The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-02-20
Losing individuality
and. Too, Losing Home

Granville Barker dramatist artist. sponsor for
the lHto Theaier declares hat IL Is because Ne
have los; The power OF self expression thSl We
are the restless discontsnted people that We
Tnerc uas a time when n mans work was
part - himself
| n he shod horse g differed in some degrees
from he ehoeiaF done By another blacksmith,
n lac worked al io0u. he wove into me
fabric part Of his own Individuality, no two bits
~ woven Stun being exactly alike.
In any kind - work there was calculating
personality which We SEQ iofaN IN the rugs or
'he orient and in hand inside pottery.
All this richness - life Is mostly changed, and
man Is part ~ some machinery, harnessed
90 h Hike horse in trend m!N
The product 81 ne machine - All alike ana
the man Is merely a Shifter ~ levers and bolts
" one expects De old DAYS OF hand craft
% return
Machinery Is necessary 20 supply the demands
az fhe world
ftis benefacfor IN innumerahle WAYS and II
viii BE- CONSTANTS Invented and perfected 20 polr
forth a greater output for consumption ey the
world
But
without some creative lie ne human soul
grows cold and helcss and analy loses Its in
.uative and creative force.
The result that ddring his working hours
the mar IS q machine and the remainder ~ hlS
time. when De- IS nor sleeping. he must BE-
amused and entertained
Resources within himself are rare
They have died 0r become Atrophied BY the
sort ~ life that he has been obliged TO lead
Home ife In city ~ tenencnts and apart.
men h lost. and the women. whose self enpre--
sion found an outlet thru the many activities o.
the home. has cot down her houi excepting 20 a
tins Eas stove and the dcicatessen. with dinners
AZ "a cabaret restaurant or a self serve lunch
according 20 her means
This H. not As general in Detroit "a 10 larger
cities but the tendency Is he same and "home,"
fer the majority OF the people, IS becoming main
iy place 70 sleep.
We have made the family The urit 81 civiliza-
ton and have surrounded thAt slluring group
father. mother. children. with the protecting
warmth % the Home and the things for which
II stands.
Crowded cities and economic conditions IN
known 20 oGr grandparents, have changed much
~ ihIa
Tie family stiu exists. in ever lesseuirg nun
5ers but the home. as we have known a. seems
doomed
From their abiding places the people spill over
INTO the streets. iured by any place Of amuse
neut that their taste may select and their "
sources permit There Is no urge os the heart
20 stay in their abiding places. such lie the sit.
uation today.
Man and woman have ceased, in the main, 10
b. creators in their work
They have been bereft ~ and have nearly
lost The ART Of self expression. from which all
enthusiasm springs.
They have become herded in cities and nlched
thru economic maiadiu stmeat. Of their home
and they are drifting like a restless tide. seek.
ING some means OF adjustment and spending
their substance. meanwhile. upon The tawdry.
empty mental pabuIum served Up for them b.
public in search OF their surplus coin
Some armer foundation than this upon which
10 place our rising generation must be found.
or the unit Of civilization viii dlsintegrate and
another unit viii have be found TO take its
place