Evening journal., 1918-12-03
DELAWARE TAKES
ADVANCED STEPS
Service Citizens Organize
for Betterment of So
cial Conditions
DR.. ]. H. ODELL
STUDIES FIELD

Delaware is entering upon a remark
able and unique plan FOR the better
ment OF the social condition Of its cit
liens. Men and women who are leaders
1 IN all lines OF activities have banded
together in an effort TO improve The
general welfare and have adopted the
very striking name OF Service Citizens,
/ This organization Is backed at the out
set i'm a financial way which makes Il
possible 10 carry along It's endeavors
without TIE handicap Of a lack Qf funds.
Pierre $. dupont president OF the new
organization, has set aside a fund OF
81 10000, the income from which
$4,000 a year-is 20 be available for
the work for a period OF four years.
The selection OF a director general
has just been announced and active
work viii be begun at once. Or. Joseph
II. Odell, publiclst, editor and writer Of
note, who has had vast experience In
the handling OF sociological problems.
IS the working head of the organiza-
tion. lie Is here comforting with the
executive committee and laying down
plans for the campaigns which the or
ganlzation will undertake.
The Service Citizens propose that
their efforts shall all be constructive.
They have outlined their purposes In
these words:
To obtain through properly qualified
agents such exact knowledge as 30 eX-
isting conditions as may be necessary
as a basis for remedial action.
To urge and promote the adoption OF
measures for Improvement which are
shown TO be desirable as the result Of
investigation, or by the experience and
studies OF other persons and organiza-
tions In Delaware and elsewhere.
To bring conditions and remedies %
the attention OF citizens OF the state
by means OF addresses. reports, news
paper articles and other suitable instru-
ments OF publicity.
To make, where feasible, demonstra-
tions OF improved methods OF betterlng
social conditions in the State OF Della
Ware, as well as OF controlling condi-
tons preiudicial TO social welfare.
To promote fun and cordial co-opera-
tlon among organizations and agencies.
public and private, engaged in social
welfare work in Delaware.
To promote such other proper meas
ures as well, In the opinion OF the
members, contribute 90 The fulnllment
Of the purpose for which the society
IS established.
The society does not propose 10 en-
gage In work that can be best done by
the State, counties or other municipal
organizations or by existing social
agencies, but rather 10 acduaint the
public with the situation which exists
and with the means available for its
amelioration, and 20 urge prompt and
effective remedial action by the whole
body Of citizens.
Doctor Odell looked over tho field
very carefully before accepting tie
position OF director general, and he
expressed the belief that great good
can be accomplished through the
agency Of the service citizens.
"1he Job looks big 20 me, ~hc said,
'and ] am under no Illusions as TO the
amount OF work required. But the fact
that so many men and women OF fine
quality are associaled In the work in
sures its success.
1T is an unusual thing 70 find men
interested in public service
who are neither reforming fanatics nor
That Is tho strength OF |
the service citizens movement, per-
haps at last with the aid OF clear brains
and disinterested motives we can get
something DONE"
The idea back Of the Organization Is
hat the State OF Delaware, because Of /
rs small area. the unity OF its people /
and It's great per capita wealth should
be the model community of the world,
t should have tho best system OF edu-
lation; its towns and residences should
be the most sanitary; It's governmental
system should b. the best and there
should be a unined public sentiment TO !