New-York tribune., 1907-06-07
MR.. BRYCE TO WOMEN.
GiUes AdUice to Bryn Ma7cr Gradu-
ateS on Problems of Life.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune ]

Philadelphia, June 6.-Refore the graduating class
OF Bryn Mawr College this afternoon Ambassador
Bryce made an address, pointing out TO the young
women the avenues in which their talents and
education might best be employed. He opened be
fore them the fields in which they could do most
for humanity and make for the best shat Is IN
them as trained leaders of the He said, in
part:
the incessant occupation OF men tne active bust
ness OF life, commercial and professional. under
competition as compared with the greater leisure
Another fact is the swift growth in America Of
weaItn and OF The habit OF displaying wealth.
rich men inhabiting a different quarter from that
poorer class by their habits of life almost as Inlch
as classes are separated il Europe.
and probably even more in Europe Of many among
ne "a poorer part OF the population Large sections
OF the rich, and ask OF what use is their political
own condition. In only few cities is there class
o. wtaI me @ Eagiish cal paupers and the number
tne social and economic conditions thai grow out
oissses ars bo1o,,i, - -, 80 Iooi7 INTO olstlmct
average educated citizen is beginning 70 see this
Is too bus. 10 work out these problems.
Inc Fresiqent @ OF the United states has most truly
and talk about than the Declaration Of Independ-
ence. and that you ought to be thinking seriously
These facts suggest to ne that there are two fields
OF work which the average educated citizen OF the
male sex does not ind time enter but into which
women nave more time TO enter. One is
walton of a thorough knowledge and a fine taste in
literature: the habit Of reading that which is not
epheneral, the habit of study, the acquisition of a
critical faculty which discovers and enjoys what is
Of permanent literary value
The other field includes the study Of these eco
nomlc and social phenomena to which ! have re-
ferred-how TO mitigate the contrasts Of wealth and
poverty: how 70 adjust more fairly the burden Of
taxation; how TO deal with intomperance. with un-
healthy dwellings, with discharged criminals with
vagrants with neglected children-hOw in various
ways 10 help those who need help
All these questions have d double side They nee /
as Il
noTaic science. They need even to be studied
in practice by getting into actual touch with the
evils inherent in the growth Of dense centres Of
population. And if the antagOnism Of rich and poor
which exists in many parts OF Europe Is to be
averted from American cities il be by keeping
the richer people in close personal touch with the
life Of the poor.
and parllaments for reforming legislation Here in
America you look less TO Congress than you do TO
public opinion, and. however jealous and active Il
particular administration may he neither the fed
eral government nor that Of a state can do much
without the active and constant pressure of public
opinion upon the legislative body. Now. women
can DO q great deal in roCsing and shaping public
opinion.
Il IS for this reason that ] hope your women's
ent instruction in all that belongs 10 the sphere
OF social reform and social service, and that your
graduates will continue TO organize themselves for
these purposes, so that the warm hearts and keen
minds OF American women may be II the better
prepared for helping by their influence toward a
true solution OF economic problems and for extend
ing counsel sympathy and aid to those who need It.