The Detroit times., 1911-01-11

capable OF practi
cal demonstration or understanding
by the general public. II was sap
posed TO be vague and indefinite In
its applications and benefits. Now
II IS recognized as practical living
science, the real foundation OF every
line OF human progress. Each year
increases the number of persons in
terested In its study and demons:ra-
ton.
There are three sources of infor-
nation for the student of social
science: First, personal observation
by himself and others: second, sys-
tematic study OF sociology, politics
and history. third, records of official
and individual Investigations conduct.
ed by government or private author
ity.
Personal observation involves close
contact with the people TO be helped
For this reason the social center or
settlement in ~ large city was as
helpful to-the student as to the com
munity. 1t is now being demonstrate
ed that Nhe congested districts are
not the only fields for the social
SNAShSS WI hCl. htHiOtIS Vi TIC Do
cial Science class OF Harvard Uni
yersity last summer scattered through
the districts OF the Northwest, turn.
ing their attention TO social needs
as they found them. Boys brigades
and boy scout organizations were
found TO appeal to the country boy
as much as TO the boy in the city
while by broadening the usefulness
CT the Grange and similar organiza
tions many new avenues OF social
progress were opened to the farmers
who had hitherto had their thoughts
nodded chiefly by the loafer's con.
gress at the village grocery store.
President Roosevelt first recogniz.
ed the practical value OF increas ed
knowledge in social science by the
general public. Under his direction
each department OF the government
Was asked 10 furnish information
helpful to social workers or laymen
He considered the accumulation oil
knowledge which would lead to the
Improvement of the living and social
conditions OF the American people a
distinct function Of the national gov
ernment. The Department OF Com
merce and Labor was established
solely for the purpose of collectinr
material In reference TO social
science, Statistics as TO wages, liv
ing conditions, including housing
sanitation and kindred topics, chiefly
however connected with manufacture
ing labors, all came under this de
partment. The Department of Agri
culture supplemented this by fuller
details as to the homes, surroundings
and needs of people engaged in farm
ing pursuits. The advantages and
disadvantages of small farms where
large machinery cannot be used, and
the social relations with the small
farmer to his helpers, are contrasted
with the difficulties OF the large farm
er whose advantage of machinery is
Offset by the difficulties in securing
leborers for the busy season.
The department OF state with its
historical records, the treasury de-
partment with its financial records
the land Office with its accounts OF
development and resources OF newly
settled lands. have all contributed 10
the accumulation OF social science
knowledge even before the last cen.
sus, which was the most complete,
thorough and satisfactory ever taken
In the world The result OF las,
years census has given 70 the social
scientists wealth OF material col
lected by the government which
could not have been secured in any
other way Its best utilization will
be more or less directly the object
of every social science worker dur
ing the next year.
The church has adopted social
science as a valuable adjunct to dog
matism. With the development OF
the science the dogmas grow less.
This does not imply a lessening OF
spiritual life but an increase in prac-
tical helpfulness. For instance, the
street around fashionable church
in Chicago last year required new
paving. The weather was bad ant.
the workmen had no shelter while
eating their lunch. One noon-time
the pastor saw them sitting on the
edge of the pavement In the drizzling
rain while they ate a cold lunch. He
Immediately ordered warm room In
the church placed at their disposal.
Hot coffee was served while the work
was in progress and the city recofv-
ed a valuable lesson in the practical
social science which Is quick TO see
a need and quicker still to relieve 1t.
In many communities the church
must be the social center and the
scientific pastor who is broad enough
to recognize this fact and make his
church fill the need OF the commun-
lty ia wise indeed. In a manufacture
ing town in Pennsylvania the people
were compelled to pay exorbitant
prices for all their supplies at com
many store. The up-todate pastor OF
one OF the churches. last year, open
ed a cut.rate supply store In the
basement OF his church, which he Is
still operating for the benefit OF
those who need It, The people who
have been helped by this store, on
couraged the minister TO brave the
persecution II brought him.
A church In Rochester. New York,
last year organized itself into a regu-
lar social center. II is now known
as the Brick Church Institute. Edu.
cational classes OF all kinds. clubs,
gvmnasiums and recreation rooms, at
tract a crowd OF active working peo-
ple who derive more benefit from
these practical advantages than from
the most intellectual sermons which
could be preached.
Even greater than the church In
most communities Is the public