Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-16
SOCIAL SURVEY
WILL FOLLOW
DIAGNOSIS
Russell Sage Workers Here De-
scribe Preliminary Study of
Conditions Found.

Shelby NJ Harrison, director in the
department of surveys and exhibits of
the Russell Sage Foundation. in an
interview with The Georgian Monday
outlined the work he and his two as
sociates are doing in Atlanta by invi-
tation of a Chamber of Commerce
committee
We are making a preliminarydi-
agnosis and pathinder's survey" he
said, and in our report to the com
mittee we will make certain specific
recommendations which probably will
lead to social survey We are not
making the social survey now"
Mr. Harrison and his two associ-
stes Franz Schneider. Jr and Zenas
/. Potter. are doctors Of the body pol
itic. They emphasize the fact they
are no. fault-finders They go to a
city study sociological conditions
from an entirely disinterested and
unbiased angle and make a report If
the report makes the city or members
Of the clty's sociological organizations
see themselves as others see them.
then they have accomplished their
purpose. 1t is up to the city. then. tc
improve conditions and make the place
little better to live in.
"All Cities Have Problems"
The last 25 years have brought
many changes in social and personal
relationships Nh Harrison said. out
lining the basic principles behind the
sage foundation. "As cities grow.
and factories come in. conditions
change The factories bring immi-
grants, and that brings new condf-
tons. The entrance of women into
industry and new methods Of pro-
auction all change conditions. I am
Just citing these as examples. Every
advance and progress brings on
changed conditions.
Every change means a new prob
lem. These problems are socioIogi-
cal 1t is our business to diagnose
these problems and make specific
recommendations, In Atlanta we
shall make detailed recommended
tons which may involve a social sur
Ney. The survey will point out the
exact problems the city has to solve.
ana otter further suggestions and
such help as may be desirable or de-
sized. Then the credit for solving
Ihem VIII go to your local civic or
CARNATIONS, for it is they who must
lead in the actual work"
For week, now, Messrs. Harri-
SON Schneider and Potter have stud
led housing and living conditions in
Atlanta recreation, problems Of ed
ucatlon and Of poverty and the san
ltary and penal systems. Mr. Harri-
son will go to New York to-morroV-
Messrs. Schneider and Potter win
continue the Investigations through
the week. They will leave the city
with their data, and after a few weeks
submit their findings, together with
recommendations
VIII Suggest Improvement.
VI course, ] can't reveal the ma
tqre OF this report in advance" Mr..
harrison said. But ! will say this
much. We will be specific in recon-
mending things to be taken in the
| survey. On few subjects we will se
1 dole TO outline suggestions for imme-
date Improvement"
The spirit i'm which the Sage in
Vestlgators enter upon their work was
described by Mr. Harrison as follows.
our attitude is thoroughly svmpa
thetic with local agencies. We are
not coming i'm Atlanta as iConoc1astS
trying to break down what YOU are
doing As DISTINGUISHED parties. we
naturally are capable of making de-
tacned observations. Then the social
=
together the Jrumentalities for
solving such problems as you may
/, have. The social survey applies sci
entitic methods to the solution of
modern community problems.
such diagnoses a $ We are making
and such social surveys as viii prob
ably follow in Atlanta are designed
4. to stimulate d healthy public opinion.
/ The object is TO solve the citys social
problems rather than to palliate
them"
During the last year the Sage Foun-
dalton has received requests for dag
noses and surveys from 100 cities.
most of them in the East and Middle
West. Atlanta is the first Southern
city to call for the preliminary path
finders survey.
I'VE felt the survey was very
progressive move on the part Of your
Chamber Of Commerce. Mr. Harri-
son said. Your Chamber Of Com
merCe members are up on their toes.
doing everything possible to make the
city even more desirable TO live in and
a better commercial cen er. There
are not a lot of chambers of COM
merCe in the country. You know. that
! have seen it is a good thing to i'm
prove the place they live in, although
this Is the fundamental thing in max
ing the city a good commercial CEN
ter"
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