Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-01
BY w. HERBERT BLAKE

An accurate knowledge of the essen
IN tials of normal standard of
"a living" and the cost of such es-
sentials in a given community, mas
come to be recognized by the most
progressive social workers as funda-
mentally necessary to effective effort in
relief work, or toward improving con-
ditions for the working population In
our towns and cities.
In "The Standard of Living Among
Workingmen's Families in New YORK
City," by Robert Colt Chaplin, Pm. D.,
just published by the Russell Sage
Foundation, are to be found the records
of the most comprehensive investigation
of this subject that has ever been un-
dertaken.
Under the direction of a committee
of the New York state conference OF
charities and correction, a large num-
Der of social workers, paid and Volun-
teer devoted the summer months TO
visiting workingmen's families in Varl-
Gus parts of Greater New York, for the
purpose of securing at first hand the
information that was desired.
Families of normal size consisting
of father, mother and three chlldren
under IA years of age) were selecteu
so far as possible, and with the AID OF
an elaborate schedule prepared by the
committee Qac SMILES of which are
shown in the reporO, every item OF eX-
penditure was recorded. Not only food'
shelter, clothing and other neces-
saries," but insurance, alcohollc drinks,
education, recreation and many other
items which throw light on the physi-
cal. mental and moral condition or the
families are fully treated. AS one
woman said to the enumerator' NOV
you have our whole story ABOUT 3oO
of these schedules were analyzed py
DR.. Chaplin and tabulated. One nun
f1la sixteen
diagrams, prepared by experts greatiy
enhance the value of the report.
Especial attention is given to housing
conditions. and to the quantity, cost
and nutritive value of the food con-
sumed by families with incomes vary
ing from $500 to $11O0 and over per
wear. Sources of income are consld-
cred and the extent to which the Sc
curing of fairly adequate income Is
dependent on the supplementary earn
ings of mother and children, or the tax
ing of dodgers. Overcrowding and un-
derfeeding are shown to be surprising
ly general even among families Win
larger incomes.
For purposes o; comparison, similar
Investigations were carried on in Buf-
falo and several other cities and towns
of the state, and the results or these are
given in appendices. Included in this
section of the book are also interesting
and valuable articles Dy FRANK 1uCheI
and Dr. Lee K. Frankel, on the new
classification of the fundamental causes
of poverty and the value of standard
of living Investigations; a scientific
analysis of food values by DR.. Frank
P. Underhill of Yale university;
family monograph by Frederick Le-
Play, translated from the French,
partial photography and full index.
That prevailing rates of wages in
New York do not. as a rule, admit OF
a standard of living necessary to main
tain physical, mental and moral eth-
cheney, is clearly demonstrated by this
report The securing of similar accu-
rate information by social workers in
each city and town, and the consid-
Grafton of how such knowledge may be
utilized to change adverse conditions
and secure more just rates of COM
pensa ton, is the next important step to
which this initial Investigation points
For such future Investigations DR.. Cha
pins work will prove invaluable as
reference book and guide.
The Standard of Living Among Work
ingmen's Families in New York City
BY Robert Colt Chaplin, Phi. D. Chari-
ties Pub 'icatiOn Committee: New York
A Book of Real Poetry
The true lyric note is Gale Young
No. 11II