El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-01-10


~ Society Of Political and Social
Science in Philadelphia this
week the social science section will
consider reports upon the great ad'
vance made during the past year in the
practical APPLICATION of that subject in
It's various phases. Formerly social
science, as taught in colleges and uni
versities, was, looked upon as an almost
occult mystery incapable of practical
demonstration or understanding by the
general public It was supposed to be
vague and indefinite in its applications
and benefits. Now it is recognized as
practical living science, the real foun-
oation of every line OF human progress.
Each year increases the number of per-
sons interested in its study and demon
stration.
Three Sources of Information.
There are threessources of informa-
ton for the student of social sciences:
First. personal observation by himself
and others; second, systematic study OF
sociology, politics and history: third,
records Of official and Individual inves-
legations conducted by government OF
private authority.
Personal observation involves close
contact with the people to be helped.
For this reason the social center or
settlement in a large city was as help
full to the student as to the commune
ty. 1t is now being demonstrated that
the congested districts are not the only
Fields for the social science worker.
Members of the social science class Of
Harvard university last summer scat
tered through the districts of the
northwest. turning their attention to
social needs as they found them. Boys
Drigades and boy scout organiza lions
were found to appeal to the country
hoy as much as to the boy in the city.
while by broadening the usefulness Of
the grange and similar Organizations
many new avenues of social progress
we're opened TO the farmers who had
hitherto had their thoughts nodded
chiefly by the loafer's congress at tho
village grocery store.
Roosevelt Starts the Work.
President Roosevelt first recognized
the practical value Of increased knowl-
edge in social science by the general
public. Under his direction, each de-
partment of the government was asked
to furnish information helpful to social
workers or laymen- He considered tbs
accumulation of knowledge which
would lead to the Improvement of The
living and social conditions Of the
American people a distinct function Of
the national government. The Depart
ment Of Commerce and Labor was es-
tablished solely for the purpose OF col
lecting material in reference to social
science Statistics as to wages. living
conditions, including housing. santa
ton and kindred topics chiefly, how
ever, connected with manufacturing Ia
tcrs, all came under this department.
The department of agriculture supple
mented this by fuller details as to the
homes. surroundings and needs Of peo-
pie engaged in farming 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 farmer whose advantage of ma
securing laborers for the busy season.
Other Departments Help.
The department of state with its his
toricaI records, the treasury department
with its financial records, the land Of /
flee with its accounts of development
and resources of newly settled lands. |
have all contributed to the accumula-
ton Of social science knowledge even 4
before the last census. which was the l
most complete. thorough and satisfac- /
tory ever taken in the world. The re-
suit of last years census has given to /
the social scientists a wealth of mate /
rial collected by the government which /
could not have been secured in any /
ether way. It's best utilization will be 1
more or less directly the object of ev-
cry social worker during the next year. /
An Adjunct to DOgmatics-
The church has adopted social science
as a valuable adjunct to dogmatism.
With the development of the science
the dogmas grow less This does not
imply lessening of spiritual life but
ar increase in practical helpfulness.
For instance. the street around a fash
lonable church in Chicago last year re-
CURED new paving. The weather was
had and 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 driz-
cling rain while they ate cold lunch.
He Immediately ordered a warm room
III the church placed at their disposal
Hot coffee was served while the work
was in progress and the city received
4 valuable lesson in the practical So
cial science which is quick to see
reed and quicker still to relieve IT.
In many communities the church.
must be the social center and the scien-
Lific pastor who is broad enough to
recognize this fact and make his