Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-19
ROBERT E. TRACY
On Public Discussion Of Public Matters

An INTELLIGENT popular opinion in
"A public matters can best be acquired and
maintained by public discussion of questions
directly affecting the interests Of that pub
lie. is the opinion of Robert r.. Tracy. civic
secretary Of the City Club and the greater
the opportunities afforded for this discus
sion the higher will be the standard of gen.
eral knowledge Of such matters.
The big job Of popular. government
said Mr.. Tracy. 'Is 10 develop and main
tain an, intelligent opinion on all matters
which the people have to decide with their
ballots. Certain organizations such as ours
do this now for their own membership. but
in some cities the plan has been extended
to the general public with splendid results.
In Cleveland and Boston
"In the City of Cleveland a system OF
local forums or rather meetings for public
discussion. has been worked out for the
various neighborhOOds of the city, and what
has been accomplished there has more than
Justified the expectations and hopes Of those
who first projected these meetings. 1t was
simply an extension of the forum idea by
bringing it into the various neighborhoods
Of the city, thus taking matters Of national
and local importance to the people and
giving them every opportunity for free
and open discussion of them.
''The buildings used in that city for these
meetings are the churches public buildings
which are not used for other purposes in the
reational buildings. These recreational
buildings should be used freely. and ! be-
lieve that such an extension of the forum
idea is Il really great thing for any city II
properly handled.
'In Boston there are the Ford Hall meet
ings, which are held under the leadership
Of George w. Coleman. They are held on
Sunday nights and are usually attended by
tremendous crowds, which manifest an acute
and intelligent interest in the matters which
sI1 .Ig rNnd EnrI
resident Of Boston. left certain sum of
money at his death for these meetings, and
It has proved to be an excellent thing from
many standp0ints.
Possibilities in Philadelphia
"No movement to this end has as vet
been made in Philadelphia that ! know Of,
but I believe that it will come before very
forum idea. In connection with its recent
drive the Unitarian Church Is now advo-
eating the formation of public discussion
groups for the better understanding Of all
sides of public questions.
"The subjects which are taken up at
these meetings are unrestricted both in
Cleveland and in Boston, Local matters are
naturally given the preference, but there is
not always sufficient supply of these. 1t
Is the experience of those who have had
secure a spirited discussion the people as
whole must be stirred by some national
| issue or their lives must be touched rather
acutely at some point by the subject under
discussion. But interest in both of these
cities is not only well sustained, but is
constantly increasing. and the meetings have
more than justified the time and trouble
which 1t has taken to put them on a per-
manent footing.
Opportunity for Growth
"There are tremendous possibilities for
| the growth and advancement of good and
| intelligent citizenship in having public dis
cussion groups formed in the various neigh :
| borhoods OF great city. People frequently
| feel resentful over something which has
| happened or Is contemplated, or they feel
| that they have been wronged, and these
| discussion groups give them the Opportunity
| 70 talk it over and say exactly what tbev
| think. Many a person has had the error ~
| his position pointed out to him so definitely v
| in this manner that he has changed his mind
on matters about which he Thought very
strongly. but was brought to realize that be
| did not fully understand In many other
| cases the public discussion group acts some.
thing like IA safety valve.
England is well aware of the yalue of
| this form of expression of public opinion
| and the British leaders well know that very
often people will take 1t out in talk. to
say nothing of getting the other side of the
| matter put fairly before them. whereas II is
| always bad both for the Nation and tho
] people themselves to have these questions