New-York tribune., 1921-08-07


ueI J. Holmes Professor OF Zoology.
University of California. Published by
Harcourt. Brace &c Co. 81.
NEW HOMES FOR OLD. BY s. P. Brecls-
inridge, Professor of Social Bconomy.
University OF Chicago. Published by
Harper & Bros $3.50.
A FTER more than twenty three
~ centuries the world is only
4 "A beginning to seek practical
solution of the vast problem
suggested by Socrates in his famous
conversation with the son of Hipponi-
Gus. "Callias," he said, "if your sons
were colts or calves we should be able
to fnd some master, probably some
horse trainer or farmer, whom we could
hire to bring out and improve the good
qualities Of their nature. But now, see
ing that they are human beings, what
master have you in view for them
Who understands those good qualities
which belong to the man and the citi-
xen7" More than two thousand years
later Pope In his most hackneyed line
reminded Us that "the proper study of
mankind IL man" But down to our
own day there was no adequate attempt
to make that study moro than super
ficial and theoretical; no serious and
general attempt to pay to the cultiva-
tion Of the human race the attention
that was paid to the breeding Of horses
and cattle and dogs and poultry, ano
the Improvement Of varieties Of fruits
and vegetables.
Tho extent to which we are at last
waking up TO this sorely neglected duty
-ons Of the very highest and greatest
Of all duties-is suggested by Profes
sor Holiness mastery work and the
voluminous photography which it con-
tains, nearly every item In the latter
being dated within the present genera
ton. The author, q zoologist, Is nat
urally inclined toward the theory of
hereditary bias, though not to a slavish
degree, and he discusses at great
length the indubitable traces Of hered-
ity in imbecility, vice and crime. This
relationship Is unmistakable' in such
cases as that of the notorious family
or tribe Of Jukes, of 709 members,
Of which 180 were paupers, 90 were
habitual thieves, 80 prostitutes and
2 murderers. the total cost Of the
TOO to the state being estimated at
$1,3os, 900, or about $1,e45 each. There
are many other such families on rec
crd, while In some parts Of this coun-
try there are extensive communities
similarly blighted--such as the "Pi-
neys~ Of central New Jersey, with their
record Of "breeding In and In" for gen
erationA. On the other hand, there are
many fns examples Of hereditary In
tellectual ability, as In ths families of
Darwin, Herschel, Arnold, Balfour,
Adams and Lowell.
The declining birth rate, now preva-
lent In practically all civilized coun-
tries, and ite presumptlve causes and
obvious results. are considered at great
length, and in connection with them
the question Of birth control, which
has been 80 much discussed in recent
years. Entirely apart from the prac-
tices of birth control, which may be
regarded as not only legitimate but
desirable, tho appalling estimate is
cited Of from one to three million
abortions performed yearly In the
United States. The decline Of the birth
rate is, moreover, chiefly among those
elements Of the population which it
would be most profitable to have in
creased. The result is that we are
losing native American stock and also
the stock that has accomplished great
things in business, society, science,
literature and art. and are suffering
an increase OF the sub-normal, vicious
and criminal clements.
The influences exerted upon the
physical, mental and moral character
Of the race by consanguinous mar
riages, by the use Of alcoholic drinks,
narcotic drugs and the like and by the
development Of industrial systems and
even the selective influences of relig-
ion are all discussed at length in a
scholarly but sympathetic and entirely
human manner, with the serious and