The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-11-11

1slators and the people, who elect them
realize the Importance of this work,
LAS time goes on and the knowl-
edge that will result from the prose-
cution of the inquiry accumulates, ito
Importance will become more and
more apparent and legislation with
reference to mental and moral defec il.
tlVes will change from the haphazard
methods of the past to methods di-
rected by intelligence and Informal
ton.
The legislature of 1911 is to be
it's enlightenment. In the course Of
time it will be remembered for this
act, while other matters which now
appear of much greater moment will
be forgotten.
Much Work to Be Done.
1T must be remembered, however,
that the work thus authorized and in
augurated covers only small part If
the field that must be covered before
the whole SUBJECT can be Illuminated.
Present efforts are necessarily limited
to the study Of cases arising at the
state charitable and correctional in
situations. The infinitely greater num-
Der of cases of delinquency, detective
ness, and poverty, which never come
under the direct observation of .hese
institutions, and which must also be
reached before full land complete
can be obtained, are in no way af-
fected by the work referred to-
The State Bureau of Labor has for
some years past made such studies,
and has gathered together such facts
as have come to it's notice in the
prosecution of its work in behalf Of
the industrial population of the state.
The probation officers working under
the direction of our criminal and ju-
Venlle courts are also in a position to
add to the store of knowledge neces-
sary before the problem can be at
tached with hope Of a successful So
luton.
Prospects Are Bright.
With these various. agencies ana
others Of a. more or less private char
acter all moving in the same direction
and al Eliminated by the spirit of in
quiry, the outlook for the future is
becoming much brighter; but there is
still plenty of work for willing hands
,, to do in the same field. This confer
ence Is, I believe, peculiarly ;:lapted
to take up the work, not only of sup
plementing the efforts put forth by
the agencies already enlisted, but of
cooperating with and correlating the
work of them all.
1T is quite apparent that some
means must be found whereby the in
formation cleaned by these diverse ac-
t1v1tles can be brought together, in or
der that he whole problem may be
treated comprehensively and under
standingly. No present agency sug-
gests itself which is, by the nature of
its make up, so we'll adapted to sup
ply this need as is this conference.
Let 1t make a beginning at this i'm
portant task with such means as are
at its command.
when the work has been begun
with definite aim, am sure the state
Will lend its assistance with whatever
appropriations may become necessary
to carry forward to successful COM
pletion. T :sincerely trust that before
this conference adjourns it will have
taken the initial steps leading to .
i suits more glorious and lastingly b.,e
| fetal to the race than anything h l.,
the founders of the conference we're
able to forsee or dared to pre'i:ct,
Never since it sorganization has ire
conference had such an opportunity
as presents itself now.
! Never before has the general pub
! lie been so frankly disposed to at
| tack the fundamental problems of CIV
| llization with a view to their so.ution
! as it is now. What it wants is light.
| information, knowledge. Supply it
with the facts and it has both the will
and the courage to apply whatever
| remedy may be necessary. In meeting
this demand, by using its o-~a MIA ION
for the gathering of information md
the spreading abroad of knowledg,
this conference will best carry out its
high mission