The Washington times., 1916-02-22
GREATER FAITH IN.
DISTRICT OFFICIALS.
URGEDBY SPEAKERS.
Rev. Or. Van Schaick Scores
Critics Who Accused Com
missioners.

eff we of the District we're not so
ready to impute wrong motives to
Congress and the Commissioners we
should progress faster in our social
rsforms," asserted the Rev. DIR. John
Van schaick. Jr., former president OF
the Monday Evening Club. at the
annual. banquet OF. that organization
at Rauscher's last night.
Dr., Van schaick scored those who
trying to inject politics into the
schools by their proposed reorganiza-
tion of the system.
Justice frederick J.. siddons. of the
District Supreme Court, who was toas'--
master. echoed the sentiment and urged
the club to remember that chickering's
and unfoundcd criticisms dc not pave
a royal road 10 social irogrcSs."
Deplores Lack Of Faith.
John T. Devlnc. who is about to 20 to
Russia to take charge IT American re-
lief work here, was uns OF the tvs
speakers OF the evening. DR.. Van
Schaick ana Ernest l.. !uckncll. re-
Gently returned from Il similar mission
in Belgium, set nea- him at the speak
ers table.
National politics and District affairs
were blended in the talks by DR.. Van
Schaick. Nr. levine, and the remarks
of the toastmas:er
I'VE need to have more faith In one
another" said DR.. Van Schaick. I'VE
of the social service ranks who have
office OF Commissioner in the last
two years should be the last to ques-
tton the motives of these, meu when
they get into office.
81 hold no brief for the Commission
ers. But l do know they are not
did not have In mind appointment OF
teachers for political purposes when
they suggested a change in the school
system that seemed wise to them.
The failure to get what we want
here in Washington comes frequent
ly from lack of confidence in those
to whom we appeal"
DR.. Devine remarked that -four years
ago II looked as II all politicians were
about to become social workers" lie
said that recently in a. speech in Car
negie Hall. New York. a certain poltt-
Gal leader had remarked that after
Eiihu Roots keynote speech no one
and industrial Justice
q, Cfiticises Great Britain.
''1f politicians think that the interest
in social reform four years ago was
detaefsed. episode they are mistaken"
he sajb;s That was the beginning uf
ministration think to get into office
only by pointing out mistakes OF the
dominant party, or II the dominant
party hopes to stay in simply BY pro-
claiming that they have AYE, kept kept the Sonn.
mistake of political Judgment" he said.
Mr.. Devine asserted that IL the Ger
mans were more prepared for war than
moro munitions. but because their ediI-
cation had, been socialized. and their
social insurance and other industrial
cooperative plans had been better
worked out.
III England was not prepared" he
continued, at was not because she had
not anticipated war, but because of the
intense bitterness between workers and
employers. because her scrUui system
was inefficient, because her taxation
was not socialized. though 1t had be-
gun to make progress"
To make for preparedness in this
country, he continued, the preparedness
must extend to educational and indus
trial systems.
I'VE need to bring about peace be-
tween employers and employees" no
urged. Some method must be devised
for discovering real grievances and Tor
settling real differences
prevention NEEDED First.
True philanthropy he pointed ou.,
must begin with preventive measures.
Prevention of the three social scourscs,
crime. disease. and poverty. Jay with
the school systems. To avoid these
American children must be taught II
be law-abiding, hardy, and able-bodied,
and efficient.
We have spent immense sums In the
past few decades in education he
said. II would like to see an equal
amount spent in coming decades on
public health. believe It would DO
we'll spent"
DR.. Van Schaick pointed to the sacri-
nces DR.. pevine is making to take
part In the relief work In Russia. He
must quit his duties as professor of
social economy at Columbia University.
40 secretary OF the Charity Organza-
ton Society. OF New York city. and as
director Of the School OF Philanthropy.
OF New York city.
DR.. Van Schalck referred to George
washington as fircs In social service.
He quoted a letter in which Washing
Vernon. In dealing with the poor of
that neiEhborhood. to Supply necessl-
ties. but see that you do not encourage
idleness."
Walter Shepar Ufford. president OF the
club introduced Justice Siddons as the
presiding officer Among those at the
head table were John Joy Edison. Miss
julia LAthrop, Children's Bureau; DR.
George 8. Bowerman. of the Public
Library; Ernest 2. Bicknell, of the Red
Cross, and the Rev. w, l.. De Nries.