?tatc QIallege of AgticuUure At (fdjrncU IniuetBttg atljaca. W. f . Htbratg Cornell University Library HN 29.E48 Techinque of social surveys, 3 1924 013 894 336 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013894336 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS By MANUEL C. ^ELMER, Ph. D. University of Kansas ^^', //I lilt '^^ The World Co., Publishers lawrence, kansas 1917 PREFACE The purpose of this book is to meet certain specific prob- lems of social survey workers, namely : — 1. What relation has the problem under consideration to the community life as a whole? 2. What things should be considered in making a study of any special problem? 3. How can the information desired be secured? 4. How can the data and information gathered be put to the most effective use? 5. Can this survey be successfully followed by other investigations along different lines or be made the basis for an annual inventory or "Community Week?" While there are many excellent questionaires and treaties published on social surveys, the author has found in supervising the work of civic organizations, clubs, re- ligious groups and college students, that a handbook cov- ering the above points is necessary if efficient work is to be done. Much of the material contained in this book was pub- lished by the author in Social Surveys of Urban Commun- ities in 191 4. Likewise many valuable suggestions were received from the publications referred to throughout the following pages. M. C. E. University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 1917. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Introduction. The Survey Plan i General Outline for a Comprehensive Survey 4 The Survey Machinery 6 General Sources of Information 11 The Community Survey. A. Introduction 14 B. Natural Physical Condition 16 C. Population 17 I. Density and Distribution 17 II. Nationality ig III. Domestic Life 19 IV. Vital Statistics 21 D. Social Conditions and Activities Relating to Health, Convenience and Comfort of Com- munity. I. Housing 22 II. Public Utilities 28 III. Disease and Health Measures 33 E. Wealth and Industry. I. Distribution of Wealth 36 II. Industrial Activities 39 III. Transportation and Storage 45 TABLE OF CONTENTS F. Group Relationship. I. Political 45 II. Ameliorative, Reformatory and Punitive .. .52 III. Recreation and Amusement 56 G. Education. I. Public Schools 71 II. Private Schools 75 III. Libraries 76 IV. Fine Arts 77 V. The Press. VI. Higher Education 78 H. Religious Activities 78 Interpretation of Data 83 Publicity 86 The Community Program 89 INTRODUCTION During the past fifteen years there has developed a widespread desire to understand social conditions and activities. In almost every city of any importance inves- tigations are being carried on in some field or other. The organization carrying on the survey may be a church making a study of its particular community ; a civic league making an investigation of the local industrial situation; a charitable organization investigating the poor quarters of the city ; a department of health making a sanitary sur- vey; a special committee appointed by the state or city studying the efficiency of some public institution ; or it may be an intensive survey of the industries and living conditions as vi'as carried on in London, Pittsburg, Bir- mingham, Alabama, ,or Springfield, Illinois. Whatever the source of the praticular investigation may be, the num ber and variety of surveys that are being contemplated and made throughout the country indicate that there is a general demand arising to have some accurate informa- tion in regard to existing conditions. The remark, — "little of lasting value was accomplished by the survey" is frequently heard, and the criticism may not be unwarranted, notwithstanding the vast amount of data collected. The fault, however, is not so much in lack of energy, as in misapplied energy. Too often a group of people stirred by some particular abnormal fea- ture brought vividly to their attention, through som.e epidemic or serious accident, begin to agitate along that particular line, without any accurate knowledge of the INTRODUCTION community as a whole. The result is failure to accom- plish anything, — or worse still, some entirely inadequate legislation is passed. Often, to say the least, any action which might have resulted in improving the situation by getting at the real causes is postponed. If the group of people on becoming interested, had cooperated with-tho-e agencies already existing, and had succeeded in making a careful scientific survey the results would have been greater, and more lasting, with less expenditure of time and money. If a complete and thorough survey were made before attempting to inaugurate a reform move ment the source of the undesirable conditions would be discovered, and all efforts might then be directed toward the place where they would be of greatest service. TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS THE SURVEY PLAN While every conceivable type of a Social survey has been followed, they may be grouped into three general divisions : 1. The investigations dealing with or relating to some particular phase of community life, such as are usually carried on by charity organizations, church federations, vice commissions and sometimes in making sanitary and food surveys. In this class no comprehensive schedules are followed. The organization making the survey stands for the solution of some particular problem which is either becoming a menace to the community, or con- cerning which public sentiment has been greatly aroused. While a survey of this type may consist of a careful and detailed study of the particular activities and conditions investigated, the lack of information concerning the inter- related activities and indirectly conditioning phenomena serves as a decided check upon the constructive effort resulting from the survey. The survey is necessarily not only of less scientific value than if more comprehensive, but as a rule, it does not afford sufficient background for the successful handling of the specific problem for which it was instigated. Nor does it serve as the basis for a constructive policy extending into the future. 2. Another type of investigation often spoken of as a Social Survey consists principally of historical and broadly descriptive monographs of Communities. These surveys have a very important place in the study of a TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS community, but they serve only as a basis for compre- hensive social surveys, or inventories of the communities as they exist at the present time. While it is necessary to study the growth and development of a community in order to determine an adequate policy for the future, if an investigation of a community is limited to a study of the past, it fails to fulfil the purpose of a social survey. 3. The third type of social surveys consists of those community studies vv^hich are more or less comprehensive in the scope of their inquiries, making an intensive study of several interrelated conditions and activities in the community and of their bearing upon each other. The recognized purpose of this type of survey is to bring about needed changes and to increase the general efficiency of the community by creating a social consciousness \vhic!i vv^ill help the members thereof to "learn to live together." The scope of the social survey will be largely deter- mined by the specific problem for which the survey wa-- started as well as the moral and financial backing it re- ceives. There may often be uncontrollable factors which interfere with the completion of a comprehensive su'- vey, and which may necessitate the concentration of all efforts upon some specific problem. Where the commun- ity to be investigated is a very large city, this is most prob- ably the best method to' follow. However, if such sur- veys are to be of any permanent value, or to exert an\- influence beyond the immediate community in which they are made, they should fit into some large scheme of classi- fication. In the first place in order that the results ob- tained by one investigation may be compared with results of similar investigation carried on in other communities. In the second place, if a specific survey is made, it should fit into a general comprehensive scheme which may be followed in later investigations, thus conserving all of its value not only as a study of the specific problem investi- gated, but also as an aid to other problems which are directly or indirectly related. THE SURVEY PLAN Since the range of activities and conditions covered in making a social survey is so extensive the greatest effic- iency cannot be obtained unless the entire field is mapped out, and the correlation of the different phases noted, by means of a comprehensive schedule. Even though only a partial survey of a community is made, it should at least cover all phases of the activity which is being investigated and the details should be properly grouped and made to fit into the general scheme of a comprehensive survey. In the classification proposed below we have attempted to include all of the conditions and activities which should be considered in making a complete survey. Many valu- able suggestions have been received from the various ques tionaires and schedules referred to although none of them includes all of the phases of community life. These var- ious phases are here put into eight general divisions under which the material gathered in a comprehensive survey may be subdivided and arranged with a minimum of con- fusion. This is a very important matter especially if only a partial survey is to be made at any time, with a more comprehensive study to be made later. This schedule has been found to be very workable in making several different surveys. GENERAL OUTLINE FOR A COMPREHEN- SIVE SOCIAL SURVEY A. Introduction. B. Natural Physical Conditions. C. Population: I. Density and Distribution of Population, ri. Nationality. III. Domestic Life. IV. Vital Statistics. D. Social Conditions and Activities, Relating to the Health, Convenience and Comfort of the Com- munity : I. Housing. II. Public Utilities. III. Diseases and Health Measures. E. Wealth and Industry : I. Distribution of Wealth. II. Industrial Activities: a. Study of Individual Industries. III. Transportation and Storage. F. Group Relationship : I. Political: a. General Situation. b. Organization. c. Taxes. d. Legislative Restrictions and Regulations. e. Courts. II. Ameliorative, Reformatory and Punitive: a. Child Care. b. Charities. c. Outdoor relief. d. Homeless men. e. Defectives. f. Other agencies. g. Juvenile Delinquents, THE SURVEY PLAN h. Adult crime. III. Recreation and Amusements: a. General Situation. b. Playgrounds. c. Athletics. d. Dance Halls and Theatres. e. Clubs. f. Saloons, g. ' Holidays, h. Summary. G. Education: I. Public Schools: a. Scope. b. Administration. c. Efficiency. n. Private Schools. HI. Libraries. IV. Music and Art. V. The Press. VI. Higher Education. H. Religious Activities. , THE SURVEY MACHINERY There are so many conditioning elements which enter into and modify a social survey, that no hard and fast rule can be laid down as to the only method of conduct- ing it. However, some general principles may be sug- gested which can be developed according to the local sit- uation. It has been found to be generally true, that the sur- veys which have been the result of a demand from with- in the community have been the most effective in their in- fluence upon the life of the community. A considerable number of the leading men and women of a community taking active part in the scientific investigation of their living conditions, will do more to create a spcial con- sciousness and an interest in community betterment, than any other single activity could possibly accomplish. Con- sequently the first thing of importance to be done by those interested in having a survey made is to secure the co- operation of some of the leading members of the com- munity to be surveyed, who are willing to stand back of the survey to the end. Very often some specific organization is willing to back the survey and will assume responsibility for the necessary financial support. This matter is a very impor- tant feature, and no survey should be attempted until there is definite assurance that the cost connected there- with has been provided for. If the survey cannot be fin- ished, or when finished cannot be published many of its benefits will be lost. The cost of the survey will vary greatly. Some of the social surveys of our large cities have cost thousands of dollars, while, some surveys, where all of the work has been volunteered, have cost very little. A Survey of Fargo, North Dakota, a city of about twenty-five thous- and population, cost the organization backing it less than THE SURVEY PLAN one hundred dollars. In that city, however, all of the work was volunteered by the Social Science department of Fargo College. When it is evident that a survey will be properly fin-\ anced and supported by interested parties, the first thing [ to be done is to secure some person of broad experience! in social survey work to spend a week or ten days in thej community making a quick diagnosis of the local con-| ditions. At the end of that time, the expert will make a report outlining a plan including the phases of community life which require special emphasis, and in perfecting the organization and machinery for carrying on the work. There are several state universities as well as some independent organizations which have a staff of experts, whom they will send to make such a diagnosis of any community desiring it, — among them, being Wisconsin, Kansas, Southern California, Chicago, Iowa, Minnesota, The Russell Sage Foundation and several others. When the diagnosis of the community has been made by a social survey expert, the next step will of course largely depend upon the recommendations made by the preliminary survey. Two general methods may be adopted in carrying on the work. A. After the preliminary investigation by a first class man has been completed, an expert in each line may be commissioned to make a more detailed diagnosis and sup- ervise the investigation of his particular field. Where the State University carries on such work, these experts may be secured without very much additional expense. How- ever, the fact should always be kept in mind, that one feature of the greatest importance in making a social sur- vey, is to interest as many people as possible, — hence, a large number of committees should be organized, com- posed of persons from every station of life and represent- ing every organization. These committees should work with the various experts in charge. This will not only 8 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS create a more widespread interest, but will also be the means of training future community leaders. There are some social surveyors who are inclined to discourage much volunteer work, claiming it is too inefficient, but the ultimate value of the survey will depend much more on the development of local interest, and social conscious- ness, than on the efficiency with which the survey was made. If the expert in charge is careful in taking into consideration the personal characteristics and qualifica- tions of the volunteer workers, he can readily place each one where the most effective work can be done. B. After the preliminary survey has been made, in- stead of securing experts to make investigations along their special lines, have one trained investigator take charge of all the work. With the aid of some paid assist- , ants, and the co-operation of leaders from all the various organizations in the community. In this way a very suc- cessful social survey can be made, and if the proper kind of a "follow up" campaign is adopted, practically every reasonable recommendation of the survey will be adopted. Publicity is a feature of a social survey which should not be overlooked. First of all, sufficient funds should be reserved to get the findings and recommendations be- fore the public. Of course, newspapers should be en- listed in the movement, but never-ending discretion must be used in publishing preliminary reports. An untimely or unwise report may do harm which will more than counterbalance the benefits of the survey. Every household in the community should be reached with the chief elements of the findings and the recom- mendations in a simple but very graphic manner. While a strong committee to make known and to create enthus- iasm in the investigation and suggested measures, by means of newspapers, public meetings and exhibits, is indispensable if the highest success is to be reached. How- ever, no public reports should be made, except for a defin- ite purpose, until all facts are obtained and carefully THE SURVEY PLAN checked for possible errors. The details of publicity work will be discussed in connection with the specific problems of each of the subdivisions of the survey. The various committees to have charge of the work should include the following: I. The Executive Committee, which will have general charge of the work of the survey and which should have charge of the the matter of financing the project. II. Committees of Investigation. 1. Committee on Population, covering the problems of: a. Density and distribution of population. b. Nationality. c. Domestic Life. d. Vital Statistics. 2. Public Welfare Committee having for its field of action a study of the social condition and activities, re- lating to the health, convenience and comfort of the com- munity, and investigating specifically the problems of: a. Housing. b. Public Utilities. c. Diseases and Health Measures. 3. Civic and Industrial Committee, dealing with the situation regarding the distribution of wealth, industrial situation, transportation and storage and the political conditions and activities as outlined under division F, group I. 4. Remedial and Corrective Agencies Committee, which should deal with the problems of: a. Child care. b. Charities. c. Outdoor Relief. d. Homeless men. e. Defectives. f. Other agencies. g. Juvenile Delinquents, h. Adult crime. 10 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS 5. Committee on Constructive Agencies. This com- mittee should investigate the situation with regard to: a. Recreation and Amusements. b. Educational Activities. c. Religious Activities. 6. Publicity Committee, whose duty it should be to make the results of the various investigations known, by means of newspaper reports, pamphlets, and charts, and most important of all, community exhibits. GENERAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION There is much information required in making a social survey which cannot be obtained from any official sources, but which must he secured by means of investi- gations of actual conditions^,. Before any such investiga- tions are undertaken, however, it is well- to have -een- sulted all persons who regularly come in contact with those conditions such as officials of various kinds, teachers, ministers, business men, professional men and social workers. The work will be greatly lessened if this is done before starting the survey, and it will also help to interest a large circle of persons who are informed on the questions to be investigated, and who may be able to point out means of securing the desired data without extra work or delay. The problem of collecting and properly interpreting statistical data is of the utmost importance and can hard- ly be over-emphasized, since carlessly selected or inaccur- ate data may defeat the entire work of the survey. // volunteer or inexperienced workers are used, never ceas- ing care must be observed or fatal errors will slip in. Four rules suggested by Quetelet, for obtaining statistical data, sum up briefly .the chief sources of errors: — 1. Never have preconceived ideas as to what the figures are to prove. 2. Never reject a number that seems contrary to what you might expect, merely because it departs a good deal from the apparent average. 3. Be careful to weigh and record all possible causes of an event, and do not attribute to one what is really the result of a combination of several. 4. Never compare data which have nothing in com- mon. 12 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS The amount of labor connected with the making of a survey will be determined largely by the ingenuity and tact of the workers and their ability to locate the most reliable sources of information. Conditions vary so much, that great skill is required to decide what data is reliable and accurate. There are some general sources of information, however, which can usually be obtained, and which is often of great value especially for compara- tive purposes. a. Official Statistics: 1. The census reports of the State and the Federal Government which alternate every five years. 2. The report of the State, County Officials and Local Health Department should furnish the nec- essary information needed concerning birth, mar- riage, divorces, deaths, contagious diseases, etc., — ■ but frequently these records are not well kept, — and even where apparently well kept, should be carefully checked for possible error. 3. Statistics regarding crime may be secured from court records, prison and jail reports and records, and the various boards and organizations dealing with delinquents. Since much of the data thus obtained may have been collected for a different purpose than the one connected with the investi- gation at hand, the chief value may lie in making comparative studies. 4. The Federal Census, United States Department of Labor, the State Boards and Commissions, as well as employment bureaus, boards of trade and labor and trade federations will be able to give much valuable data regarding the industrial -sit- uation. 5. Statistics regarding education, recreation, religi- ous bodies and ameliorative work may be secured from local, state and national organizations, whose work deals with these various subjects. As much SOURCES OF INFORMATION 13 of this data as possible should be obtained in order (i) to save time and energy of securing it your- self, (2) to compare local situation with those of other communities or with the general situation, and (3) to use as a basis for making the local in- vestigation. Unofficial data and Statistics : 1. Reports and records of private ameliorative and philanthropic organizations. 2. Reports and interviews with officials, and study of the pay roll of industrial establishments. 3. Reports of unions and interviews with labor lead- ers. 4. Public reports, and private interviews with of- ficials and employees of all business organizations with whose activities the survey deals. 5. The Federal and State statutes and general laws, city charters, city ordinances, the housing laws, health laws and similar specific regulations should all be very carefully noted. 6. The exact wording of the law should be obtained in every case. THE COMMUNITY SURVEY A. INTRODUCTION As a foundation for any social investigation one must have some general idea of the City or Community as a whole. Its character, whether industrial, composite or residential, will be a very important fact in determining the method of procedure. Each community has a distinct individuality which is the result of its history, its early inhabitants, the causes and method of growth and is in- fluenced by the predominating nationality', and by the tra- ditions and customs which the various factors have devel- oped in the community. The prevailing attitude toward civic improvements, special interest in some particular sub- ject and the attitude and composition of the local official bodies must all be considered, as well as of private organ- izations and individuals who may either help or hinder the work of the survey. 1. Is the community to be surveyed, a chartered city, • a ward, a village, or k town. If none of these, what kind of a unit? (Often'when some special problem is studied it can be more advantageously done by taking a limited district than by taWing the community as a whole). 2. What is the general character of the community, residential, commercial, manufacturing, industrial, or com- posite? The character of the survey and the placing of the greatest emphasis will be largely determ'ined by the answer to the above question. 3. What were the important causes that led to the founding and subsequent growth of the community? Very often specific problems may be traced back to the early history of the community. The data required may be obtained from early official records, newspaper files, private letters, and interviews with old residents. 4. Give nationality and chief characteristics of the peo- ple who made up the early community. Sometimes traces of the Weals and customs of the first settlers may be traced in the growth of local institutions for many genera- tions following. 5. Trace the industrial development of the early com- SECURING THE DATA 15 niunity. Has its growth been steady or intermittent ? Has there been recent marked changes? — See census reports, official records, and newspaper files. 6. a.' Is the industrial, political and social situation controlled by the descendants of the first settlers or by the more recent arrivals? b/ Inflnential individuals of past. c' Significant events of the past. The data obtained under this heading may often be used ver\- effectively in creating interest in the results of the survey, by connecting the present with the past history of community. A Pageant is one of the most effective \va\s of presenting the matter, and may be given at the time of the Community Exhibit. 7. What local social problem is of especial interest to the community before the beginning of the survey? This may be arrived at by interviews with leading citi- zens, newspaper files, and acquaintance with individuals from social groups. 8. a.' Can you depend upon co-operation of public offi- cials in making the survey? b.' Can you depend upon the support of the press ? These two agencies are very important if the greatest success is desired. The officials may do much to lessen the work of investigators and unless the newspapers take up the issues brought out by the survey, much of its value will be lost. 9. Is there in the community, any groups of men or wom.en who are willing to bear the responsibility and cap- able of taking up the work of the survey in a devoted and intelligent manner? The above questions are of the utmost importance, and should be carefully considered before making any attempt to outline the work of the survey. If the line of work suggested above is carefully done, there will be fewer mis- takes made in the outline of the work to follow. The re- quired information may be obtained largely by going over newspaper files, talking with well-informed citizens, busi- ness men, old residents, labor leaders, ministers, priests, teachers and others, and by referring to the various city and census reports ( I ) . 16 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS (1). See: What Social ' Workers Should Know About Their Own Communities, by Miss Byington, P. 7-8. Knowing One's Own Community, Aronovici, P. 9. B. natural; physical conditions (geographical) The geographical conditions of a community are gener- ally recognized in making a survey of a community as being of great importance, and one of the very first fac- tors to be considered. For, while the geographical con- ditions are fixed, and are very little changed by the activ- ities of men, except in such matters as deforestation, drain- age and the irrigation of arid regions, the activities of a community, its industrial character, its inhabitants, its growth and life depend largely upon its geographical loca- tion, its climate, natural resources and character of sur- rounding country. (2). 1. Give the location of the community to be surveyed, a.' Its area, b.' Topography, c' Source of water sup- ply, d.' Natural dra'lnage, and e.' Natural scenic ad- vantages. 2. a.' What are the economic resources of the vicinity? Its soil and products, waterpower, mines, quarries, forests, fisheries ? b.' Are the natural resources of a permanent na- ture? c' Are important natural resources monopolized? 3. Is the community near any large waterfront, on any natural highway, or is communication vc'Ah the rest of the world obstructed by mountains or other bar- riers ? 4. Are tBere other geographic or climatic conditions in your community which seem to be 'important factors in the social situation? What gives them their im- portance? (3). (2). See E. C. Hayes, "Effects of Geographic Conditions upon Social Realit'ies," Am. Jour. Soc. May, 1914; Semple and Huntington, Pulse of Asia. (3). Knowing One's Own Community, Aronovici, P. 11. Report of the Cities Committee, Soc. Society (Lon- don, Eng.), on Town-Planning, 1909. In addition to the sources suggested above for obtaining information concerning the locality, these questions may be answered by referring to the United States Geodetic Survey Department, Soil Surveys, Agriculture Depart- SECURING THE DATA 17 ment reports, Census reports, other publications of the state and federal departments, and by consulting local engineers. This information is very essential, both in order that the investigation will give due weight to conditions prev- alent in the community being surveyed, and in order that the future policy of the community may be made with proper consideration for the permanent as well as chang- ing natural physical conditions. C. POPULATION The population of a community is to a very great ex- tent dependent upon the geographical conditions in which it lives. The development of some of the natural re- sources, as coal, iron, oil or the improving of waste lands by drainage and irrigation, as well as advantageous com- mercial locations, and the development of transportation facilities, are all very important in determining the loca- tion of large groups of people. Newly arrived immi- grants are often induced to settle in congested areas, be- cause of the opportunities offered for gaining a livelihood — and conditions arise, which not only retard. — but often seem to check all efforts for social improvement. The social machinery becomes clogged by the increase in pop- ulation, and before a readjustment can be made, new problems have arisen, which are peculiar to that locality and generation. I. Distribution and Density of Population : 1. a.' What is the total population of the community? b.' Average number per acre? c' Are there especially congested areas? Where lo- cated? What is the apparent reason for their existence and locatiion? Average number per acre in each distinct area? The density of each block may be obtained in connec- tion with other data in making the house to house can- vas, which will be necessary to obtain much of the desired data — regarding family life and sanitary conditions sur- rounding the homes. The school census, state and federal 18 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS census and other official lists will be of much aid in check- ing the results for possible errors. 2. What per cent of the population of the community have come from other localities within less than five years ? 3. Is population increasing, decreasing or stationary? 4. What causes tend to increase or decrease popula- tion? Immigration? Development of industries which attract people from I neighboring communi- ties ? Raliio of births to deaths ? 5. What number of families have moved to other com- munities in the past five years ? 6. What has been the rate of growth of population for past five census periods ? 7. Indentify quarters of the city in which are assem- bled people of a distinct social character, (social, — industrial, relig'ioas, degenerate, commercialized vice, criminal). 8. a.' Do such quarters in any case correspond with political wards? b.' What are the causes of such localization? 9. How is the residential distribution of the people ' afi^ected by street railroads, by steam ra'ilroads, by location of industrial plants, — topography, land values, and rents ? 10. Make statistical summary of data obtained. When the data concerning the various phases of the above questions has been carefully summarized, charts and maps should be made graphically portraying the results obtained. It is often advisable in making a survey- of a large community to divide it according to special population groups, since at times there are specific problems peculiar to individual communities. The divisions may mark off distinct social groups, communities contingent to some church, a school, specific industrial groups, or commun- ities where the economic status of the people is so decided- ly different, that the social problems of the different com- munities require to be studied from separate viewpoints. This method was successfully followed in a survey made at Urbana, Illinois (the report of which is not published). A section of the city, which had approximately i,ooo in- habitants, was of distinctly different composition than the SECURING THE DATA 19 city proper, although with the exception of two or three families, this group was of American stock. While the city is a University town, and the county seat of a very prosperous agricultural community, here was an isolated group which was almost entirely industrial, 240 out ot a total of 285 adult males being emplojed in the 'Big Four' car shops and in brick yards. Their interests and most of their social activities were largely localized, while there was a general feeling that the city proper neglected them, and if civic improvements may be considered an index, this feeling was not without foundation. Hence it was found tfiat the best way to deal with this particu- lar group, was as a unit apart from the city as a whole. II. Nationality: 1. Number of entire population, by age, sex and na- tionality V 2. What nationalities are on the increase? Decrease? Is the cause local? 3. a.' Approximate number of immigrants by national- ity, who arrived during the last two years ? b.' Number unmarried, over 20 years, by age and sex? c.' Number of children under five years ? 4. Average marriage age, by nationality ? 5. What per cent of the population have both parents of the same racial stock ? 6. a.' What organizations are there which help in the proper distribution of immigrants? b.' Are they organized for commercial purposes ? III. Domestic Life: We are ever confronted by new problems which seem almost insurmountable, because their very solution will bring about an entirely new order of conditions. Modern economic conditions are developing new types of domestic problems. Labor, formerly done in the home, is now done in great industrial establishments, making it neces- sary, where the husband cannot earn enough to support the family, for the wife and often the children to go abroad to seek work. It has also been found by the writer in many cases where the husband is receiving wages far 20 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS above the average, the wife would be working at the same factory in which she worked before her marriage. This was done not from economic necessity, but because of her lack of training in household arts, she preferred to work away from home and make other provisions for the care of the household. Where formerly each family lived in its own house, great numbers are now crowded into one building, which destroys, or at least weakens the "home spirit," and on the other hand because of a constant change of residence, prevents the growth of a community spirit, which former- ly existed. Instead of spending the hours of recreation in the home, the young people are often from necessity compelled to go out upon the streets to spend their leisure time, and while the home used to be the great molder of character, since it provided for all the spare time of the child, it has become in many cases, merely the place where some of the meals are eaten and where the sleeping hours are spent. In short, the new conditions have raised the age of marriage ; it has changed the industrial character of the home ; weakened the home spirit ; and lessened the influence of home life in the development of the child. 1. Has the commercial or industrial life of the com- munity any observable effect upon domestic life? 2. Is anyth'ing done to develop interest in the im- provement of home conditions of laboring people ? 3. a.' What is the ratio of divorce to marriage in the community ? b.' Among what race is divorce the most preval- ent? c' Most frequent grounds for divorce? d.' Has the church any influence on the question of divorce in this community? 4. What are the state laws regardiing non-support and desertion ? 5. Are deserters ever brought back to this state by extradition ? 6. Number of men paying for support of families by order of the court? 7. What do homes in the community offer for cultural improvement and enjoyment (see recreation) ? SECURING THE DATA 21 8. Lodging and rooming houses (see Housing) ? 9. Labor of women and children (see Industry) ? 10. School attendance and other cultural activities (see Education) ? 11. Rel'igious activities of home (see Religion) ? IV. Vital Statistics: 1. a.' What is the average marriage rate in commun- ity? b.' Average marriage age of unskilled laborers? c' Average marriage age of skilled laborers? d.' Average marriage age of salaried persons? e.' Average marriage of professional persons? f.' Number of childless famiEes after three years of raanied life ? — after five years ? 2. Is there any local influence which tends to raise or lower the marriage age ? 3. Annual birth-rate by nationality per thousand of population ? 4. Annual death rate per thousand population, during the last five years ? 5. Annual death rate per thousand children under one year ? Under five years ? 6. What is the annual death rate per thousand, by na- tionality, for the past five years ? 7. Give annual death rate for each of the more pre- valent, preventable and contagious diseases, as, oc- cupational diseases, industrial accidents, tuberculo- sis, typhoid, measles, diptheria, scarlet fever, pneu- monia, and intestinal diseases for each block, ward and for the city as a whole. Show distribution of deaths from different diseases on map. 8. Make statistical summary of all data under "Popu- lation." It is usually difficult to obtain accurate statistics con- cerning the population. The records of the board of health are often very incomplete, many births are not registered, deaths improperly registered, and population figures between census years are often a general approx- imation which depends upon someone's point of view and may be exaggerated or diminished accordingly. How- ever, a careful investigation will reveal many of these shortcomings and may lead to a more careful record of vital statistics, which in itself would be worth the effort. Very much of the data required in following the above 22 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS outline will necessitate the making of a house to house canvass. When making such a canvass, it is often well to get as much data as possible, without making the work cumbersome, in order to check up data secured from other sources. The information which can readily be secured in the canvass necessary to obtain the required data on housing, (See D. I. Housing) includes, the number of men; women; children under i6 years; occupation of head of family. . length of residence; nationality; and the prevalence of any contagious or communicable diseases during the past two years. This last item may be very unreliable, but, it will often be of use in making compar- isons with the official statistics on those topics. In the survey of Council Grove, Kansas, the data was gathered for each block. This data was totaled and put on a large outline map together with the data regarding sanitary and housing conditions of each block. Thus it was graph- ically shown how many people lived in each block, the vital statistics of each block, together with the sanitary conditions. The result was more striking and did more to create a desire to clean up than any other feature of the exhibit of the Survey. However, this map showing sanitary conditions and vital statistics does not preclude charts. Large charts should be made showing specific conditions and the prevalence of commendable as well as undesirable population statistics. Each Chart should contain the data concerning one item only. It should be very clearly stated and illustrated, and where possible, comparisons made with other com- munities or with the percentage concerning any point for the state or nation as a whole. D. SOCIAL CONDITIONS AND ACTIVITIES, RELATING TO THE HEALTHj CONVENIENCE AND COMFORT OF THE COMMUNITY. (4). I. Housing. The housing conditions of a community affect prac- tically every aspect of its social well-being, and is one of SECURING THE DATA 23 the most important factors in determining the health and morals of the community. In order to make an effective study of housing conditions it is necessary first, to be thoroughly familiar with the existing laws and regulations affecting the conditions and methods of construction of houses and tenements, and the extent to which they are enforced. Likewise, there should be more or less famil- iarity with the housing conditions of other communities similarly located, — in order to make instructive compar- isons. Most medium sized American cities have very meager housing laws, and hence it is often necessary to secure legislation of some sort before the simplest official action can be secured. There is a case in a medium sized city in Illinois, which illustrates the point. A case of typhoid was found in a family which came to the at- tention of the United Charities of that city. The attend- ing physician traced its origin to the cellar, where there was a seepage through the brick wall, caused by a defec- tive sewer pipe. The landlord paid no attention to com- plaints, and the city authorities did not feel they had power to act. It was not until the matter was about to be referred to the State Board of Health that any action by the landlord could be obtained. Merely getting or- dinances passed, without sufficient machinery to see that they are enforced is almost worse than no laws whatever, hence if any legislative action is obtained, provision should likewise be made for .efficient inspection and en- forcement. (5). 1. a.' Do any industries furnish houses for their em- ployees ? (4). See Henderson, C. R. Social Elements — ^Appendix. (5). Housing Reform and A Model Tenement House Law by Lawrence Veiller, N. Y. Charities Publ. Comm., 105 E. 22 St. What Social Workers Should Know, Miss Byington. Labor and Administration by J. R. Commons contains a Score Card for dwelling houses, which has been found to be very efficient, since it serves to standardize re- 24 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS ports made in a house to house investigation. b.' Are they individual cottages? c' What is their character? 2. a/ Character and management and number of boarding houses ? b/ Number and location of lodging houses? c/ Number lodgers in each? d/ Amount of bed-room space per lodger? e.' Are there night and day shifts in any? S. Number of families having children, who take board- ers ? Number of boarders per family ? 4. Number of families having children, who take room- ers ? Number of roomers per family ? 5. Number and classification of hotels? 6. a.' What regulations are there concerning hotels and rooming houses? b/ Are the regulations enforced? By whom? 7. Are there any rooming houses provided by philan- thropic agencies? Capacity? Condition? Often industries furnish houses which have the out- vsrard appearance of being satisfactory, but on closer in- vestigation are found to be very unsatisfactory and neglected. At times this may be due to the tenants, but more often it is through lack of interest and failure of owners to keep them in a proper state of repair. The above items will concern large cities more defin- itely than smaller communities although the situation in small cities is often as much in need of an investigation as larger cities. The writer has known of rooming condi- tions even in student quarters of University towns which to the person unacquainted with facts would seem un- believable. Likewise small cities often have situations which create peculiar problems. The City of Fargo, North Dakota, while having a population of 25,000 (191 7) is the distribution point for thousands of laborers every harvest season and as a result the rooming situa- tion at that period of the year is a very serious problem. Another example is a city of about 3500 in Illinois. It was thought there was no industrial or houseing prob- lem, and consequently a local charity organization did relief work in a neighboring city. However, almost be- SECURING THE DATA 25 fore it was realized, a colony of about 400 Slavs had grown up in the very center of the community. Most of them were men without families , who were attracted there by opportunity for labor in a factory located in the city. They crowded together in delapidated buildings, a deserted brewery, an old disused hotel and several un- used store buildings, in a manner which could hardly have been duplicated in a large city ; but the problem was so near home, and the local class prejudice was so high, that apparently no interest was taken toward improving their condition. Similar conditions a little farther from home, larger in the aggregate, but not in proportion to population, would have been given at least some of the attention merited. b. Regulation of Private Houses and Tenements: 1. What are the requirements regarding: — a.' Light and ventilation of halls and rooms? b.' Vacant spaces in yards and courts? c' Surface water and drainage? d.' Sewer connections? e.' Shallow wells and other sources of water sup- ply? f.' Indoor Closets? Outdoor Closets? g.' The use of cellars for living purposes ? h.' Fire escapes. 2. Are there special provisions for new or remodeled houses and tenements? 3. What is the number of inspectors ? Specific duties of each? Is number sufficient to do work each is supposed to do? If not, how is situation met? 4. Do they inspect on their oviTi initiative, at stated times or only on complaint? 5. a.' Have the 'inspectors the power to vacate unfit houses ? What method of procedure is taken when an unfit house is found? 6. a.' What was the number of violations last year? b.' Nature of violations? c' Action taken, and disposal made of them? The information obtained under the above heading may be used very effectively in making the Exhibit, by com- paring with other cities and with what may be done in the local community. In making the comparisons, considera- 26 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS tion must be taken of the size of community, work accom- plished, equipment and cost. C. SPECIAL QUESTIONS FOR HOUSE TO HOUSE INVESTIGATION ( Suggestions for items to be considered in making the detailed investigation in connection w*Ith the gathering of Population Statistics). 1. a.' What are the general surroundings of dwelling place, size of yard, or court? b.' Percentage of lot covered by buildings? c' In what condition are premises kept? 2. a.' Is there surface drainage? b.' Is live stock kept on premises ? Condition ? 3. Do inhabitants .show any degree of pride in appear- ance of dwelling place? Are they encouraged to do so? 4. Is air poisoned by fumes, gases, dust or smoke from factories, railroads or marshes? 5. a.' Number rooms per family ? b.' Number in each family, Adults? Children? c' Floor space per family? Boarders or roomers? 6. Give general type of building ? 7. Has building sewer connections? If now, what dis- position is made of sewage? 8. a.' What per cent of apartments have toilet facili- ties in common with others? b.' What is condition of plumbing? Type of toilet ventilation ? 9. Outdoor Closets? Condition kept? Number u^ing? Connected with sewer? 10. What is source of water supply? By how many persons used? 11. a.' Is building well ventilated and lighted? b.' Number of dark or ill-ventilated rooms and halls ? 12. Is cause of their being dark or ill-ventilated due to nearness to other buildings, air shafts, or interior rooms ? 13. Are there cellar or basement dwell'ings? Number, Condition ? 14. a.' What is general condition of cleanliness of build- ing? b.' Is 'it due to carelessness of inhabitants, or delapi- dated condition and undesirable surroundings? SECURING THE DATA 27 15. Are tenements and lodging houses properly provided with fire-escapes? The above questions may be prepared in order on a sheet, in connection with several questions indicated un- der "Population." After much experimenting with many different sets of investigators ranging from highly trained men to High School pupils, the writer has found the fol- lowing way to be the most convenient. The questions to be asked at each house, and the other items to be observed by the investigator are numbered, and each number and a "key word" of the question it represents, is printed on a separate line, of ruled paper, down the left hand side of the sheet. The back side of the sheet is left blank, and upon this the investigator can sketch a map of the block being investigated when it is desired to make a city map indicating sanitary conditions of every lot in each block. Streets on sides of the block must be carefully indicated. In each city lot certain symbols may be placed, designat- ing the sanitary conditions thereof. The data is likewise recorded on the printed side of the sheet, and thus each sheet will contain : ist, complete data for block as a whole ; 2d, a map showing sanitary conditions. See figure, page 35. The results of this house to house investigation should be summarized and the totals of each item represented on a large chart, with striking illustrations wherever possible, and with comparative data on those points from other similar communities. Summary : — 1. Number of houses exam'ined which were seriously defective ? 2. Average number of families in each? 3. Total number of persons affected? 4. Number of children? 5. Number of cellar or basement dwellings ? 6. Number of buildings covering 50% of lot? 75%? 7. Number badly kept yards and surroundings ? 8. Number of families having one room ? Two rooms ? Three rooms ? Four rooms ? 9. Number of houses without sewer connections? 10. Number of houses 'lacking proper toilet facilittes ? 28 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS 11. Number lacking water supply? Light and ventila- tion ? Fire escapes ? 12. How do old and new tenements compare in the light of this investigation ? 13. Is the erection of new buildings properly regulated by building laws? Compare local laws and the method of enforcing laws with other communities ? 14. What special needs has this investigation disclosed? The special needs along each line should be simplified as much as possible, so that the people of community will not become confused nor overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem before them. But when it is reduced to its simplest form, and a workable plan has been devised for securing the remedy, every ounce of energy should be exerted to make it a paramount issue. A very thoro cam- paign of education along that line must take place in order that the community as a whole will see the need for action as clearly as the few individuals directly connected with the investigation. II. Public Utilities: The rapid development of public utilities and their proper development and control is becoming of ever in- creasing importance. Formerly keeping up the highways and bridges was the extent to which a town was compelled to go. To this was soon added sewage and garbage dis- posal, the water supply, fire protection, lighting of streets, the problem of local transportation and control of street traffic. In fact, municipal life has become so complicated and so dependent upon the services of the various utilities that the failure of any one to function properly will affect the life of the entire community, and may result in untold hardships. Before talcing up the study of the Public Utilities it is well to become thoroughly familiar with the different forms of control adopted in different states of the Union, notably, Massachusetts, New York and Wisconsin, and the methods used by the leading American cities as well as the methods followed in European Countries. (6). (6). Control of Public Utilities, see: — SECURING THE DATA 29 Proceedings of Political Science Association, 1910. Proceedings of Nat'l Mun. League, 1910. Annals of the Am. Acad, of Political and Soc. Sci., May, 1910. Meyers, B. H., Am. Pol. Sci. Review, 1911. Baker, Municipal Engineering and Sanitation. Fairlie, J. A., Mun. Admin'istration, Cr. II. Goodnow, Municipal Gov't. Munro, Am. Mun. Gov't. A. Streets and Local Transportation : 1. a.' Condition of Streets? b.' Types of Paving? c' Mileage of each ? 2. a.' Under what legal and municipal conditions are new streets laid out? b.' Is there a well organized plan for city development? c' Are existing streets properly located? d.' Is theKr width adapted to their use? e.' Is there street parking? 3. Character of bridges; viaducts; grade-crossings? Do any of above present a specific problem ? 4. Method and frequency of street cleaning, sweeping or flushing? 5. Arc the ordinances referring to streets applied to alleys as well ? Are they enforced ? If not, what is the reason? 6. Street railway and other local transportation facili- ties? Are they adequate? Satisfactory? 7. a.' Are Street railways owned privately or by mu- nicipality? b.' If privately owned, what are the terms of the franchise contract? 8. What regulation is there of taxicab and other livery service ? B. Sewage and Garbage Disposal: 1. a.' Is there an adequate sewer system ? b.' Does it cover all parts of the community ? c' Make map of community showing extent of system. ' 2. Is there any ordinance which deals with 'the connect- ing of all buildings with sewer ? To what extent en- forced? If not enforced, what seems to be the reason ? The exact number and location of every house not connected with sewer may be secured in making the house to house canvass. One of the most striking features of every complete survey is the large number of houses, often in the best residence section of a city' which are not con- nected with sewer. Somtimes there is an old house, which 30 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS was built before the sewer was extended to its present limits. The owners feel that the building is not worth improving and as a result, year after year will pass by with no change in the matter. In making a survey of a city having a population of about 20,000 the writer found two business blocks, almost in the center of town which had neither sewer nor water connections. In addi- tion to the many small business houses, hotels and rooming houses ; there were 360 permanent residents in one of those blocks. The owners, however, insisted that the buildings were not worth the extra expense of sewer and water connections. Not until the matter was brought to the attention of the community by means of the survey was it possible to arouse more than a passing interest in the matter. 3. What disposition is made of the sewage ? 4. a.' Is there a sewage disposal plant? Type and method of conducting it? b.' If tliere is no sewage disposal plant Kn what manner is sewage disposed of? c' Does it endanger local water supply? d.' Does it endanger health of individuals or cities outside of local community? 5. Does City collect garbage? Method; equipment; frequency; cost? 6. If City does not collect garbage, method of disposal ? What effect has method of disposal on sanitation of City? 7. Are alleys and back yards kept free from refuse? Much of this material will be obtained in the house to house visitation and the investigators should be very care- ful to note all conditions as they proceed and record loca- tion and extent thereof carefully. . Water, Fire Protection, Light and Heat: 1. a.' Source of public water supply? b.' Municipal or private plant, c' What are the rates? How do these compare with rates in other towns of similar size and location? d.' If rates differ form those compared, what is the reason? e.' Sanitary condi- tion of water? (B. 1. c.') 2. Is there adequate fire protection ? Compare with other cittes regarding equipment and units. SECURING THE DATA 31 3. a.' Do water mains extend to all parts of the com- munity? b.' Number of houses not connected with water. See (D. I. Summary). 4. a.' What is number of open or shallow wells? b.' Number unprotected from surface drainage? c' Other wells ? 5. Make map showing location of all objectional wells and outdoor closets in the City. (See House to House investigation D. I.) In the survey of Urbana, Illinois, mentioned above, it was found that virhile the city had an excellent vi^ater sys- tem, a portion of the city received little of its benefits, and that it had practically no fire protection. An inves- tigation of the water supply revealed the following for that section: Shallow open wells 124; bored wells 8; city water 13. Of the 124 shallow wells 17 were considered unfit for use at the time of the investigation, but, as it was the spring of the year, nothing was thought of it, as many of them, being from 8 to 18 feet deep, "went bad" in the springtime. This same investigation revealed 142 privies and water closets unconnected with the sewer, and only 5 houses had modern plumbing. In spite of these conditions, people were surprised at the annual deathrate. Likewise in Lawrence, Kansas, there were scattered throughout the city 1500 wells and over 1500 outdoor toilets. An analysis was made of 874 wells in 1915. Of these 765 were south of Kaw River, and 599 were bad or suspicious, while only 166 or 21 per cent were good. This includes the University section of the city, where in 19 1 6, there were 22 cases of typhoid among students, resulting in four deaths. Of the 1500 outdoor toilets, over 700 were not connected with the sewer. These were not limited to the poorer sections of the city, but were found even in the University section. Now these exam- ples are not outstanding in any way except that they are typical and show how it is often the case, that we live for years in surroundings which we hardly notice because of their familiarity. When an epedemic of typhoid breaks out, as was the case among the University students 32 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS at Lawrence, Kansas, in 1916, we blindly ask "Where did they get it?" and let the matter rest at that. 7. a/ What means of public lighting in community? b/ Are plants owned by city or private companies? 8. How does cost of light compare with other citties ? 9. Are there municipal or privately owned public heat- ing and power plants ? Extent used ? D. Other Utilities and Improvements : 1. a/ What are the facilities for handling and distri- buting mail ? b/ Are needs of city adequately sup- plied ? 2. Is telegraph service good ? 3. What per cent of families use the telephone? Is there more than one system ? 4. a.' What public buildings, markets, public baths, comfort stations, rest rooms, hospitals in the com- munity? b.' How adapted to use? c/ In what condition kept ? d/ Are any in process of construc- tion? 8/ What are the most pressing needs of city along above line? 5. What centers in community whose purpose is to add convenience, comfort and beauty? 6. What efforts are being made to improve the general appearance of the city? 7. Are telephone poles, unsightly lamp posts, etc., tol- erated? Any effort to regulate Bill Boards? 8. What provisions are made for tree planting. Park- ing and beautifying in general ? There are various kinds of public utilities which have not been mentioned here, since they are not as generally found as those noted ; but the investigation of which should be based upon the general considerations, which were suggested in some detail above. The general course to be followed in making these investigations consist in : — 1. Conference with officials and employees of the par- ticular utility being investigated. 2. Survey of its activities, transactions and records. 3. Detailed study of: — a.' Operating processes, b.' Business transactions, c' Accounting, d.' Administration, e.' Organization. SECURING THE DATA 33 4. Study of mechanical and technical work performed. 5. Operating performance and efficiency. 6. Making of report, with suggestions for reorganiza- tion, improvement of plant, as well as noting any failure to meet the needs of the community. III. Disease and Health Measures: It is a well known fact, that statistics concerning the health conditions of most communities cannot be relied upon. The American people as a whole, do not seem to realize the value of accurate health reports, and as a re- sult, those we have cannot be relied upon except to indi- cate the general situation. Even though a rather heavy- fine is placed upon the neglect to properly record births and deaths, great laxity is often found. In one city where there was a penalty of twenty-five dollars attached to the failure to record births, — a very brief investigation dis- closed the fact that during a period of six months eleven births had not been recorded, and several deaths had been improperly recorded. In one Kansas city, even, the local health officer admitted that he sometimes neglected to record births while in almost every community we find laxity in the reporting of contagious and communicable diseases. When such conditions prevail, and examples may be found in nearly every community, the value of the records are very materially lessened. Therefore, while it may be found in making this study, that many of the statistics have little value, if the lack of care in re- cording them can be shown and their value impressed upon the community, the effort will be well repaid. Some of the data required may be obtained from the State Health Department, from the local Health Officers, Physicians, nurses, midwives, school officials and teach- ers, and also certain aspects of the situation will be ob- tained in the house to house canvass. 1. a.' What is death-rate by wards for past five years ? b.' Apparent Cause of excess in any ward? 2. a.' Is it more prevalent among certain racial groups ? b.' Any apparent reason? 34 TECHNIQUE OP SOCIAL SURVEYS 3. Number of cases of each contagious disease reported or known within past two years? Make chart of principal diseases on basis found among different nationalities. 4. a/ What quarantine measures are used? b.' Attitude of public and of physicians toward quarantine measures? c/ What communicable or contagious diseases are not quarantined, or only in part? 5. Do physicians and midwives report all births? Are midwives licensed? What precautions are taken aga'inst Opthalmia Neonatorum? (7) 6. a.' What epidemics have there been in the last five years? b/ Number affected? c' Number who re- ceived free treatment in hospitals or dispensaries? d.' For what disease? (7). For information write to "The Committee on the Prevention of Blindness," 105 E. Twenty-Second Street, N. Y. City. 7. Has recurrence of epidemic from same cause been prevented? If any disease has been especially pre- valent, what seems to be the cause?' 8. a.' Medical inspection of schools? How adequate? b.' Number of children absenting themselves from school during the past year because of illness? Number of days lost? 9. Has school been closed on account of epidemics? 10. a.' Number of cases of illness discovered among school children by medical examiner ? b.' Nature of illness? c' Number of cases of tuberculosis found among children? 11. a.' What other measures are taken regarding health inspection in the community? (See Sewage and Garbage.) b' What are the state i-egulaDions re- garding sanitation in industrial establishments? (8) 12. Is there special need of health education among the people at large in regard to care of homes? What is being done? (9) (8). Note especially the laws of New York, Massachu- setts and Ill'inois on Factory Sanitation. They are among the best in the United States. (9). Much may be done toward improving health con- ditions in a city by campaigns for health. Possibly as much has been done in this line in Chicago (See Health Bulletin) as in any city in the country. Co-operafion of all the dift'erent organizations possible working hand in ■(^ K ^ ^ N ^ « «^ "^ (0 w 1/3 s. 5 C3 >^ lu I ^ 'is +. w o ® o ^ ^ o -s] d ^ ^ /^r ^ye. W5 1/1/ ws ws o C ws tvs ws (10 f a o ® xs X X a X A X O a ^s AS X K r /- o /i^ V r C W5 ws ® ® ws o w ® ® b :2^ A i^t 36 TECHNIQUE OP SOCIAL SURVEYS hand with the Health Department is sure to decrease any prevaling evil. 13. a.' What regulations are there concerning food in- spection ? What is the local condition of places hav- ing food for sale? 14. What milk regulations? How enforced? Make bacterialogical tests of milk sold in commun'ity, and investigate all dairies which furnish milk to city, as well as local milk depots. ' 15. What has been done to 'increase knowledge of the care of health? (See Chicago Health Bulletins). 16. Is there need of a more rigid enforcement of lawff regarding the reporting of all forms of contagious and communicable diseases? (S«e California and New York Regulations). 17. What work has been done by the various societies for the prevention of diseases? 18. Is fumigation required after tuberculosis cases? If not,, — why not ? 19. a.' Are death reports and causes discussed in daily preiss ? 20. Smnmarize and Make Charts of Data Obtained Above with Suggestions. E. WEALTH AND INDUSTRY I. Distribution of Wealth: A knowledge of the distribution of wealth in a com- munity is one of the most valuable assets of a social worker, since much of the community and individual wel- fare is based upon the matter of income. The social sta- tus of a community is so dependent upon the economic status, that in an industrial community' where income re- solves itself into wages and steadiness of employment, a study of those items will give one more insight into social conditions than any other single study could reveal. In one community where the following outline was used it was found that 50 per cent of the heads of families had a weekly income of fifteen dollars a week or less. How- ever, the average yearly income of working men was higher than in another community studied where the weekly wage of laborers varied from fifteen to twenty SECURING THE DATA 37 dollars a week. The reason was that much time was lost because of severe winters and other factors which cut the yearly average of laborers in that community to $420.00 notwithstanding their high weekly wage. Hence, great care must be exerted in making a study of economic and industrial conditions, to get all the factors which have any bearing upon the income of workmen in com- munity. Seasonal labor, cost of fuel and water ; rental and food prices must be carefully considered in making :i comparative study of the income of workers in different communities. The data required may be obtained from the reports and records of philanthropic agencies, labor organiaztions, payrolls and reports of various industrial establishments, banks, insurance companies, and other sources mentioned in connection with the different studies already suggested, 1. a.' Is there much poverty in the community ? b.' What is the total number of persons aided by charitable and philanthropic agencies, municipal and pi'ivate, during the past year? c' How does percentage of persons helped compare with other communities? d.' What was chief cause for the need of such aid? e.' What has been done to prevent repetition of the same situation? The writer once made a study of a community which had a flood practically every year. Each time there was a flood, scores of families were driven from their homes and were cared for by the city, and by the local organizations of various kinds. Each time there was a flood, more damage was done to property, not to speak of the cost of caring for the needy families, than it would have cost to construct a levee for a distance of about 300 feet al- tho that was all that was necessary, to keep the river from flooding the town. 2. Is the proportion of persons without any property increasing or decreasing ? 3. a.' What is the per capita wealth of the community according to estimate ? How great are the ex- tremes fo wealth? 38 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS 4. a/ What percent in gainful occupations or heads of families have an income of $5,000. or ever per year? Of $2,500. or over? Of $1,000. and under $2,500? Of less than $1,000. and over $700? Of $15. per week or less? 5. Classes of common labor most numerously repre- sented, and wages of each ? Proportion of each ? 6. Per cent of families who are aided by charity and who are habitual debtors? a.' How many families own their homes? b.' Number who rent? c' Per cent of each? 7. Is the tendency to own homes on the increase or de- crease ? 8. a.' What is the average value of 'individually owned homes ? b.' Per cent free from mortgages? 9. a.' Are there building loan associations? b.' Con- ditions ? 10. a.' Per cent of people earning salaries who own homes ? b.' Per cent earning wages? 11. a.' What are the chief causes of poverty? b.' Is there any effort being made to rectify them? (11) 12. a.' How does the cost of living (fuel, rent, light, water, and food) compare with the rate of wages? b. 'Has anything been done by employers to in- crease wages to meet increased cost of I'lving? (12) 13. a.' How do these conditions compare with similar communities in other parts of the state? b.' With similar communities in other states? (13) 14. a.' Per cent of laboring people who have deposits in bank? Total deposits in sav^ings banks, average amount per depositor? b.' Is there a Postal Sav- ings Bank? c' Extent patronized ? 15. Are there any organizations which loan money to workers on their notes at reasonable rate of inter- est? Tell what they are, and their methods? 16. Total amount of money transmitted to foreign coun- tries last year? (11). See Poverty by 'Robert Hunter. (12). For study of Family Budgets see Study of Chi- cago Stockyards Community by J. C. Kennedy and others. Standard of LiVing Among Workingmen's Families by R. C.' Chapin, Charities Publishing Company, New York and Chicago. Cost of Living by. Ellen Richards. A Living Wage by Samuel Gompers, The American Federationalist, April, 1898. SECURING THE DATA 39 (13). Wages in the United States, Scott Nearing. "Legal M'inimum Wage in the U. S." by A. M. Holcombe, Am. Econ. Rev. Vol. 2, Fabian Socialist Tract, No. 128. II. Industrial Activities: Facts concerning the industrial activities of the com- munity may be secured to some extent from employers of labor, labor leaders, and from the board of trade, or chamber of commerce as well as from magazines and newspapers. Likewise some states have departments of labor from which a certain amount of data may be ob- tained. However, the investigator must carefully check up all data, received from these various sources and bu- reaus, and supplement it by. data obtained by individual investigation. A. Control of Industries: 1. What are state laws governing age limits, hours, conditions and kind of industries in which women and children may be employed ? Compare with laws of leading states. How enforced in this community? 2. What legal restrictions are placed on tenement in- dustries? (See Holden v. Hardy 169, U. S. 366; Otis V. Parker 187, U. S. 606; re Jacobs 98 N. Y. 98, 103, 112-114. Cases seem to show that legislature cannot get away from prevailing economic status.) 3. a.' Are age certiificates required in this state ? b.' Number issued in community last year? c' Num- ber exceptions to the law allowed ? ' Reasons ? 4. a.' Number of prosecutions for violation ? b.' Num- ber of convictions? 6. Are records kept and reports made to a state de- partment ? 6. Compare industrial laws of your state and commun- ity with those of others? 7. How do the general labor conditions compare with those of other communities ? 8. a.' Has work been suspended during recent years because of strikes and lockouts? b.' Number of in- dustries and workers affected? 9. What have been the results of the more important strikes in last few years? 10. Give number and type of trade unions, employers unions, protective agencies, etc.? 40 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS Concerning each of the above : a'. Dues, amounts, and methods of grading collection? b'. Accounts properly kept? Reports published ? c'. Affiliated with any other organization? Is work duplicated by any? d'. What insurance features? Educational? e'. Method used by each to improve conditions ? f. Do unions seem to in- crease or to diminish efficiency of laborers? g'. What has been the effect of local labor union on wages, Sunday labor, and sanitary condition of laborers? h'. How are unions in general regarded by community? Is label de- manded on goods? B. Specific Questions for Individual Industries: 1. a.' Value of plant? b/ Value of output? c' Could the capital for supplying the required machinery be supplied by workers themselves? 2. a/ Total number of employees? b.' Number of na- tionalities? c' Number of men, women, children? d/ Number married, (men, women) ? e.' Per cent skilled? Unskilled? 3. Average wages of eacli class ? 4. Extent that labor in this industry is seasonal, casual, or permanent? (14) 6. What is the average number of days worked bv skilled? Unskilled? 6. a/ What opportunity does it g^ve for training or advancement? b/ Is apprentice system in vogue? 7. a/ Is there a pension fund? b.' Accident insur- ance? c' Profit sharing? Type of each (compare vnth German and English systems). (14). Of even greater importance than the rate of wages paid, is fluctuation in the demand for labor by in- dustrial establ'ishments. Not only does seasonal labor ma- terially affect the income, but the community life becomes unstable, thriftless, and changing. Unemployment in the U. S. Final Rep. of Industrial Com. Problem of the Unemployed, Hobson. Encyclopedia of Social Reform. Reports of U. S. Bureau of Labor. Report of Mayor's Commission on Unemployment, Chi- cago, 1914. 8. What are the methods of obtaining work? 9. What are the hours of work? b.' Number days per week? c' Overtime, if paid? SECURING THE DATA , 41 10. What *is the maximum and minimum amount of em- ployment offered in this industry? 11. What are the general conditions under which labor is carried on? a.' Is fire protection adequate? b.' Machinery safeguards? c' What is the condition of lighting in the place of work? d.' Is there proper ventilation? e.' Are women and children segregat- ed from men ? f .' Are there proper toilet facilities ? 12. What is the existing attitude between laborers and employers? Is there any arrangements for decid- ing disputes? C. General Summary : 1. a.' What are the manufacturing industries in this community? b.' Number of operating establish- ments in each industry? Total employed? 2. Number of other businesses such as banks, stores, restaurants, livery bams, hotels, post office, tele- graph and telephone, and express I companies, rail- roads, offices of professional men, etc. ? Total em- ployed ? 3. a.' Total output and total capital employed in all manufacturing industries? b.' In other industries? 4. Give, if possible, the total number, and average wages of each of the following classes: a.' Men, skilled, unskilled, b.' Women, skilled, unskilled, c' Children, d.' What is average number of days per year, each class is employed? 5. What lines of work are carried on by laborers aside from regular employment? 6. What is the maximum and minimum amount of em- ployment offered by all employment giving agencies in the city? 7. What is the total number of persons in the city de- pendent upon employment ? How do these two items compare ? 8. a.' What per cent of people seek employment else- where ? b.' Are they forced to do so ? Is there a free employment agency in the city? 9. What effect has scarcity or over supply of labor on community ? 10. Extent of growth of various industries in the last ten years? 11. a.' Have any new industries been developed or old ones bought out, suspended or absorbed by larger concerns in the last ten years ? b.' Have industries absorbed been bought out by local competitors or outside interests? 42 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS n; li. Ul u. I Ul V o (E E U ^' 3 S u n X z 'SI < X 1/) a lij rr Q 7 11 1. < -I 4 -, 10 ^ E lU X) • P! DC 1- < P u > < V. u. ^ Ll ■Jl : i a a. u UJ u £ a: 1 i 1 /■ 1 i 7 i| ; IS 7 o |S 3.3 ■ y j.| •i £d "" :| ; ■J-'-TI'l J 1 1 . z ii: ..|'Ui.M I 1 <. \ 31 ")M 1' Fii'-L j [ , ■ 1; u,iipiiii.:i 0[«UJdJ !■ 1 ■ ^ »[PHI E 1 o o J. V c h i i SECURING THE DATA 43 12. What is the legal or financial connection between any of the industries? 13. To what extent are industries owned by outsiders? 14. Does method of taxation have an effect on establish- ment of new industries? 15. Are industries dependent on ea!ch other's products? 16. Extent to which manufacturies are carried on in tenements or other buildings not adapted for indus- trial purposes? 17. a.' What products are manufactured in "sweat shops?" b.' Under what conditions? c' Wages? d.' To what extent are children employed in them? The statistics derived under the general summary of the industrial survey are especially valuable for charts and maps to be used at the community exhibit, altho in larger communities the other material may be used for the same purpose. Much tact will be necessary in secur- ing the above material, and often it w^ill be necessary to give assurance that the data concerning the status of indi- vidual industries vv^ill not be used for any purpose than to secure the total results of similar lines of industry in the community. Great care must likewise be exercised by the investigators to keep their own mind unbiased. The situation which often arises may be illustrated by two men who made investigations in a certain coal min- ing region, at approximately the same time. One favored the miners, and consequently reported a situation in which the mine workers were represented as models of good- ness, sobriety, industry and efficiency, while the mine owners were represented as being everything undesirable. The second investigator who favored the mine owners, saw nothing but what was most desirable in the activ- ities of the employers and reported a most exaggerated situation regarding the mine workers. The fact of the matter was, that neither report had any real value. Both investigators were prejudiced and hence neither saw things as they actually were. The fact can never be em- phasized too much, that an investigation in order to hatve any scientific value must be made by persons whose minds 44 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS h a < u u o u z > J i SECURING THE DATA 45 are free from bias on the subject, and who are capable of seeing both sides of any situation pertaining thereto. III. Transportation and Storage: 1. What railroad lines pass through the city ? 2. a.' Give number, capacity, etc. of warehouses, eleva- tors, and cold storage plants. Are they adequate and convenient ? b.' Include map of the chief lines of transportation and communication. 3. a.' To what extent is this a distributing center? b.' Commodities chiefly shipped ? ' 4. a.' What places of importance are wHthin easy dis- tance? Does this enable men to pass to or from ad- jacent cities for daily work? 5. What water connections has city ? a.' Are there any regular steamship routes? b.' Number of lines and routes? Number and size of vessels? c' Size and number of docks? Dock equ'Ipment? 6. How does the freight and passenger service com- pare in cost, convenience and speed with that of the railroad ? 7. a.' How do the rates of steamship and ralilroads on fuel, lumber and food supply effect the local prices of these necessities? b.' Compare prices of staple articles with prices in other communities which do not have the same transportation facilities. F. GROUP RELATIONSHIP In making a survey of a community one of the most im- portant things to be done, as was said in discussing the Survey Machinery is to come into close contact with the different groups already organized in the community. The interest of every group should be enlisted in the work where possible, in order that the ground which has already been covered by these organizations need not be gone over again ; that greater co-operation may be secured and over-lapping of activities eliminated, and that the indi- vidual groups may be made more efficient within their respective fields. I. Political: In many cities there is already established a Bureau of Public Efficiency, a Civic League, or similar organiza- tion whose purpose it is to keep in touch with the local 46 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS political situation. Where this is the case many phases of the problem have been thoroughly studied and the co- operation of such organizations is essential in obtaining the best results. It is likewise essential that the support of the Administration of the city and county be secured. In fact, if the preliminary work of the survey has been properly handled, there will be enough public sentiment and influential organizations back of the movement, that City and County officials will feel it their duty to do all the can to help the work along. If the preliminary work has not been carefully done, and the "machinery" has not been well organized the Survey may give the appearance of a semi-private enterprise peering into the private and public activities of the city, and hence will be frowned upon. Frequently, a group of people, a civic club, or other organizations will take it upon itself to make a sur- vey, fearful of losing some of the glory, which may be connected with the successful achievement of the Survey, they attempt to carry on the work alone. The statistics gathered and facts obtained may be more accurate in many cases, than if a larger group had been actively en- gaged in the work ; but, the results of the Survey, as ex- pressed in an awakened Social Consciousness of the entire community will be much less than if more were actively interested, and consequently, the action, resulting from a knowledge of facts will be less. (15) (15). See: — Reports of the Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency. How to start a Survey of your Cities Business Methods, by W. H. Allen, (Director of N. Y. Bureau of Mun. Re- search). The Am. City, Vol. 8, P. 253. Plans and Methods in Municipal Efficiency, by B. M. Bastall, Bulletin No. 1 to 19 of the Milwaukee Bureau of Economy and Efficiency. Knowing One's Own Community, by Carol Aronivic*i. P. 12-13. American Civic Association, 913-14 Union Trust Bldg., Washington, D. C. The Newburgh Survey. P. 89. A. General Situation : 1. a.' Is Community to be surveyed a political unit or SECURING THE DATA 47 J o S ^. 1 n ^ K a 5 > > ( o z I- llJ 111 c I- V) S S J 2 Z S o o o o i .! I I si g en &* 5 ffl S I I J I I 1 I I 1 soNiaiinaino 48 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS section thereof? b.' Has it a special or general charter? c' What changes in the charters in the last twenty-five years? (See A. 1. a.' — d'.) 2. What are the requirements for voting? 3. What race or nationality has the largest number of voters ? Do they usually vote as a practical unit ? ■ 4. Has there been any change in the last twenty-five years, in nationality having the largest vote ? 5. a/ What was the number, by nationality, of appli- cants for their first naturalization papers in the last five years ? Number refused ? b.' Number who ap- plied for 'their second papers in last five years? c/ Number naturalized citizens who voted at the last National election? 6. What appears to be the party choice by National- ity? Is there any special reason for this? 7. What are the chief political Parties? What local factions within political parties ? Relative strength of each party. 8. What businesses, social classes, moral or patriotic, motives, or specific interests are influential in each party ? 9. What other political organizations? Character, methods, and influence ? B. Local Political Organization: 1. a.' Frequency of local elections? b/ Methods of nominating and votings? c' Form of ballot? 2. a.' What is the type of local municipal government? b/ Number of elective officers? c' Are they elected by wards or at large ? 3. a.' Are there ward leaders ? b.' What is their char- acter, business, connection with public works, public offices, business, connection with public works, pub- lic ofi'ices, political affiliations? c/ What is the re- sult of their efforts ? 4. a.' What is the power of the mayor? b.' What are the departments in local government? Make chart showing lines of authorities in local government. 5. Number of workingmen or council ? a.' Lawyers ? b.' Number of officials representing special inter- ests? 6. How do the commissioners receive their appo'int- ment? 7. a.' Do the departments publish separate reports ? b.' Form of publicity used by departments ? c' Who determines form? SECURING THE DATA 49 C. Taxes : 1. a.' What is the tax rate? b/ How is it determined? Legal Limit? 2. a.' What is the number of tax payers on real estate? b.' Personal property? c/ Laws governing assess- ments? d.' How does assessed valuation compare with census valuation? 3. a.' Total amount of all revenue for the last fiscal year? b.' Total expenditures? 4. a.' Must c'lty borrow money to pay current ex- penses? Has it reached borrowing limit? 5. a.' What is the total indebtedness of the commun- ity? b/ What large improvements have been made in last five years on borrowed capital ? 6. a.' How is city budget made up? b/ Is there public discussion of its items? 7. a.' What is the method of accounting 'In use? 8. Is there a special school tax? What is it? Has it been increased in the past ten years? Result? 9. What is the total amount appropriated for the fol- lowing: Schools, sanitation, health, streets, and civic improvements during the past year? 10. Make chart or diagram showing the proportional amount used for each of the various public activities, during past year, and for a period of years. 11. What taxes are paid by the six highest taxpayers? Which of these are corporations ? 12. a.' What municipal body has power of appropriating and distributing funds? b/ Are requests upon the budget made openly and published, or privately to the appropriating body? D. Legislative Restrictions and Regulations: 1. What is the State law governing the sale of liquor? How well informed? 2. What is the general public attitude toward enforce- ment of liquor law ? Toward violators ? 3. a.' Is there local license or no license? b.' Number of Saloons ? Any other places where liquor is sold ? 4. Terms of granting and revoking licenses? 5. a.' Is there a "saloon limit" for schools and churches ? What are the local regulations ? Are they enforced ? If not, why not ? 6. Are baudy houses permitted or tolerated? (See F. in. F. 7. a.', b.', C) 7. a.' What legislation affecting the morals and health of the community at large was passed by the coun- 50 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS cil in recent years? b/ What provisions were made for enforcement? Are laws effective? If not, wherein is there weakness? 8. a/ What are the state and the city regulations of labor, housing and industries? b.' Who is responsi- ble for their enforcement? Are they properly en- forced ? 9. What voluntary activities in the interest of com- munity betterment are there? 10. If results are still unsatisfactory, what suggestions have you for improving conditions in general? E. Courts: 1. a/ What are the different courts in your city? b.' Jurisdiction of each? 2. a.' Are judges and mag'istrates appointed or elect- ed? b.' Time? c' Qualifications? 3. What court controls drunkedness, vagrancy, disord- erly conduct, non-support? 4. What powers and what options has a judge in cases arraigned on such charges? 5. a.' Number of ' convictions in court last year for drunkenness, vagrancy, disorderly conduct, non-sup- port, crimes against property, against persons? b.' Disposition made of them? 6. Number first offenders ? • 7. a.' Is there adult probation ? b.' Inderterminate sen- tence ? 8. How long 4s prisoner detained before brought to court? 9. Is there proper separation of sexes and of first and minor offenders at the place of detention? 10. What was the number of arrests and convictions, by nationalities, in the last year? A chart or diagram which graphically portrays the data under questions 5 and 6 is a very effective way of impressing certain weaknesses of th(e community. If there is an unusually large number of any particular type, one may look for one of two things, either the of- ficials are becoming more alert along that particular line, or there is some local cause, which is back of the increase, and which should be remedied in order to eradicate the evil at its source. F. Juvenile Courts: 1. Are all cases under sixteen brought here? What is SECURING THE DATA 51 the maximum age limit? 2. Does it deal with dependants, truants, and child la- bor offenders? Has juvenile court jurisdiction over adults connected with juvenile offenders? 3. a.' Are any cases of juvenile delinquents transferred to the regular court records ? If they are, for what reason ? 4. Is there separate detention home for juveniles? 5. Is the child's condition of life investigated and made a basis for judicial decisions? Are full records kept? 6. Is the juveriile court separate, or is it connected with some other court? 7. a.' Where and how are -cases heard ? b/ What dif- ference is made from the ordinary method of pro- cedure ? 8. a/ Are there probation officers? Number? b/ Are they paid or volunteers? Method of work? c' Are any connected with some private institution? 9. a.' Number of delinquents handled last year? b.' Age, sex, parentage ? 10. Number fined ? Number put on probation ? In in- stitutions ? Dismissed ? 11. Is there any ch'ild welfare society? 12. Relation of any such societies to the court? 13. What constitutes cruelty to children ? Neglect ? 14. For what reason does a court sanction the removal of children from their parents? A study of the Court system has been included under the political activities since the administration of Munic- ipal affairs is so closely related to the judicial system. It will be found that much better and more accurate data may usually be obtained in this department of local gov- ernment than in any other. In fact, it may not be pos- sible in all cases to secure accurate information on the various questions suggested, and it will probably be found, especially in smaller cities that the records are so loosely kept and such unbusinesslike methods are followed by the City officials, that very little more can be done than to reveal the absolute lack of efficiency and method. 52 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS II. AmerlioratweA. Reformative and Punitive: In every community, there are numerous organizations which have for their purpose the amelioration of the so- cial ills of the group in which they are located. While the benefits of these various bodies cannot be overestim- ated, there is often a woeful lack of efficiency in carrying on their activities. One of the reasons most frequently met which is a very irnportant factor in causing this in- efficient work, is in their lack of co-operation. Likewise, there are many poorly organized societies which have for their aim the elimination of some specific social ill, but no consideration is taken of the relationship to other evils or to the general life of the community. As a result of this the remedies advocated are frequently nothing better than makeshifts, and are applied to the effects, rather than to the causes of the evil. A. Child Care: 1. Number of children from this locality cared for last year by institutional agencies ? By placing out agencies? Other agencies? 2. What was the cost to public funds? To pi'ivate funds ? 3. Total number of children from this and other com- munities cared for in local institutions or by local agencies during past year? 4. a.' Number of children from this locality admitted by institutions, public or private, for feeble minded, crippled, abandoned, or orphaned children? b.' Are institutions adequate for needs ? If not, wherein do they fail? c' Conditions for admission to each in- stitution ? 5. a.' What is the cost of ma'intenance of each insti- tution? b.' Under what auspices is it carried on? c' Number of inmates in each? d.' Type of care given ? 6. a.' Number discharged from each institution in the last five years, who have become self supporting ? b.' Number who were followed up after discharge? 7. a.' Are children placed out in families? b.' Where children are placed out, how is the family chosen and what control is had over family afterwards ? 8. What control does the state have over each institu- SECURING THE DATA 53 S 2 ^ 5 O ■ S • m^ CLh c ■g k << O g X D < O O ^ H be = s 0) o si 5i > 3 to ^ -E Q 73 « ,5 S 5 P 3 dj 5 2--'^^ Z . S S T 01 M S 5 1 E-^ o fi.= E h h a y. A c3 if .5 = J E « o 5 ^ w ^ • C^ ca o o : ^. a! . a) *i m IV ^ Si 5 o 5 tf H o ^ t4 U is o 54 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS tion? How effectively carried out? 9. What methods of inspection and control are carried on ? See also questions under Juvenile Courts; Edu- cation; Recreatton; Domestic Life. The above mentioned field of inevstigation will require great care and endless tact, since some of the most fla- grant cases are deliberately violating the law and hence are using infinite care in keeping their activities covered. The writer once began an investigation of certain Baby Boarding Homes. In them were found children from cities two and three hundred miles distant. Positively no records of any kind were kept as to from whom the child was received or where it was placed. One manager thought that she might be able to tell the number of children she received in a year by consulting her bank book. One maternity home received patients, and placed their children for them. Before the child was twenty- four hours old it was passed on the the first baby board- ing home ; from there to a second ; and on in some cases to a third, when the first or second had all the children that could be handled. There were from five to six places which received babies from this one maternity home (where practically all cases were illegitimate) and placed them out, wherever and whenever they could. Not only was the fact that this indescriminate and illegal method of placing babies of importance, but many of these child- ren died from lack of care before they were placed out. One woman cared for 17 babies under two years of age, and another had 21 children, with only a fourteen year old girl to help her. Not only are conditions like those mentioned found, but, very frequently institutions maintained by well-mean- ing people and supported by private subscription or re- ligious bodies, as well as public institutions are frequently so over-crowded and poorly equipped that they become a positive menace. One private institution visited had beds for 35 children, but 58 were in the institution, and at the time the visit was made, 30 of them had chicken-pox, and SECURING THE DATA 55 were crowded into inadequate dormitories, often two children in a single cot. B. Charities: 1. a.' Is there an organized charity association? Num- ber of paid workers? Have they received special training? b.' Is aid given from society's funds, or is outside help interested in each case ? To what ex- tent is aid received from outside sources ? 2. Is the organization in reality an associated charity organization, or is it just one of several? In one town there was an organiaztion called "Associ- ated Charities," while almost every church and four other organizations did charity work independently. One fam- ily was aided by four separate groups, and in another case the "Associated Charity" and a church Charity Organiza- tion became bitter enemies because each claimed a family. The facts in the case were, that one organization was giv- ing aid to the parents, and the other was especially inter- ested in the children. 3. a.' Are records fully, kept? Methods? b.' Is there a confidential exchange with other agencies? Num- ber consulted? 4. Number of persons and kind of assistance given in addition to that of paid workers? 5. a.' What is the number of independent benevolent organizations ? Under what auspices ? Sources of income ? 6. a.' Do any of them receive state aid ? If so, amount received? Under what conditions? b.' Does the state have full control in compelling them to live up to state regulations for such institutions ? Is au- thority enforced ? 7. a.' Is rel'ief given to certain classes only? b.' On what principles is it given or withheld? 8. a.' Amount of money used last year? Number re- lieved? Records kept?, b.' Is there any formal or informal exchange of information between these pri- vate agencies ? 9.. a.' Number of inmates in Almshouse, last year? Cost of maintenance? b.' Are there any restric- tions concerning admission or release? Is record kept of repeaters ? c' Are there any feeble-minded or insane inmates? d.' Are children admitted? Un- der what conditions kept there ? e.' Is there a hos- 56 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS pital ward for chronic cases? 10. Is there a home for the aged, outside of almshouse? 11. Number of inmates? Terms of admission? 12. a.' Are efforts made to determine fundamental causes of poverty and prevent them? b.' What seem to be the chief 'causes of poverty ? C. Outdoor Relief: 1. Is there public outdoor relief? By municipality, county or both ? 2. How is the overseer appointed in each ? Duties, sal- ary, etc. 3. a.' What is the annual appropriation? b.' By whom made ? Basis ? S 4. a.' Is home of each applicant Visited? b.' Are ref- erences outside of family regularly consulted? What is the standard of need and relief? Is there a diet standard; a housing standard for families aided? 5. a.' What is the number of families and of individuals receiving aid last year? b.' Age, Sex, Nativity? c' Occupation of the head of each family affected ? D. Homeless Men: In some communities the problem of homeless men is very large in proportion to the community. The old method of passing them on to the next communit}- is still follovi^ed in some parts of the country ; while in other parts, they are confined to the town lockup, which neither helps the situation nor the men. In some cities the prob- lem of handling men going from house to house . begging, has been met by the associated charities which gives out meal tickets redeemable at the charities office. When a person is approached for food or money for lodging, the man is given a ticket, which he can take to the office. Careful records are kept there, and it has usually proven to be a very satisfactory method. 1. a.' Is there adequate pro\'ision for care of homeless men? b.' Are homeless men generally referred to an organized charity society ? If so, what method is followed? c' Is there a municipal home with proper work test, or is the police station used as a lodging house ? K ^ <3 ^ X § 5 is ^ ^' (A U> CO CO O ei u Q Is] .a o « A .O w 1 <5 1 ■3 -o « ^ s I 2 "" * ■a 'E s -s " = a W § £ S E fei u o K ii; sz; « o ^: 3 .= .E 2 IS 0) g a >. P S 6 .a a f 1 S E •^^ .ft* « CM « 60 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS clubs, commerce Associations, etc.? b.' Do they co- operate for improvement in housing conditions, police adm'ihistration, sanitation and 'other move- ments for General Community improvement, or are their activities confined to the narrower aspects of the specific interest of members? 4. What part does the ministerial association take in civic and welfare movements? 5. In as far as the following concern themselves with welfare work (a^ide from definite work in education, recreation, industry and religion) Give details of each:— a.' Settlements; b.' Y. M. C. A.; c/ Y. W. C. A.; d.' Trade Unions; e.' Labor Unions; f.' Employ- ers Union; g/'Boys and Girls clubs; h.' Churches? 6. Is there any institution which gets in touch with prisoners before and after release? 7. a.' Give number of 'industrial establishments main- taining a lunch room, baths, a meeting room, club room, playground, or settlement house, or a Social Secretary for girls? b.' Do any of them maintain any kind of a welfare agency? Character of each of these ? ■8. Is there a pension fund connected with any of the industrial establishments? What are the conditions? Is free medical aid g'iven ? Any other benefits ? 9. What is the amount paid victims of accidents by manufactures, insurance societies, charity organiza- tions, lodges, mutual aids, etc., in the last two years ? 10. What movements for public betterment and social service are needed in the community? CRIME AND ITS TREATMENT The subject of crime and its treatment has received much scientific study during the past two decades. While crime has always been looked upon as an abnormal condi- tion of society, as anti-social, the offender of social rules and regulations is no longer looked upon as being inher- ently vicious, but rather as a victim of causes, such as heredity, environment and ignorance which have united in causing the crime. This new attitude toward crime has brought about a change in the manner of dealing with offenders, which is not less firm and exacting with regard to his performance of duties, but, is represented by a different attitude toward the offender. The first method of dealing with offenders was retribution, or vengeance, but with- the growth of civilization the attitude became one of deterrance or repression. The present attitude tends toward reformation and prevention. This change in type of punishment has been greatly influenced by: — 1. The great industrial development which has caused a greater interdependence and consequently a better understanding of people living in different planes of society ; 2. Republican ideas of liberty advanced by Montes- quieu, Rosseau and Locke. 3. New notions of the cause of crime were developed. 4. Change in the attitude of religion toward crime. 5. A new classification of society opening the way for an equity of administering the law. Sources of data: 1. Examination of the original records of convictions for juvenile, police, county and supreme courts. 2. Inquiry and discussion with judges, court officials, probation and police officers. 3. Examination of evidence as to truancy. (See Edu- cation). 62 TECHNIQUE OP SOCIAL SURVEYS 4. Personal investigation for verification of records and reports. 5. Make map of district showing distribution of offend- ers, juvenile and adult, location of saloons, places of public and commercialized recreation. (16). (16). Is Crime Increasing? See, Criminal Statistics of the United States; Robinson "Investigation and Crime;" Hourwich, Am. Jour. Soc. 1812; The Criminal, Havelock Ellis, p. 369; Ci^lme and Social Progress, Hall, Chap. I; Responsibility for Crime, Parsons. Classification of Criminals: Criminal Man, Lombroso; The Criminal, Ellis, Ch. I; De- pendents, Defectives and Del'inquents, C. R. Henderson, P. 219; See also, Punishment and Reformation, P. H. Wines; Parmalee; Authopology and in relation to criminal proce- dure; Correction and Prevention, Henderson, C. R.; The Young Malefactor, Trairs; Criminology, Garofalo; Penal Philosophy, Tarde; Making the Criminal, Russell and Riaby. a. Juvenile Delinquency : (See also Juvenile Courts). 1. a.' Offences for which juven'iles were charged durir^j past year? Number of each? b.' Give locality anc surroundings where juvenile delinquencies are most prevalent ? 2. a.' What per cent of delinquents are first offenders? b.' Repeaters? c' Boys? d.' Girls? e.' Number at each age ? 3. a.' Does there seem to be any relation between ju- venile delinquency and lack of playgrounds or other adequate means of recreation ? Give basis for ap- parent reason? b.' Lack of proper supervision of schools, playgrounds, etc.? c' Congestion? d.' What is the physical condition (of juvenile offenders)? Their mental conditions? 4. a.' What per cent have both parents living? b.' Per cent having mothers only ? c' Per cent having father only? d.' Per cent having neither? e.' Per cent illigitimate? f. Per cent parents divorced? fj. What are the general conditions of their homes? 6. a.' Number where father or head of household has regular employment? b.' Skilled? c' Unskilled? 7. a.' Are children employed in the street trades? b.' Character of the trades? c' Number employed in SECURING THE DATA 63 each, by age, sex, and nationality? d.' What legal restrictions are there ? e/ Are they enforced ? 8. Are children ever allowed to work at night in fac- tories or street trades? To what extent? Under what conditions? 9. a.' Are children under fifteen allowed to work with adults of opposite sex? b.' What supervision 'is there of such places? 10. a/ Is the sale of liquor and tobacco to minors under police control ? b.' Is it enforced ? 11. -a.' Is obscene literature circulated? b.' Where ob- tained? c' Do police attempt to control such sale? 12. a.' What is needed to improve conditions? b.' What efforts are being made? b. Adult Crime: 1. a.' Crimes and misdemeanors for which persons were convicted? Annual number convicted for each class? b.' Age? c' Sex? d.' Parentage? 2. Number convictions for each 1,000 population? 3. Number and condition of Municipal, Police, or City lock-ups? Number inmates in each? Conditions of cells? Ventilation? Is there over crowding? Medi- cal attention given? Is v.'ork provided for prison- ers t 4. Number of inmates in County Jail ? What attention is given to the care of convicted persons? Are con- victed and unconvicted persons kept together? Con- dition of Cells? Work provided? Is any kind of instruction given? 5. Is there a State Prison or Reformatory \n Commun- ity? What influence has it on community? State Institutions: 6. a.' Are parole and inderterminate sentence in use? b.' Under what conditions applied? c' Are there probation officers ? d.' Numbers ? e.' Time devoted to work? f.' Number probationers cared for by each ? g.' Do drunks and prostitutes receive the special care they need, when in jail ? 7. What proportion of drunks and prostitutes arrested during past has been arrested on same charge be- fore? Number of times? 8. Are there fines or jail sentences for prostitutes ? 9. a.' Are professional bondsmen allowed to operate in court ? b.' What are their methods ? 64 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS 1. a/ Are prisoners taught a trade while confined? b/ Is it one Which will be of service when they are released? 2. a.' Is contract or lease system used? b.' What goods are manufactured ? c' What pay 'Is received for each prisoner? 3. a.' Is the institution self'supporting, if not, cost to community? b.' What amount is received from the contractors? 4. a. Do the prisoners receive a share in the profits? b. How much ? c/ If not, how much money are they given on their release? 5. Is any effort made to secure employment for dis- charged prisoners? 6. Do dependent families of prisoners receive state aid while prisoner is in confinement? If not, has con- finement of prisoners caused much suffering to any families, by cutting off their income ? 7. What is the total cost for the maintenance of police, courts, and prisoners, as well as the loss through the crimes comm'itted? 8. Is expense of detecting and convicting equalled or excelled by amount expended in creating conditions which will lessen crime ? In many sections of our country the handling and criminals is still in a very primitive and wasteful stage. In many city jails no record is kept of residence of pris- oners, hence it is impossible to tell whether the cases are transients, visitors or citizens. Often no record is kept of first offenders, as it is deemed unimportant by some offic- ials. However, unless, very complete records are kept in regard to such matters, there is little that can be done to remedy conditions. If there is an unusually large percentage of first offend- ers, there is probably some local cause which may be re- moved, or, on the other hand, if there are persons who ]>ersist in committing pett}' offenses, it can be seen that the "usual fine" or jail sentence does not suffice. For example : readers of newspapers will recognize the fol- lowing, which appears again and again: — " ar- rested by at 11:40 Monday night for soliciting, pleaded guilty to that charge when arraigned yesterday SECURING THE DATA 65 morning and was fined $iO, which she paid and was re- leased" ; or " was arrested last night on a charge of disorderly conduct. Being unable to pay the fine, he was given the 'usual sentence.' " This same thing occurs again and again, with the same individuals, thus seeming ly indicating that the "usual sentence" is rather ineffec- tive. Is it not worth trying to put some of these habitual offenders on probation, since this continual arrest, fine or jail sentence and release, to be arrested again, is evidently ineffective ? Frequently city jails are in a most deplorable condi- tion. No one takes any interest in the jail and as a re- sult it is one of the last municipal buildings to be im- proved. The following which is a clipping from a re- port by the writer is typical of conditions found through- out the country, with the exception that often there are only two' or three prisoners insead of the larger number: "How many people have ever seen their City Jail? Surely but a very small number, or our present place of detention would long since have ceased to exist. The number of inmates in the city jail varies. There have been very few days during the past year when there has not been one or more prisoners locked up. At times there have been as many as 34 men in the jail at one time. There are four small cells .5x10 and 10 feet high, with one cot and a 12x12 window, and no toilet or wash bowl. In addition to these there is a "Bull Pen," 18x30 feet, which has a toilet and sink for washing and two 30x30 windows. The women's cells are in a space about 10x30 feet with three or four cots, one toilet and wash bowl and two 30x30 windows. This apartment is separated from the Men's by a heavy sheet iron partition which does not extend entirely to the ceiling, thus making it possible for conversation to pass from one side to the other. Last year at one time there were seven women in this room. 66 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS This prison, located at Avenue and Street, with the office of the police department, City Scales and Associated Charities, all located on the basement floor of the City Hall is about 3 feet below the level of the street. The quarters are crowded and unsan- itary. No regular work is provided the prisoners, hence, except for some occasional work, as cutting weeds, in the summer time, they sit in idleness," While considerable progress has been made with regard to state penitentiaries, as a rule, the county jails and city lock-ups are a disgrace to the community. Too often they are filthy disease breeding institutions, where prisoners sit in idleness and on being turned back upon society are worse physically, mentally and morally than when incar- cerated. Not until the situation is fairly investigated in each community, and the rank and file of the people are made to realize the absurdity of the situation as it exists in the majority of cases, can we hope for any extensive change in the situation as a whole ; but individual local communities will make some changes when their atten- tion is directed to the most pressing needs. III. Recreation and Amusementi : A recreation survey must take into consideration not merely the existing forms of recreation offered, and the opportunities for development along other lines ; but like a survey of every other form of activity, it should seek- out the possibilities and resources offered which are now neglected. In many cities the problem of recreation was hardly considered until recently. As a result, the city has grown up in a compact mass with no provision for playgrounds. Parks may be provided, but often these are at such a great distance from the most thickly popu- lated sections of the city, that it is possible for only a small proportion of the inhabitants to patronize them. Even in some small cities, many schools are without play- grounds, and where they are provided for they are with- out any equipment or supervision. Some cities which had SECURING THE DATA 67 adequate space for playgrounds when city was small, failed to take advantage of it, or as was the case in oni; rapidly growing city, part of the school grounds were sold for commercial and residential purposes, so that there was just enough room for the original building, and when an addition was built:, the land had to be repur- chased. Often the city park is permitted to take on an unkempt appearance, has no equipment, and even though located in the center of the city is unlighted and re- quires a policeman to keep people out of it in the eve- ning. In addition to the outdoor recreation places, both free and commercialized, are the indoor amusements. The dangers attending some of these are far greater than those attending outdoor amusements, and the need of careful supervision is correspondingly greater, though often the attention given is much less. (17). The questions given below are necessarily only sug- gestive, and the investigator will need to extend any of the suggested lines of inquiry as the local situation de- mands. a. General Situation: 1. a'. What are the principal recreations that engage the leisure of the population of your community ? b' Which of these are commercialized? c'. What agencies are there which provide recrea- tion for young people without profits ? d'. For workingmen ? e'. For working women ? f. What is cost of such recreations and amuse- ments ? g'. How are necessary funds secured? h'- Are these advantages made use of by the ma- jority of those for whom they are intended ? b. Playgrounds: 1. a'. What regular playgrounds are there? b'. Area? c'. Amount of supervision? d'. By whom maintained ? e'. Estimated number using them? 2. a'. Extent that unimproved lots serve as play- grounds ? 68 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS b'. What use is made of the streets for playing ball, roller skating, coasting, etc. ? c'. Attitude of the police regarding use of streets? d'. Are streets used by children dangerous? e'. What per cent of people have no other place for recreation, than streets in vicinity of homes? 3. a'. Are schools provided with playgrounds? b'. Can they be used in summer and after school hours ? c'. Are they supervised? d'. Are games part of the work of public schools? e'. Have moving pictures, dramatic performances, etc., been introduced into the public schools? 4. a'. What free park facilities are provided by public or private agencies, or both? b'. Cost of maintenance? c'. Amount of supervision? Equipment? d'. Are they located where needed ? e'. Fare from congested districts? f. What is the general rrloral standing of the vari- ous parks? g'. Are there free concerts held in parks, play- grounds, and schools? h'. What is average number of children using parks ? i'. Average attendance of persons using the parks at the various seasons of year? 5. a'. What commercial amusements are there? b'. Where located? Price of admission? c'. Do they have a desirable influence on patrons? d'. Do they have beer gardens and dance halls con- nected with them? c. Athletics: 1. a'. What athletic fields are there in the community '' Gapies played? b'. Public or private? c'. Nature, extent? d'. How controlled? e'. What proportion of the people may use them ;' f. Are the fields used by the public open every day in the week? g'. If not, what is the reason? 2. What are the gymnasium facilities in the com- munity ? a'. Free to public, location, class using them? SECURING THE DATA 69 b'- Open to public for fee, location, amount of fee ? c'. Open to members only, class admitted to mem- bership, dues? 3. a'. Give number and type of pool and billiard halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks ,etc., in the com- munity ? b'. Is intoxicating liquor sold in connection with ay of these places. b. By what element of the population is each one pa- tronized ? d. Dance Halls and Theaters: 1. a'. Give number of dance halls in community. b'. By whom controlled? c'. Are they run under police supervision? d'. Is liquor sold in connection with any of them? e'. General moral standard? 2. a'. Do any clubs, organizations, etc., give dances which are open to the public at stated intervals ? b'. What is the character of these? c'. Class of population which patronizes them? 3. a'. Give number of theaters: a'. Where regular drama is played? b'. Vaudeville houses? c'. Burlesque houses? d'. Moving picture shows? 4. a'. What is the capacity of each? b'. Average weekly attendance of each? c'. Class of patrons received by each? d'. Most popular type! of entertainment offered, and the moral influence of each of the above ? e'. What remedies would you offer any or each of them? 5. a'. What are the state laws and city ordinances governing play houses and dance halls? b'. Who is responsible for their enforcement? c'. Are they properly enforced? e. Entertainments and Clubs? 1. a'. Are there any public lecture courses given? b'. By what organizations? c'. Character? d'. How attended? 2. a'. Are there any regular public concerts given ia community ? b'. Under whose auspices? 70 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS c'. What type of concert is most patronized?. d'. Does music play an important part as means of recreation in the community ? e'. Are there any local musical organizations? Type of work done? Membership? 3. a'. Are there any local dramatic clubs? b'. What kinds of productions are selected most fre- quently for public entertainments? c'. Membership of such clubs? 4. a'. Are there any boys and girls clubs? b'. In connection with Settlements? With Libra- ries? With Institutional Churches? Number? Membership ? Average Attendance of each ? c'. Is the object of the various clubs anything be- sides being purely recreational and enter- taining ? d'. Under what auspices is club carried on? e'. Requirements for admission? 5. What clubs are for young men and young women' b'. Number? c'. Membership ? d'. Character of club? e'. Requirements for admission? 6. What seems to be the most popular recreation of the various clubs? 7. What is most popular recreation of young people of community? 8. What particular amusements and entertainments are approved and which condemned by the churches ? How do the denominational standards differ? f. Saloons: 1. a'. Is community license or no license territory? b'. If license, ratio number of saloons to population? c'. Method of obtaining license? 2. Are saloons located in resident, tenement, or fac- tory districfs? 3. a'. Are rooms rented in connection with saloons? b'. Are women or children allowed to enter saloons without restrictions ? 4. a'. To what other regulations are saloons sub- jected ? b'. How and by whom are regulations concerning saloons enforced? 5. What is the attitude of the various denominations to the saloon and to drinking customs ? SECURING THE DATA 71 6. a'. Are the meeting places of labor unions, frater- nal orders, other societies, connected with sa loons ? b'. Have they a ladies' parlor? c'. Is there evidence of gambling? d'. By what class are saloons chiefly patronized? 7. a'. Are houses of prostitution allowed or tolerated ? (F I d 5) b'. Segregated? c'. Is solicitation on the streets tolerated by the police ? g. Day of Rest: 1. a'. What forms of business are conducted on Sun day? b'. Any unnecessary? c'. Number of persons employed? 2. a'. What commercialized recreation on Sunday? b'. Is there any effort to close places of recreation? Why? h. Summary: 1. What is the total amount paid out by the city for recreation, as compared with the amount paid out for fire protection, courts, and police? 2. What proposals have you for the improvement of recreation facilities in your community? G. EDUCATION Education is the one activity which is universally rec- ognized as the most powerful r.gent in molding the char- acter of the community. There is perhaps more interest taken in this phase of the social survey than in any other single subject, since there is no other agency in the com- munity which is of such general concern, and which touches so many people in such a direct and effective man- ner. Under the general head "Education," we have included public schools, private schools, libraries, music and art, the press and higher education. I. Public Schools: In, making a study of the public schools of a commun- it\ general factors to be considered are: 72 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS a. Scope, dealing with the educational needs of the community from the point of view of the number of people trained, the extent to which it meets the needs of the community and enforcement of the re- quirements of compulsory education. b. Administration, dealing with the character and or- ganization of the administrative body, expense ot maintenance, budget making and accounting system used, and general policy of the board. c. Efficiency, dealing with the type of work done by the schools, the facilities for handling the number attending, medical inspection, vacation and evening schools, industrial and vocational training and gen- eral efficiency of the teaching force. In order to make a really efficient educational survey, the services of a person familiar with school room admin- istration is necessary. Much of the data will be secured by: 1. A study of the State school laws. 2. Examination of the character and organization of of the local administrative body. 3. Special detailed reports of the School census. 4. Personal visits to the public schools, inspection of their records, and questioning of teachers and pupils, 5. Reports from State Inspector. 6. Truant officer, and general inquiry. Reports of similar studies may be obtained from the De- partment of Surveys and Exhibits, and the Division of Education of the Russel Sage Foundation, 130 E. Twen- ty-second Street, New York. a. Scope: 1. a'. What is the total number of persons of schocl age in community? b'. Total number in school? SECURING THE DATA 73 2. a'. Number of children of school age who are out of school and at work? b'. At what are they chiefly employed? (E II c) c'. Number in school employed outside of school hours ? 3. Total number of illiterates in the community, by age, sex and nationality? 4. Number of foreign bom who can neither write nor read the English language? 5. a'. What number of children leave school before they finish the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades of school? b'. Per cent that finish the first, second, third and fourth year of high school. 6. What are the state laws govem'ing school attend- ance? 7. a'. Is there a truancy department? b'. How is it maintained? c'. Methods of work? d'. Has it legal backing? e'. Number of officers? 8. Do officers receive daily reports from the schools? 9. Is a card index of all children of school age kept in order to trace any who are missing at the be- ginning of the school year? 10. a'. What is tha number of cases investigated last year? b'. Number taken to court? c'. Number sent to truant school? 11. a'. What disposition is made of habitual truants? b'. Are parents ever fined for permitting truancy? 12. Does officer visit and has he power to take into court pupils who are truant from the parochial schools ? b. Administration : 1. '. Are members of school committee appointed or elected at large by subdivisions? Number? b'. Salary? c'. Term? 2. a'. What active committees and what sub-commit- tees ? b'. What have they accomplished? 3. a'. What is the total expense of public education? b'. Whence is the money derived? 74 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS 4. In what proportion is the money divided between teachers, salaries, school maintenance, repairs, and construction? 5. Is accounting up-to-date and efficient? 6. a'. Are books furnished free to pupils? b'. What system of buying and distributing books in use? c. Efficiency : 1. a'. What is the capacity of the different grades? b'. Number of children in each ? 2. a'. Is overcrowding common? b'. What is the average number of pupils per teacher ? c'- Are any ever rejected or unclassified for lack of room ? 3. a'. Special provisions for cripples, feeble-minded, backward and weakly children? b'. What is the method of committment? 4. Are there special classes for foreign children? 5. a'. Is there medical and dental inspection of the schools ? b'. How often are physical tests made? c'. Frequency of eye and ear tests? (D III), d'. Is there moral instruction and supervision of playgrounds ? 6. a'. What is number of school nurses? b'. Number of school visitors ? 7. a'. Number of pupils who repeated their grade last year? b'. What, in opinion of superintendent, is the cause ' c'. What was the per cent of increase of cost, due to repeaters? 8. a'. Are. there vacation schools? b'. Evening schools? c'. How long open each year? d'. Subjects taught? e'. How advertised? f. Are they used by foreigners? 9. a'. Number of kindergartens in the public schools? b'. Number private kindergartens? c'. Are kindergartens maintained in the poorer dis- tricts ? 10. a'. Are manual training and domestic science taught?' b'. In what grades? SECURING THE DATA 75 C. Subjects? d'. Are these subjects part of the school curriculum or optional? 11. a'. What trades are taught? b'. Length of courses ? 12. a'. What industrial or private schools are maintain- ed in the community by either public or private organizations ? b'. Capacity? c'. Work done? d'. Efficiency? ■e'. Cost of maintenance ? f. Source of income, etc.? 13. a'. Number of graduates who have gone into local industries in the last ten years ? b'. Is there any effort to adjust local school to local needs ? 14. a'. What are the requirements for teachers? cer- tificates in each grade? b'. Salary? 15. a'. Are school reports issued regularly, and do they deal with distribution of expenditures, ap- pointments and change of teachers? b'. Do they deal with truancy, school population, number of pupils dropped from rolls, repeaters, absenses, and with comprehensive evidence of the needs of the school ? 16. Are there facilities and rules for reporting class- room conditions? II. Private Schools': 1. a/ Are there any parochial schools in the commun- ity? b.' Number? c' How maintained? d.' Capacity? e.' Number of pupils? f .' Of teachers ? 2. a.' Is the work done the same as that covered by public schools? b.' Does the public school inspector have jurisdiction over them? c' Is the work of as good qual'ity as that done by the public schools? d.' Are foreign languanges spoken? 76 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS 3. Have the teachers qualifications equal to those of public school teachers? 4. a.' What other private schools are there? b.' Give details concerning them? 5. a.' What is the number and type of educational classes in Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. ? b.' What is the attendance ? c' Subjects taught? d.' Class fees? e.' Are the classes limited in numbers ? f/ What groups usually j(Anl 6. Are there any special funds provided by any of the industries for the betterment of the community at large? 7. a/ What organizations are maintaining a lecture course ? Nature ? b/ How well is it attended? 8. a.' Are there any social settlements in the commun- 'ity? b/ Nature of their work? c' How maintained? d.' Are they located where needed? e.' What are their chief educational facilities? 9. a.' Are churches doing educational work outside of parochial schools? b.' If so, under what conditions ? The investigation of the private schools consists in a study of those schools which do work parallel to that done by the public schools, in regard to efficiency as compared with the public schools and the extent of the field covered. While the investigation of the work of the other private schools as Y. M. C. A., institutional churches, settle- ment houses, etc., will consist principally in the scope of their activity. III. Libraries: 1. a.' What is the number of librar'ies in the commun- ity? b.' Number of books ? c' Of readers last year? d.' Hours of service? 2. a.' Are poorer districts provided with library fac- ilities ? SECURING THE DATA 77 b.' How far from most distant point to a public li- brary ? 3. a/ Conditions under which books are loaned? b.' What is method of distributing books to settle- ments, schools, etc. ? 4. Are there private collections at the disposal of the public ? Number, kind, etc. ? 5. Are books on special subjects, notably those pertain- ing to local industries, kept on reserve for workers and students? 6. Are not'ices of new books and other library facilities published regularly? 7. Have libraries juvenile departments? Story hours? 8. a.' Are exhibits held and public lectures given in the library? b.' Do librarians actively aid readers in securing in- formation ? IV. Fine Arts: 1. What advantages has community in lines of art and music ? 2. a.' Are there any clubs or organizations devoted to music or art? b.' Number, membership, requirements for admis- sion, work carried on? 3. a.' Are there any schools of music and of art? b.' Give details ? c' Character and amount of music and art taught 'in the public schools? 4. a.' What is the number of private teachers? b.' Approximate number of persons studying? 5. a.' Are any regular concerts given? b.' Types of music furnished? 6. Are efforts put forth by any organization to educate the public to an appreciation for the best in music and art? 7. Are there any museums or art exhibitions ? b.' Give details? While music and art have a more or less indirect edu- cational influence upon a communuity, the effect of these factors are none the less evident. The music that finds its way into the best of homes is often times positively degrading, not so much in its direct influence as in the fact that it tends to weaken the finer sensibilities. In 78 TECHNIQUO OF SOCIAL SURVEYS spite of all encouragements, the degredation of musical taste among large sections of people, indeed among a vast majority, is a cause for serious concern, and any move- ment or influence which tends to work in the upward direction deserves all the recognition and support it is possible to give. v.. The Press: 1. a.' What is the number of local newspapers? b/ Are there any printed in a foreign language? c' What language? Circulation of each? 2. a.' Are the newspapers in sympathy with civic 'im- provements? What paper takes the lead in re- form movements ? How are its efforts received ? b.' Are they controlled by any special interests, or are they entirely independent? 3. What magazines are most read? VI. Higher Education: 1. a.' Is there any college, normal school, or university in the community? b.' If there is, under what ausp'ices ? c' Give capacity, cost of maintenance, number en- rolled, character of work done, general effect upon community? E. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES While the efforts of the churches and various other re- ligious societies have always been dii"ected primarily to- ward the social and moral betterment of society, the work of the church in regard to definite community welfare work has usually been a spasmodic or temporary uprising to fight some definite evil. Consequenth there has always been a lack of concerted action on the part of the churches. If a definite policy is once arrived at the difficulty arising from lack of co-operation will be largely overcome. 1 8. 1. What is the number of churches in your community? 2. a.' What denominations, creeds, or sects, do they represent ? b.' Any other organizations in community, which supplement the church but which are not con- nected therewith? SECURING THE DATA 79 80 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS 3. a.' What organizations in the community are com- peting with the church ? b/ What is the ethical influence of these bodies? c.' Could churches co-operate with them, or are they opposed to the fundamental principles for which the church stands ? 4. Are there separte churches serv'ing particular na- ' tionalities? 5. a.' Are churches united on all civic questions? b.' If not, on what do they agree and disagree? c/ Why? d.' Which are active with regard to civic improve- ments ? 6. a/ Is there favor in the community toward church federation ? b.' What could be done 'In the community with uni- ted churrhes that could not be done now? c' Why is it impracticable now? 7. a.' Is there opposition to the church in the com- munity ? b/ On what grounds? 8. a/ Is there a ministerial association? b/ Membership ? c' Object? d/ Does it 'include all the ministers of the commun- ity? e.' Does it take an active part in civic movements? f/ In prevention of disease ? g/ In social and moral prophilaxis? 9. To what portion of the community do churches feel they owe obligation? Do they avoid poor districts? 10. a.' What methods are used to attract the different members of the community? b/ Are there classes or groups in the community which are not reached by the churches? c.' Describe them? 11. What additions and changes are needed in the reli- gious activity in your commun'ity? 12. a.' What work are the churches doing outside of their regular religious services? b.' Do their activities extend to those who seem most in need of them, or to their own members only? c' Do churches do any train'ing for actual social work ? SECURING THE DATA 81 82 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS d.' Do all the churches co-operate with the charita- ble societies? If any do not, why not? e.' In what lines are the churches and organizations of the community making the most marked suc- cess? 13. a.' Do differences between churched and non-church- ed and between denominations correspond to so- cial differences? b/ What attitude do the workingmen take toward the church? c' If unfavorable, why ? 14. a.' Membership of the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. ? b.' Number of individuals reached by the activity of each? c' Nature of their various activities and the gen- eral attitude toward them by the community in general ? d.' Character and group of the regular weekly meeting and lectures? 15. a.' What is the total membership in the commun'ity of the churches? Of the affiliated organiza- tions ? b.' Membership of other organizations whose pri- mary object is the religious and moral better- ment of the community? 16. a.' Are all the above agencies united 'in their efforts to rid the town of Saloons and other objectional places where people congregate? b.' What is being done to create an interest in other things not objectionable? 18. See "Sociological and Religious Survey of Seventy Cities" the Presbyterian Board, 156 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. 1912. "Digest of Social and Religious Survey of Br'istol," Pub- lic Library, Bristol, Conn. 1912. Community Study by Warren H. Wilson. Survey for Rural Communities, George F. Wells. INTERPRETATION OF DATA When the social survey of a community has been com- pleted ; when the data concerning the social conditions and activities have been gathered and all the various as- pects of each problem have been carefully compiled the real vi^ork of the survey has just begun. If the survey is to have any value in the community beyond the value of getting a group of people to take stock of their surroundings, the data must be thoroughly analyzed and be the means of determining a constructive policy for the community, to serve as the basis for a pro- gram of development extending over a long period of years. If the survey has been carried out as outlined in the proceeding pages, a large representation of the leading citizens will have formed the nucles for a growing social consciousness, which will continue to be an effective force in the community, if they have a well defined program to follow. However, if nothing definite results from th^ survey and this newly awakened group consciousness 's permitted to die because of no well-defined policy for future activity, all the time and energy spent in making this study of the community will be worse than wasted, notwithstanding the fact that the survey may be scientif- ically accurate. In the future any effort toward con- structive community service will feel the deterring in- fluence resulting from the failure of the Survey to get results. Hence, while a scientific survey would be well v(?orth while without any immediate local results from the standpoint of securing valuable scientific data, the prim- ary object of a survey is to be of benefit to the community in which it is made. The analysis of the data should show the interrelation of the different group activities and the effect of any un- desirable conditions upon the life of the entire group. It should show why some of the existing agencies within 84 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS the community have failed to function to greater effic- iency, and wherein their weakness lies. We cannot stop, however, when we have pointed out the weaknesses of institutions, and the failure of the community to meet its needs. We must show by means of a simple and work- able plan, how these weaknesses may be strengthened and wherein the failure of the past may be turned into future success. Time and patience are important factors in securing any reform, but there are always certain phases of the community life which may be dealt with at once, while the larger problems should be incorporated into the constructive program to be followed during the coming years. Since cities vary so greatly in their general composition and characteristics no single scheme of survey can be drawn up so as to be equally applicable in detail to all communities, but uniformity of method is necessary for clearness and is indispensable for comparison of condi- tions. Without some uniformity, the data gathered in an investigation would lose all of its future comparative and scientific value. The scheme here proposed is framed only as a basis, the details of which may well be modified when applied to widely diversified communities without destroying its worth for making comparisons and for drawing general conclusions. Likewise, the individual questions are meant to be suggestive only and should by the results their answers reveal, lead on to a much more extended inquiry. For example, if the question relating to seasonal employment discloses the fact that a certain community has more than the average amount of seasonal employment, an effort should be made to find some means of relieving that situation and usual attendant conditions. One community in which there were many unemployed men each winter, made a special effort to start classes in the nature of continuation and trade schools with remark- able success. Or, if the statistics show that an unusually SECURING THE DATA • 85 large number of boys stopped attending school at the end of the sixth grade, further investigations should be made to find the reason, and to see how that situation could be prevented in the future. In short, an interpretation of the data collected in the survey should include, ( I ) a careful analysis of the situa- tion as it presents itself; (2) a study of the conditions and activities, both favorable and unfavorable, which have re- sulted in the situations as found; (3) methods of aiding in the development of conditions which are proving favor- able; (4) eliminating unfavorable conditions ; (5) propos- ing a program which will tend to develop a more efficient type of conditions and activities, and which will tend to- ward a greater conservation of energy and elimination of waste. PUBLICITY. No reform movement, nor important change in the com- munity's activities can be forced upon the community from the outside. Anything of permanent worth must come from a desire within the group for such change or reform. By conducting the survey along the lines indicated, a nucles of social consciousness will have been awakened among the leaders of every 'social group and organization within the community. In order to attain the desired results, this consciousness must grow and reach an ever increasing number of indi- viduals, until the rank and file of the community are back of the movement. Before the majority of the members of the community will have the same attitude toward any extensive change or reform, however, they will need to have the same insight into the local situation and the causes back of it, that the group of leaders who have been active in carrying on the survey have. This insight into local conditions and activities and the possibility of improvement and greater efficiency will be reached by the majority of the community, only when they have been given the facts in the matter. That is why, the Publicity Committee has the most important work of the entire survey. The object desired will never be reached b\" having pub- lished one or two formal reports in the newspapers or a formal report in pamphlet form, no matter how valuable such a report may be. While these formal reports have great value, especially for comparative purposes and for the leaders of the various social agencies, the}- must he only a part of the general campaign of publicity which is car- ried on for the benefit of the local community. As stated before, the discussion of the data to be col- lected, the co-operation of the newspapers must be secured SECURING THE DATA 87 to carry on this publicity work successfully. The persons in charge of the newspapers publicity should be experts and have something of interest concerning the survey to publish every day. The newspapers will soon appreciate the news value of the survey stories, and then it will re- quire great tact to know what to give and what is not yet ready for publication. Often by giving a story concern- ing some line of investigation more harm than good will be done in that it will hinder the completion of the investiga- tion, or kill interest in' the matter before a final report is made. When the work has been completed, and the program decided upon, the different projects may be pushed sys- tematically by the newspapers. Carefully prepared tables of statistics regarding the local situation should be made; comparative figures of the situation in other communities ; proposed changes and the results in other communities where the proposed changes have been tried. This newspaper campaign should be supplemented by special meetings at clubs and organizations. The churches should be enlisted in certain aspects of the matter ; certain phases may be successfully presented to the public school children. In fact, every organization in the community should hold a meeting and deal with certain aspects of the survey. At the same time special bulletins and circulars may be distributed, since it is essential that every house- hold, and every individual of the community should be reached by several aspects of the investigation. This concerted campaign of publicity carried on by the newspapers, by bulletins and circulars, and by the public meetings, should gradually prepare the community for the climax of the survey, namely, the Community Institute and Exhibit. Tht entire community should look forward to this Institute, and every effort should be put forth to make it worth while. Prominent workers and lecturers should be secured in order to crystalize the social con- TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS sciousness which has been growing. The results of the data collected should be prepared in a clear and convinc- ing manner for the exhibit, by means of maps, charts, and exhibits of all the various phases of community life as in- dicated under each phase of this outline. The different problems discussed by the newspapers and at thhe numer ous meetings, are all graphically represented here. If this Exhibit had been prepared without the extensive prelimi- nary campaign, the proportion of the population coming to the exhibit and institute would be relatively much smaller, and the amount of material presented would be confusing to those who did come. Hence, it is extremely important that a very well planned publicity campaign be carried on in order that the interest of the entire commu- nity will center around the Community Institute, or "Know your City Week," when the results of the survey will be presented, and the immediate necessities and future possibilities are outlined. THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM A Community, like an individual will "learn to do by doing." The leaders in the investigation of any commu- nity may see a great idealistic future before them, and the program outlined for the next decade should be in the di- rection of this ideal. But the immediate program, that phase of the future of the community vi'ith which the ma- jority of the people will be interested, and the only phase in which their active interest can be secured must deal with those problems which effect them directly, and which can be met at once by co-operative effort. Problems relating to the health, convenience and com- fort of the community ; the specific problems of housing, sanitation, disposal of the city's waste; the improvement of the water supply or milk spply ; and many otoher con- crete problems dealing with "^conditioning phenomena" of the community will hold the interest of the rank and file of the people, and by getting them to take an active part in meeting some definite community problem, they will be trained to carry on more subtle and complex com- munity problems. A new and broader social consciousness will have been created which will be prepared to meet any problem of the community which may arise. If the problems of the community are outlined in too general terms, or if the greater community problems are put in the foreground, • the average member of the com- munity will fail to understand it because of its complexity, or, feel that the problem is too idealistic to waste his time upon it. On the other hand, if the more simple, concrete problems are set forth, for the immediate program, and the greater problems for the subsequent program, the average citizen will take active part, and "learn to do by doing." * See, Hayes, E, C, Introduction to Sociologp, Page 24. 90 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS When the community has once taken concerted action on any proposition, and realized their strength, they will on their own accord take up other matters, provided the need for action along other lines has been shown. Conse- quently the problem of the survey is among other things to find the needs and the possibilities of a given community and with this knowledge at hand, a constructive program for a considerable period of years should be worked out. The problems to be met should deal first, with the more pressing needs, which can be met with comparatively little exertion on the part of the majority, and lead on from one problem to another, to' the more concrete problems which require the support of an enlightened community, possess- ing a clearly defined social consciousness, trained to service by successfully meeting some of the more simple commu- nity problems. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY. Aronovici, Carol. Knowing One's Own Community. 7 7 P. Boston, American Unitarian Society. The Social Survey. 255P. The Harper Press, 1916. Bailey, L. H. Survey Idea in Country Life Work. 21 P. Ithaca, N. Y. 1911. Blackmar, F. W. Purpose and Benefits of Social Surveys, Kansas Municipalities, Vol. i. No. 10, Sept. 1915. Burgess, E. W. Social Survey Exhibits. Kan. Mun. Vol. i. No. 10, 1915- Bran ford, V. V. "The Sociological Survey" The Sociological Review, April, 1912. Byington, M. F. What Social Workers Should Know About Theii Own Communities. Charity Organ. Depart- ment. Russell Sage Coundation, 1915. Carroll, C. E. Community Survey in Relation to Church Efficiency, N. Y. Abingden Press, 1915. Daniels, John. Social Survey; its reasons, methods and results. Proceedings Nat'l Conference Charities and Correc tions. 1910. 92 TECHNIQUE OF SOCIAL SURVEYS Elmer, Manu-i-. C. Social Surveys of Urban Communities, Menasha, Wis. Banta Publishing Co. 1914. Fisher, F. B. and Others. (the) Way to Win. N. Y. Laymen's Missionary Movement o fthe Methodist Church. 191 5. Galpin, C. J. Methods of Making a Social Survey of a Rural Com- munity. Madison, Wis. 191 2. Galpin, C. J. and Davies, G. W. Social Surveys of Rural School Districts. Madison, Wis. 1914. GiLLIN, J. L. Application of the social survey to small communities. Proceedings American Sociological Society Pro- ceedings. 191 1. Social Survey and Its Further Development. In American Statistical Association Publications. N. S. Vol. 14, Sept. 1915. Hayes, Edward C. Classification of Social Phenomena. American Journal of Sociology. Vol. 17, 191 1. Harrison, S. M. Development of Social Surveys. N. Y. Russell Sage Foundation. 191 3. Henderson, C. R. Catechism for Study of Social Organizations, D. C. Health & Co. 1894. Kellogg, P. U., Harrison, S. M. and Others. Social Survey. N. Y. Russell Sage Foundation. 1912. SECURING THE DATA 93 Milwaukee, (wis.) Bureau of Economy and Efficiency. Bulletins No. 1-19. Milwaukee 1911-12. Palmer, Dr. George. "Survey of Small Cities" World Today Vol. 21, Page 828, 191 1. Riley, T. J. Sociology and Social Surveys (in American Journal of Sociology. Vol. 16, May, 191 1.) Small and Vincent. Introduction to the Study of Sociology. N. Y. 1894. Taft, a. B. Community Study for Country Districts. N. Y. Missionary Education Movement of the U. S. and Canada. Wells, G. F. Social Survey of Rural Communities. i50-5th Ave. N. Y., 1912. Wilson, W. H. Community Study for Cities. N. Y. Missionary Movement of the U. S. and Canada.