The Detroit times., 1917-02-20
Losing individuality
and. Too, Losing Home

Granville Barker. drarnatist. artist. sponsor for
the Little Thcaier declares that II u because We
have los; the power ~ self expression that We
ara the restless. Disconnected people that we
are
There was a time when q mans work was
part ~ himself.
N 30 shoa d horse q differed IN some degrees
from ihe shooting done by another blacksmith.
n he worked az loom. he woye into the
fabric part OF his own individuality. no two bits
% woven stun being exactly alike
ln any kind ~ work there was fuctuatlng
personality which We see today In ths rugs Of
The orient and IN hand made pottery.
All this richness OF life Is mostly changed. and
A man . part 90 some machinery. harnessed
20 it like a horse in a trend mill
The product OF the machine Is all alike and
the man is merely shifter OF levers and bolts
No one expects the old days OF hand craft
20 return
Machinery Is necessary to supply the demands
ot The world
It's a benesactor in innumerable ways and Il
viii be constantly invented and perfected 20 pour
forth a greater output for consumption BY the
world
But
without some creative life the human soul
grows cold and lifeiess and finally loses It's in
itlatiye and creative force.
The result Is that during his working hours
the man Is a machine and the remainder Of bis
time when be Is not sleeping, be must be
amused and entertained
Resources within himself are rare.
They have died or become atrophied by the
sort 81 life that be has been obliged 20 lead
Home LIE, IN a cny OF tenements and apart
ment ~ lost. and the women. whose self express
sion found an outlei thru the many activities OF
The home has cut down her housekeeping 10 a
uuy gas stove and the delioatessen. with dinners
az a cabaret restaurant or a self serve lunch.
according 10 her means
This Il not az general IN Detro; as IN larger
cities bat the tendency IL the same and home"
for The majority OF the people. Is becoming main
~ place 10 sleep
We have made The family the unit OF civtlira-
ton and have surrounded that allurfng group.
father. mother, children. with the protecting
u stands
Crowded cities and economic conditions, IN
known 10 our grandparents, have changed much
~ this.
The family Sun EXISTS IN ever lessening mum.
5crs. but the home. as NE have known Il. seems
doomed
from their abiding places TIE people spill over
Into the streets. lUred by any place OF amuse
ment that their taste may select and their re-
sources permit There II no urge OF the heart
70 stay In their abiding places Such IL the sit
natiOn today.
Man and woman have ceased IN the main 20
be creators IA their work
They have been bereft Of and have nearly
lost the art % self expression. from which al
enthusiasm springs.
They have become herded In cities and nlched
thru economic NAL Sc lustnent. OF their home.
ard they are drifting like restless tide. seek
ing some means Of adjustment and spending
tEcir substance. meanwhile. upon the tAvdry.
empty mental pabulum served Up toT them by a
public In search OF their surplus coin.
some hrrer foundation than this. upon which
70 place our rising generation must be found.
or the unit OF civilization viii disintegrats and
another unit will have 20 be found 20 take It's
place