Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-07-23
BY H. Arlington Bruce
IN HE world has always been in need of great
social inventors. More than it will

BY n. Arlington Bruce
tn HE world has always been in need of great
social inventors. More than it will
need them to solve the stupendous social
problems certain to develop after the great war.
There be no return to pre-war social con-
ditions, with the injustices which the war has
brought so sharply into relief But other inJustces
may develop in the absence of truly efficient
plans for social reconstruction.
Russias present plight is ample indication of
this
Russia was a land of privileged tyranny. So
cialy it architectural abomination. Master
minds were indispensable to make it pleasing
place wherein to dwell
Master minds doubtless available Alas!
They had not been giving sufficient thought to Rus
sa's social problem. And the task of reconstruc-
ton fell to Missionaries unequal to it.
We must take warning from Russias suffer
ings. In land sundry social readjustments
inevitable If their working out is left to men
who feel keenly but think thinly we hope for
Some years ago Mr.. Louis D. Brandeis,
Justc Brandeis of the United States supreme court
made statement much to the point at the time he
made it and still more to the point today. Such
Mr.. Brandeis:
There are vial economic social. and indus
trial problems to be solved. And for these we need
abIest men.
THE why have not made more
progress in social matters is that these problems
have not been tackled by the practical men of high
ability, like those who have worked on industrial
inventions and enterprises"
Yet if, in the past, practical men of high abil
ity' a rule have failed to tackle social problems
they not altogether to be blamed
The spirit of the past has been excessively in
dividualistic and to inordinate extent material
istic Accomplishment for SELF gain for self. pleas
for self has been the teaching of our yester-
days. Under such teaching the social sense was
of necessity wellnigh stifled.
But circumstances are now compelling new
views of the meaning and responsibilities of life
The old selfish indvidualism invites social dis
aster Practical of high ability" must turn
their thoughts to social rebuilding perish in the
ruins of society.
That is the situation which confronts them.
1t will not avail to dismiss with bitter
temptuous words the murmurings and protests of
those oppressed in the present social order. The
justice of the protests must be appreciated, and
earnest thought given by the best trained think
to the devising of effective social reforms.
Again l quote Justice Brandeis:
There is such thing as freedom for a
who under normal conditions is not financially free
I'VE must therefore find means to create in
the individual financial independence against sick
ness, accidents, unemployment, old age, and the
dread of leaving his family destitute if lie suffers
premature death.
For have become practically world of
employees"
Will practical men of high ability rise
to the emergency and actively cooperate in the
necessary work of social invention? That, of a
truth, is of the urgent questions of this
mentous epoch of stress and change.
Copyright 1918, by the Associated Newspapers)