Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-13
SOCIAL PROGRESS
BY H. Addington Bruce

~TEADILY the world is being made a better
place for those who live in it, Socla! prog
~ ress is Enthusiastically and every day IN e'i-
dence 1t is in evidence notwithstanding the terri
BILE actuaties of the great war into which many
nations have been plunged by one mad ruler.
A few days ago l watched two sharply con-
trasting spectacles.
On the outskirts of Toronto at aviation
field I saw airplane after airplane leave the
ground, till the sky above seemed dotted by mon
ster dragon flies soaring to dizzy heights.
As they rose to take their fight some aviators
passed directly over the automobile in which was
seated, and close enough for me to see tnem hur-
riedly a CHEEKY greeting. a..~-
1t was a thrilling sight, yet depressing one
For it a reminder, however picturesque OF the
German made which has spread such sunerlng
and desolation.
From the aviation field motored to an
altogether different place.
In a bright, Clean attractive dining ROOM seat
ed on both sides of two long tables, saw some
fifty little boys and girls happily eating oounu
full supper. They were inmates OF Torontos Pre-
ventorium," benefciaries of splendid agency Tor
social reconstruction.
From slum homes these children with tubercu-
lar tendencies had been taken, to be given fresh
start in life, taught health habits, and built up
physically ,o,
yerandas had a pine grove in which to play,
wonderful glass enclosed playhouse, and gardens IN
which to work. Every day they were given some
schooling.
The whole course of their lives directed
to raising their resistive powers: mental, moral,
and physical.
Four days later in the Rhode Island city of
Newport l beheld equally impressive evidence that
social progress is continuing, despite the bght1ng
influence of the the Germans have forced on
America.
In one of the rooms of Viewpoints beautiful
high school | saw demonstration by members of
the Little Mothers Welfare league. To help save
the babies of today and to enlighten the mothers
of tomorrow is the double object of this happily
conceived organization
1t is product of dawning recognition that
efficient motherhood is not instinct but art,
which may best be learned through the practical
instruction of young girls in the scientific care OF
babies.
What 1 beheld in Toronto and Newport may be
seen in one form or another through all the cities
of Canada and the United States.
While in every city war work is being done
and in most cities splendidly done-uplift work is
likewise being done. Which is exactly what should
be.
For the Germans are not the only enemies that
menace our national welfare and happiness. Dis
ease poverty, ignorance, vice, crime insanity COM
pete with the Huns in frightfulness.
If upft work stopped for the period of the
war, wars aftermath would be fearful indeed. But
it has not stopped and it will not
The instinct for social betterment is too deeply
rooted in the heart of civilized mankind
Remember, though, that uplift work. like
work, requires many hands and makes great de-
mands the purse. Do your part in it, as in the
work of the
Copyright, 1917, by The Associated Newspapers