The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-05-09
At the National Conference of
Charities by Prof.
3. R. Payne.
LACK OF COOPERATION
In Many of the Essential Things
is One of the Worst
Features of 1t.


RICHMOND, Va. May 9.-The So
called mountain settlement work now
being done along the Appalachian
Highlands was criticised by Prof B.
II. Payne, Professor of Psychology in
the University Of Virginia, in an ad-
dress before the National Conference
of Charities this morning. Prof.
Payne pointed out three defects in the
work Of these mountain settlements.
First, lack of cooperation between the
workers and promoters OF these iso-
lated stations in the mountains.
Second. lack of correlation of the en-
terprise with existing permanently
organized institutions, especially state
systems of education, State Boards OF
Charities, state Boards of Health, etc.
Third, lack Of expert study OF the en-
tire social, Industrial, educational and
religious problems peculiar to noun
tain peoples in Isolated communities
He criticised this condition as one OF
waste OF educational, religious and
economic energy. Continuing he said
''All waste is due to isolation of some
sort. The only cure for isolation Is
administrative organization and CO.
operation
Each denomination has its mis-
sion settlements; sometimes several
denominations are within the same
mountain cove or valley; frequently
they are not on speaking terms to
say nothing OF their holding business
or educational conferences. Again,
mile in the mountain IS longer than
many in the valley. Railroads, tel
cphones and rural free delivery have
not yet pierced these overhanEiug
valleys. The UNCONVENTIONAL feelings
and the geographical barriers are the
two isoiating influences between the
workers of existing missions.
'"The second point OF failure is more
important. There are certain well or
ganized Institutions whose support is
permanent whose machinery is test
/ ed yearly by the experience and crit
icism Of thousands OF experts, whose
genius Is directed towards the ellmIn-
alton of the waste of isolation; such
for instance. as the system OF public
education in any state. Criticism Is
! llAt NllustH dSfHiN ApI lle
OF the race. 1t will he in the bust
ness when all other agencies are moss
covered. If the mountain work is to
he made permanent or efficient there
must be a closer correlation between
each settlement and the state school
systems. These two forces are too
shy of each other. a closer acquaint-
ance would be mutually beneficial
/ On the other hand the missionary
must he willing to learn and yield
! for the sake of better organization.
1 He must be missionary to the pub
/ lie official as well as to the settler
4 There should he discovered an inter
meditating agency between the two
in order that the official may become
enlightened as TO the better ways of
working, and the missionary as to tho
better organization. looking to tho
spread of his influence and the per-
manence Of his results.
4 Tho misfortune in this and many
other forms Of social work IS that
those responsible for their promotion
have too little time for reflection and
those not responsible have not the
inclination. We can never organize
these undertakings so as to escape
the leakage so prevalent until a
larger group of men study the ques-
tions both Indirectly and comparative
~. Why shold the universities neg
lcct the study of the social problems
In the mountain settlements, more
than in the city settlements?
The trained expert could free this
entire question from sort OF siclSly
sentimentality which too often docs
the cause more harm than good
There are men OF business sense who
are alienated from the movement by
certain type Of sentiment which
does not appeal to them. Too often
the advocate by lack OF expert ability
cstrangcs his friends rather than at
tachcs them to his work"