barriers, and ultimately ehml-
mating forever poverty
This absolute disappearance of poverty Is the
authors most persistent thought: he is con-
fident that the new civilization can stamp out
the very conditions of poverty. provided so
cial emotion be expressed through income-gen-
crosty as heartily as Il is voiced by the deVo-
tEon Of ones person TO q cause" One generation
would suffice, it is said for the suppression or
those conditions. We cannot follow the So
biologist to this lofty elevation OF optimism;
however true Il may be that poverty grows
F,.1 ivpS
OF opportunity 20 work. there is still another
potent cause to be found in ignorance and su-
perstition, and this cause cannot possibly be
overcome in a day and an hour. 1t VIII sur
vive as long as there is no despot strong
enough and benevolent enough TO remove all
children from the influence OF their parents.
Other causes, such as the speculative instinct
are equally hard 10 overcome
Allowing. however. for all eXaggeration due &c
enthusiasm. we must concur with the spirit OF
Professor Patterns book. While by no means
altogether lucid, the analyses of the changing
ideas about charity. sacrifice and competition
are accurate and sometimes profound. Pro-
fessor Patten is here the spokesman for the
ever growing body of social workers who are
struggling TO bring about the new civilization
by using in a wiser way the energies that make
the philanthropies, the labor organizations. the
social settlements, the churches and the inca
tres By insisting that generosity be reasonable
as well as impulsive, that competition be con-
+roIled by humane considerations, that co-opera-
ton be encouraged not for the sake OF plum
dering the rich. but for the benefit of all men
regardless of class, and that every man ne
given the greatest possible opportunity TO de-
Ialo, all his powers the distinctions between
rich and poor will be so reduced that the
former will be only the most capable and the
latter the sickly and the manned. If this en-
deavor of the social workers interests the
reader he will do well TO study in the present
hook the philosophy upon which IT rests. The
unnecessary abstruseness Of parts OF the es-
says is not too high price to pay for some OF
the discussions IL wells.