* UMASS/AMHERST * 312066 0344 2752 1 JUNE, 1916 Bulletin of the University of Georgia VOL. XVI Number 9 Peabody School of Education ivic Go-operation in Community Building cnrered at the Post Office at Athens, Ga., as Second Class Matter, August 31, 1915, under Act of Congress of July leth, 1904. Issued Monthly by the University. Serial Number 262 LIBRARY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE SOURCE (TZ-.^-X ' HT 423 ■ G4 This book may be kept out TWO WEEKS only, and is subject to a fine of TWO CENTS a day thereafter. It will be due on the day indicated below. W'Ud. CARD Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Boston Library Consortium IVIember Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/civiccooperation1901univ Civic Co-operation in Community Building A BRIEF MANUAL OF COMMUNITY WORK AND STUDY Presented by RICHARD M. ANDERSON HARRY S. JENNINGS HARRY M. ARNOLD ROBERT J. MARSHBURN SAMUEL C. BLUMENTHAL LOUIS K. MARTIN ALONZO P. BOARDMAN LOUIS PESSIN HERBERT E. BUFFINGTON WILLIAM A. RICHBOURG RALPH B. HOSCH LAURENS L. TIMMONS Members of Education 9 With an lutroduotion for the Glasses in Educational Sociology by HOWARD W. ODUM Published with the Co-operation of THE ATHENS WOMAN'S CLUB AND THE CLASSES IN EDUCATIONAL SOCIOLOGY THE PEABODY SCHOOL OF EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA Preface for the Athens Woman's Club. Most of us desire to do something to make our communities better. At best voluntary efforts are limited; often they may not be planned efficiently. And yet it cannot be doubted that we can accomplish much in social welfare and service by extended efforts and efficient methods. To extend, therefore, our efforts and to direct them effi- ciently is the logical and earnest desire of every enthusiastic woman's club member. Every step in this direction will be iwelcomed by us. As one means to such an end and as an example of the sort of co- operation which we recommend, the Athens Woman's Club cooperates gladly with this class of students at the University of Georgia in presenting a little manual of civic cooperation to the public. We wish to commend it especially to the Women's Clubs in Georgia with the hope that it may offer some timely information and' some sugges- tions of value. MRS. THOMAS F. GREEN, President. MRS. HOWARD W. ODUM, Chairman Civic Section. Introduction. is-' This brief manual of civic cooperation is presented with two funda- mental considerations in mind: 1. That a community government cannot meet community needs adequately without civic cooperation. 2. That the life of the average citizen is neither complete nor ef- ficient without some knowledge of community needs and some part in community service. These truths are being expressed more and more in present-day convictions. On the one hand, they are reflected in the tendencies to- ward civic cooperation and a civic conscience, and on the other hand, in the demand of the public for efficiency in governmental services. Furthermore, in conformity to these tendencies — ^measured hy the best indications at hand — two fundamental assumptions seem justi- fied: 1. The average efficient community government welcomes citizen aid and cooperation of the right sort. 2. The average efficient citizen welcomes the opportunity to aid and cooperate with his official government. This two-fold viewpoint of government and citizen is further reflect- ed in the purpose of this Bulletin. One object of civic study and civic effort is found in the educational function of training gooid citi- zens and developing the social nature; the other is found in the desire to obtain results in actual work done, in efficient service rendered, and in resulting social welfare. The Bulletin makes further assumptions. It is understood that knowledge of community government and community needs is a pre- requisite to community service. Knowledge of ways and means of civic cooperation is essential to successful results. The citizen takes up the work where his official representative leaves off; and the government represents the citizen stock-holder in those functions be- yonid his domain. The students of this class, therefore, have pre- sented, first, a statement of what constitutes legitim^ate municipal services, and, subsequently, some of the many aspects of civic cooper- ation. It should be understood further, that efforts of citizens are to be fair, sincere, and honest; well balanced and intelligent; and that they shall not include primarily elements of personal notoriety, selfish agrandisement, muck raking, or tendencies to interfere with or to usurp potwers of government. A wholesome and well informed patriotism is essential. Two other considerations are of special importance; the one relat- ing to the teaching of civics in the schools, and the other to the mak- ing of community surveys. Concerning the first, emphasis should be placed upon the nev/er sort of civics which teaches not only the ele- ments of civil government but also the other very important half relating to citizen support of government. Concerning the making of community surveys emphasis should be placed upon both the need and value of such surveys and also upon the dangers of unwise or un- scientific surveys. The tendency to "survey" has become almost a fad and proper judgment and training should be prerequisites of the surveyors. There should be, furthermore, efforts toward uniformity or standardization of studies; toward scientific methods that use ob- jective uiijits of measurement rather than mere impressions and opin- ions; toward comprehensiveness and true perspective; and toward accuracy and precision. In justice to the students presenting the Bulletin it should be ex- plained that the substance of the paper represents the composite work of the class, together with some results obtained by the class of previous years. Each student has 'done his pro-rata work and the to- tal report has been accepted by the class. Letters and questionnaires were sent out to a large number of those in a position to give the de- sired information; the literature on the subject was examined with some care; and the teachings of the classes in educational sociology have been embodied to some extent. Special emphasis is placed upon the ideal of cooperation and the thanks of the class, as well as the public and! the University are due the Athens Woman's Club for gen- erous cooperation and interest. As an example of student interest in public service and of cooperative efforts, it is hoped that the Bulle- tin will be of practical value to a large number of those interested^ in community building. HOWARD W. ODUM. Athens, June 4, 1916. CHAPTER I. The Scope of Municipal Services. THE CITY-BUILDING— COUNTRY-SERVING MUNICIPALTY. A brief survey of the field of municipal services to be rendered by the city to its citizen-stockholders, to its supporting rural constituency, and to all those within its gates, constitutes the first task of the stu- dent of civic cooperation. The Scope and Purpose of This Division. This division of the manual is presented as a simple, yet compre- hensive, statement of the scope of social services which the citizen may expect of the present-day efficient city government and concerning which it is the privilege and duty of the average citizen to become informed. The plan to present the paper in this form grew out of the experience of a group of student-citizens starting with little knowl- edge of municipal services, working earnestly for several weeks upon varied and general and specific problems, and finding considerable satisfaction in the resulting knowledge of what constitutes the social services rendered by the city to its citizens. From observation and study, and from the testimony of those in a position to know, it seems fair to assume that the average citizen belongs to the same class as this group of students, namely having only a very partial knowledge of the home city and its functions and at the same time desirous of acquiring more information without the necessity of going exhaust- ively into a study of city government and social conditions. That the citizens should keep informed upon such matters is clear from several self -evident considerations: in order to appreciate the problems and responsibilities resting upon the officials chosen; in order to appre- ciate the problems and responsibilities resting upon the private indi- vidual; in order to be able to co-operate intelligently with the official government; in order to exercise intelligently the rights of publicity toward public acts and officials; and in order to guarantee self, or any taxpayer the maximum amount of taxes with the maximum amount of economy and efficiency in the expenditure of tjie public funds. No matter what the form of government, this is the first es- sential of progress and improvement in social welfare for the city. To apply this information to a specific locality is to make its value two-fold. Social Service — Economy and Efficiency — The City. Perhaps there is no tendency in modern times so clearly defined and so steadily progressing as the tendency toward social service. This means simply that in the fields of Education, Science, Politics, Reli- gion and in fact, in the major portion of social life, the fact has been recognized that the highest efficiency and the greatest servicfe achieved by the individual will be found in service to society and fel- lowman, in terms of moral sanction it means that they who live unto themselves live in vain; in terms of social efficiency it means that the individual who neglects the development of his social nature, or who grows rich upon his fellows to their hurt, or who uses the public moneys for his own gain, is the greatest of social offenders. This state of social consciousness has been brought about by progress in society through the increasing importance and interdependence of social relationship together with the higher development of social personality. Social relationships and the obligations of social service are most clearly defined in the modern city which represents at once the most advanced and most complex form of civilization the world over. Be- cause of the concentration of population; of the predominance of sec- ondary occupations and the massing of industry; of the interdepend- ence of the population (with its ever increasing relationships; and of the other various outgrowths of city life, the social :fesponsibility has increased a hundred fold. From these conditions have arisen new and larger problems of administration; of health, safety, convenience and education; together with the manifold problems of general social welfare. From these, again have arisen increased opportunities for expert service and increased demands for (business government and or- ganization. In the city responsibility for the public welfare has taken the form of accountability of government and government officials for economy and efficiency in the expenditure of public funds, and of accountability of private citizens for support in this undertaking. By economy we may mean simply the careful, scientific and iwell-planned expenditure of money for the definite purposes and services for which funds are provided; by efficiency we mean primarily the adequate meeting of social needs within the prescribed limits of city govern- ment is co-operation with private support. How true this is and how important to the welfare of all the people will appear from an exam- ination of the scope of municial social service. The Scope of Municipal Services. The forms of organization differ (widely in different cities; the service departments artd divisions are almost as numerous as the cities themselves. But the fundamental services of the city to its constit- uency are the same in general for all cities, means for meeting these needs varying often according to local conditions. The principal mu- nicipal services may be classified in the following divisions: General administration; city planning; public works; public health; sanitation and housing inspection; charities; corrections; public safety; public education; financial organization; civic uplift and general social serv- ices; private services in the municipality; and services to the rural communities adjacent. The story of what is included in each of these will be told in a brief outline of principal topics under each division the summary of which will give the complete story of the city's serv- ices. General Administration. That the general administration and government of a corporation spending thousands, hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars is a most important service, requiring great responsibility and efficiency, is not infrequently overlooked when this corporation happens to be the city government of all the people. And yet this is precisely the most particular of all chartered corporations for the people. The general administration not only means supervising the enactment of all services but includes many important special branches. There is 6 the legislative branch with its council, board of aldermen, or com- missioners, together with clerks therefor; there is the executive branch with the mayor, manager, superintendent or other head of the government with his executive boards and commissions, with the treasurer or chamberlains, and with the solicitors or other legal ad- visors; there is the judicial branch with such municipal courts, justice courts or other courts and coroners, together with sheriffs and mar- shals, as do not belong to special departments; and finally the election of officers and the upkeep and management of government buildings and properties belonging to the people. It is worth something to the administration officials to know that the people whom they serve are acquainted with the duties being performed. City Planning. The scientific planning for the present and future of the city con- stitutes as much a part of its services as do carefully made plans for the success of any business organization; and more because it involves the welfare in life, health and comfort of many more people than any private organization. Therefore it is of the utmost importance to plan for recreational facilities in parks arid playgrounds; for transportation facilities in the location and construction of lines and terminals; in the direction and expansion of streets; in factory facilities with ref- erence to segregation and enlargement; for workmen's homes with reference to the welfare of the city and the workmen; and for both civic and industrial centers with reference to general civic and indus- trial efficiency. It is not enough to allow the city to grow up without recreation; to allow the street car companies to select routes and the railroad terminals; to allow the proprietors of factories to plan only for their own gain; or even for the landlord to ignore the rights and wishes of the laboring classes within the city. Planning ahead not only brings future efficiency and welfare but prevents untold waste of time, energy arid money with the consequent ills of maladjustment. It is therefore good business. Public Works. Under the division of public 'works are the highways with their construction, inspection and maintenance; with the cleaning and sweeping of streets and the accompanying organization and manage- ment of labor; and finally with the disposition of sweepings and street garbage and other waste. Next are the sewers, with the construction and maintenance and the disposal of sewage, and of course the or- ganization and mangement of labor. Next are the public utilities, such as the publicly owned (water and light plants, with their con- struction and maintenance arid all public buildings or other property. Within the field of public works the American city in the past has been in many cases noted for its inefficiency and waste; and no field perhaps would repay a careful study more than this. Public Health. The public health department should begin with a public health pro- gram. The list of public health services comprises medical inspection service, to control contagious diseases; hospital services; food inspec- tion service; meat inspection service; milk inspection services; infant welfare services; laboratory services; and finally statistical services. Failure to control contagious diseases is responsible for a large part of health inefficiencies; failure to provide inspection of foods is a most common neglect; failure to provide specially for infant (welfare work in the summer results in the death from preventable causes of hundreds of little children; failure to provide adequate laboratory services cripples service in most of the divisions of health work; and a failure to provide statistical services results in the city having no standard or record by which to measure its work or progress. Sanitation and Housing Inspection. Sanitation is the prevention work looking toward health efficiency and includes inspection of congested areas, disposal of garbage and sewage, and the general cleanliness of the city and includes the san- itary inspection of houses and premises and plumbing. The supervis- ion of buildings includes the plans of construction and plumbing for both sanitation and safety, and construction and inspection of build- ings with reference to fire prevention. Such supervision may also in- clude provisions in accord with model building plans and regulation in accordance (with city planning as already outlined. Public Charities and Corrections. The demands upon the city for charity services fall into two general divisions; those having to do with charities within institutions support- ed by the city, that, is, indoor relief; and those having to do with charities administered in the home of the needy, that is our-door relief. In the smaller cities charities are almost entirely outdoor, local or county almshouses taking care of the other needs. In connection with the charity services which the city may render two other aspects are important: the first has to do -with relief by prevention, through city planning, employment bureaus, insurance and savings system, juve- nile agencies and others; and the second has to do with the efficient co-operation 'with private charities and philanthropy, this itself con- stituting an important, and in many cases, the principal means of charity work by the city. Services relating to corrections are those having to do with prisons, penitentiaries and reformatories, together with the criminal courts, juvenile courts and other modes of dealing with offenders, especially youthful offenders. Than the problem of corrections there is perhaps no single service to be rendered of more far-reaching significance. Public Safety. The public safety of the city is commonly considered under the two heads, the services being classified into police protection and fire pro- tection. The police department has varied obligations to perform, in- cluding its own efficient organization and control, the training and equipment of officers and recruits and effective rules and regula- tions governing safety service. It has in addition to the vigilance for criminal offenders the regulation and control of street traffic, transportation and the use of streets; the special assignment of the control of vice, and efficient methods for the detection of harmful forces through secret and other investigations. The police depart- ments in American cities have been specially subservient to politics and graft, in which they have retarded the progress of cities. The fire department has not only to perform its duty of fire fighting, 8 through which it must have an efficient organization and administra- tion, but it must also take special steps toward fire prevention. Through this latter service a new efficiency awaits the redirected fire forces. Public Education. Public education in this classification is largely the public schools and would seem to be self-explanatory. And yet the services to be rendered by the public schools, with the accompanying complex prob- lems of administration, are far greater than any practical conception ordinarily held by the citizen. These services include the efficient organization and administration of the school system both from without and within; the problem of selecting efficient teachers with- out the rule of politics; the problem of equipment of teachers; the problem of selecting a practical curriculum with varied courses of study; the problem of grading and classification of school children; the problems of retardation and the problem of special schools, night schools, vocational schools, co- operative schools, schools for defective and all others; the problem of the health of the child with adequate medical inspection; the problem of the general school hygiene, including the buildings and grounds, the heating and lighting, ventilating and seating, sanitation and com- fort; the large problem of recreation and playgrounds; the problem of the wider use of the school house for social services to the com- munity; the problem of citizen and patron co-operation; and with all these and many others, comes the specific problems of utilizing mon- eys, the supply department itself constituting a considerable business; and the efficiency of all these services will depend largely upon the great problem of selecting and organizing the board of education, this having constituted for many years the greatest of administration problems. What a tremendous field for citizen co-operation and civic service! Public Recreation. Recreation has well been calleid the physical basis of social organi- zation, and yet most communities pay little special attention to or- ganized recreation. The large cities are notable exceptions, recog- nizing public recreation as a fundamental aspect of city government. A proper recreational system will provide for parks, large and small; for playgrounds and organized play; for the perfection of the school play system; for social centers; and for the supervision of all public recreational places. Financial Organization. The financial methods obtaining in the city administration may con- tribute much to the efficiency or inefficiency of municipal services. Among the most important of these services is that of budget making, in which the program of the year is too often marred instead of made. Important alongside the budget making is the system of accounting including office accounts, cost accounts, operative records, forms of reporting, filing systems, mechanical aid and general facility in keep- ing books for the public. Poor bookkeeping is no more justified in the public's business than elsewhere, but rather less justified. Important also is the method of financing public improvements; while the meth- ods of assessing and collecting revenue constitute a tremendous task for public services. Nowhere more than here is the demand for effi- ciency and business government more apparent and urgent. Constructive Civic Uplift. More and more the modern city is recognizing its general obligation to perform as many social services, other than the technical and me- chanical duties of city government, as possible consistent with cir- cumstances. Among these services are the public libraries and read- ing rooms; the civic centers; the supervision of weights and meas- ures; the organization and administration of the city markets; the in- spection of food supplies; civil service and pension services to em- ployees; and many other similar efforts. That there will be found a means and an avenue for increased efficiency and social service in these civic efforts cannot be doubted. Private Services. And yet with all the formal and organized services of the city, com- plete efficiency is not possible without the thorough co-ordination of official with private services. Co-operation with the churches; with the hospitals; with the charities; with the women's clubs; with all civic clubs; with private educational institutions or public institutions other than city; with chambers of commerce or other booster organi- zations; and with all other private resources. Civic education and civic consciousness are synonymous with these efforts which are in turn co-ordinate with formal municipal services. Services to the Rural Community. But the city must not only be city-building within its own domain, but country-serving in its services toward the surrounding communi- ties upon whom it depends for support and expansion. This is true both for its own perpetuity and welfare and it is also true from the higher obligations of social service to society. In this capacity the city can aid, in more or less degree and in varying ways, the rural districts by increasing efficiency in farming; in merchandise and ex- change; in transportation; in communication; in rural finance; in bet- ter co-operation and organization; in health and sanitation; in a'dding to the sQcial satisfactions of country life; in aiding the rural church; the rural school; in general civic education and publicity; in promot- ing the welfare of country womanhood; the country home and family; the beautification of the country; in the recognition of rural leader- ship and rural values; in building up communities and in promoting co-operation with governmental functions. How the farm demonstra- tor, the educational leaid'er, the road expert and many others sent by the city have made over the rural districts is now matter for record. That every city must consider this aspect of its services is synonymous with the assertion that every city wishes to grow and to provide ef- ficient services for its people. No greater opportunity has been over- looked than this. An Efficiency Score Card. To what extent our cities are measuring up to the standards out- lined, constitutes our problem, both of study and of constructive plan- ning. An attempt is being made to formulate an efficiency score card 10 for the ideal American city, so that cities in their present stage of efficiency and in their planning for future social service may have a uniform basis upon which to work. It is necessary that this uniform standard conform to the latest word upon the subject. Such a score card has not yet been satisfactorily formulated, but the hope is ex- pressed that in a short time it may ibe approximateid'. For the present the efforts to measure social Mficieney will have to be limited to three or four means. First, statistics gathered by the United States census in financial statistics of cities give us a com- parative basis as measured by expenditure for governmental services. Under this division two averages are taken, the first for cities having from 30,000 to 50,000 people, the goal set for Athens within the next two decades, and second, the average for all cities in the country. A second method of attempting a standard measuring scale will be found in summarizing the best of the research, study and practices in this country and abroad, and selecting therefrom the standard of excel- lence in each of the several service divisions. A third method will be found in the expert testimony of city planning experts, business man and organizations, students of government and social science and other specialists, the method to provide a census of relative gradings in the total scheme of 100 per cent to be given to each of the impor- tant divisions already outlined. The composite or average from all these ratings would constitute a progressive program of work. 11 CHAPTER 11. Aspects of Civic Co-operation. Brief Suggestions as to the Scope of Voluntary Civic Efforts. The twentieth century m'arks a new achievement in democracy and government. This achievement consists not only, as may be under- stood ordinarily, in the improved organization and structure of demo- cratic government, but also essentially in the growth of community building through citizen interest, cooperation, and representation in community government. A new field, a new opportunity, and a new vision, with pr'actical difficulties and practical achievements, await the citizen of today and tomorrow. In the task of community build- ing and community patriotism, the citizen of today may realize goals unknown to the citizen of yesterday. And in the consideration of this task, there are many viewpoints from which the citizen may work, the majority of them onstituting (ample evidence of the status and needs of civic co-operation in commonity government. It may be that the viewpoint is that of: 1. Patriotism, or love of community, with its elements of pride and loyalty; the desire to build a more prosperous community; the desire to make a better place in which to live; the desire to make a stronger unit in the total fabric of state and government. 2. The citizen-stockholder, realizing the responsibility and rights involved in the successful management of the greatest and most im- portant of all corporations, through business methods in government; economy and efficiency in the expenditure of the public funds and in the maintenance and promotion of the public welfare. 3. The social nature, with enthusiasm, vigor and qualities capable of serving one's fellow man through the principles and practice of vitalized Christianity. 4. The professional social worker, believing that philanthropy and voluntary efforts of citizens ought to be scientifically studied and ad- ministered. 5. The leisure-class citizen, desiring to expend profitably for self and community surplus time and money in the promotion of the public weal. 6. Respect for government and organized efforts; respect for lavi? and order and for the personality and rights of others. 7. The scientific study and surveying of the community and human interests, insuring adequate knowledge for right action. 8. The correlation and utilization of all institutions, organizations and forces in the community, through intelligent co-operation. 9. Better town — and city — ^building for the sake of commercial growth and expansion and general economic welfare. 10. The new education for social efficiency; for the teaching of more civics in the schools; of developing a better citizenship adapted; for giving to the public a comprehensive information. 11. The larger social ideal, or sociological aim, of developing a better social personality; a better social organization; a more vital- ized democracy; in fine one step toward the maximum social progress and human welfare. But whatever the viewpoint may be, there are adequate means and 12 avenues for the expression of normal civic co-operation. The simple enumeration of the majority of specific ways and means of voluntary citizen efforts would constitute an object lesson and, in it- self a good sized volume* The object of this second chapter is, there- fore, simply to suggest, rather than to present in any sense an ex- haustive outline, a few of the practical aspects of voluntary co-opera- tion in community building that now constitute the story of civic co- operation in American communities. The chapter is partly repetition and overlapping, as related to Chapters I and III, but the repetition is consistent with the plan of presentation. Each chapter seems es- sentiol to the grasp of the entire subject, and all taken together indi- cate a classification of the larger field of social research and study. For those who are in search of something to do, an examintation of the following topics and of the subsequent questions and suggestions will prove fruitful; further search into the books listed will give dtill more suggestions; and for the most part, if undertaken in the rip^ht spirit and with the right knowledge, all efforts will be welcomed by the government officials in charge, and by public opinion at large. General Administration and Finance. Citizen inquiry into facts and procedure; citizen expert aid to offi- cials; vigilance as to election and nomination of officers; citzen ad- visory service; citizen research and publicity; through bureaus of mu- nicipal research; economy and efficiency commissions; national and local municipal leagues; voters leagues; political clubs; societies for the study and promotion of good government; committees of one hun- dred; of fifteen; of seventy, etc.; academic or scientific societies; civil service committees or commissions; taxation committees; and gen- eral accounting or business organizations of whatever sort. Exhibits, surveys, publicity, campaigns,, budget making, co-operiation. City Planning. 'Citizen interest and inquiry into future needs of the community; preservation of grounds, trees and other natural resources; preserva- tion of spaces and avenues for expansion; obtaining properties for reiasonable expenditures; prevention of congestion; extension of roads and streets; promotion of the beautiful; planning of housing commu- nities; planning for factory districts; planning for wholesale trades; perfection of workingmen's homes. Through municipal improvement associations; city planning committees; city-beautiful leagues; play- ground associations; garden associations; workingmen's clubs; wo- men's municipal leagues; local organizations of whatever sort. Sur- veys, exhibits, conferences, publicity, co-operation. Public Works. Citizen interest and aid in establishing adequate and satisfactory communication; transportation; public utilities; elimination of waste and' graft; economy for the public satisfactions and comforts; effi- ciency in public service. Through good roads committees; good roads days; street improvement associations; national highway commissions; engineering societies; building associations; citizens inquiry com- mittees; co-operative woi'k-together societies; other organizations of whatever sort. Surveys, exhibits, demonstrations, publicity, con- ferences, special days, co-operation. 13 Public Health. Citizen interest in a community program to banish disease and build up an enviable health record; better hospital facilities; fewer contagious diseases; fewer infant deaths; better vital statistics. Through visiting nurse associations; physicians' clubs; baby saving campaigns; societies for the prevention of disease; milk and ice funds; dispensary and medical distribution. Campaigns, exhibits, clinics, instruction, special days, propaganda, publicity, co-operation. Sanitation and Housing. Citizen interest in a clean city; in the elimination of dirt and filth and ugliness; the prevention of disease; clean streets; clean back yards; clean vacant lots; elimination of the fly and mosquito; better housing conditions; better water supply; better drainage. Through housing associations; visiting associations; relief associations; civic clubs; city improvement associatons. Special days; clean up days; exhiWts; propoganda; instruction; co-operation with school; study and surveys, publicity. Charities and! Corrections. Citizen interest in a normal population; the eliminiation and helping of defectives, dependents and delinquents; relief for the needy; pre- vention of vice and crime; correction for the curable; welfare for the people. Through associated charities; homes and hospitals; juvenile corrective and protective associations; big brother movements; clubs for boys and girls; work and help for the aged; visiting associations; juvenile courts; and literally hundreds of methods of charity. Con- tributions; supervision; visiting; following up work; study; earnest- ness; direction. Public Safety. Citizen interest in making the community a good place in whcih to live; elimination of crime and vice; elimination of bad influences; elimination of unnecessary loss by fire; safety first and always. Through police commissions; societies for the prevention of vice; societies for protection of family; prison commissions; societies for protection of children; safety-first societies; fire prevention societies. Study; propaganda; publicity; punishment; cooperation. Public Recreation. Citizen interest and help in making a wholesome and joyous com- munity; utilization of leisure time; directed play; helpful amuse- ments; physical and mental welfare; a better race of citizens. Through recreation committees; playground associations; Story tell- ers' league; dramatic associations; social center committees; music and festival associations; park commissions. Through play; drama; pageantry; garden and playground exhibits; social centers; festivals; lecture-centers; organized recreation. Public Education. Citizen interest in the schools; cooperation with teachers and boards; improvement of the school plant; efifciency in correlating school and homej improvement of school sentiment; larger opportuni- 14 ties for school work; better attendance. Through home and school leagues; public education associations; parent-teacher associations; school visitors; kindergartens; medical inspection visitors; school garden associiations; pedagogical associations. Visiting; study; con- tributions; school lunches; exhibits; cooperation. Miscellaneous. Child welfare in particular; more than three hundred organizations for better children; for defectives; delinquents; dependents; moral and religious, recreative; protective. Conferences; exhibits; clubs; camps; clinics; fresh air homes; nurseries; schools. Other general opportunities; housewives' leagues; consumers* leagues; societies for the prevention of cruelty; library associations; labor associations; historical societies; child labor committees; church societies; Y. M. C. A.; Y. W. C. A.; special homes . . . Civic leagues; booster's clubs; commercial clubs; manufacturers' associations boards of trade; ro- tary clubs. Other suggestions will be found in the following pages. In the study of the opportunities offered; in the giving of time to education and civic uplift; in the endowment of institutions; and in the allegiance to Church and other institutions, the public spirited citizen may find all that his or her hands can do. Whether rural or urban, the need is apparent and the outlook and will were never so encouraging as at the present time. 15 CHAPTER III. Toiiics and Questions For Practical Community Studies. SUBJECTS PRIMARILY URBAN. City or Town Planning. Make a brief report on the history of the growth of your town. Outline a plan for the next ten years' growth, keeping in mind parks, playgrounds, streets, and' other essentials as outlined below. 'Make a study of the homes of workingmen in the town, with refer- ence to location, conveniences, and service rendered. Outline a plan for a civic center in the town. Write the story of a year's recreational activities. Describe the factory locations and draw up plans for the location of future factories. Public Works and Utilities. Draw a map showing the principal streets of the town. Make a study of the condition of all, or parts of city highways. Describe the organization and procedure of the street cleaning force in the town. Make a study of the sanitation of the city as found in the mainte- nance and construction of sewers. Outline the most sanitary and economical methods for the disposal of sewage. Outline a plan for the public ownership of light, water and gas plants. Public Health and Sanitation. Make a study of the record of contagious diseases for the last two years, together with the methods of medical inspection. Describe the activities on behalf of infant welfare. Make a special study of the birth and death rates of the town. Outline a plan for complete food inspection services. Make a study of the sanitary inspection of houses and premises, with recommendations. Make a study of the sanitation of congested parts of town. Public Charities and Corrections. Make a statistical study of the number of cases assisted by the city through indoor or institutional relief. Describe the system of giving outdoor relief and the co-operation of city with private charity. Outline a practical plan for an employment bureau operated by town or city. Make a careful study of one or more prisons, reformatories, or pen- itentiaries in the community. Write the story of a year's juvenile delinquency. For other topics see Poverty, and Crime, under the heading General Social Problems. 16 Public Safety. I>escribe the system of police protection in your town. Make a statistical study of the number and causes of arrests for one year. Describe the methods employed in dealing with vice, with a view to making criticisms. Make a special study of all cases of unwarranted arrests or of unnecessary fines an'd' imprisonment. Make a study of the loss by fire for the last year and the methods of fire-fighting. Outline a pian or propaganda for fire prevention in the city. Public Schools. Describe the organization of the school system, including courses of study and methods of teaching; or select a single school for study. Make a study of the heating, lighting and ventilating of school buildings. Outline a practical plan for better vocational education in the puublic schools. Make a statistical study of age and grade distribution of all chil- dren in the schools and show amount of retardation. Make a study of the need of medical inspection of school children. Describe the uses of the school building during the year for other purposes than teaching; or outline a plan for the "wider use of the school plant." Public Recreation. Make a study of forms of recreation in the community. Draw a city plan for small parks and play spaces. Make a survey of the community with reference to vacant lots and their use for gardens and playgrounds. Outline a practical play for the improvement of the school play- grounds. Make a study of the theaters and other amusement places. Show the evils of inadequate or improper recreation. Financial Methods. What percentage of the total expenditure of the city is devoted to each of the above items of municipal service? Describe the methods of financing public improvements. Describe the methods of budget making and classification of ex- penditures. Describe general procedure in office administration of at least one department of the city government. Make a study of the system of collecting revenue. Outline a plan whereby the city may obtain more funds with justice to all. General Social Service and Civic Uplift. Describe the public libraries of the city, and make a study of its services to the people. Outline a plan whereby the town may have a public library. 17 Show by a detailed study the need for weights and measures super- vision. Make a study of the possibilities for a municipal market. Outline a plan for civil service and pension provisions for city employees. Enumerate, with details of plans, other methods whereby the city oficially may serve the mass of its people. Private Service in the Municipality. Describe the services of one or more Churches to the welfare of the city. . , . , Make a study of the influences of one or more private educational institutions. Describe the work of the Women's Clubs of the town. Make a study of the work of the local Chamber of Commerce or other such organization over a period of two or three years. Outline a plan for a citizen's organization for effecting municipal efficiency. For other private agencies, see Poverty and Relief, under the head, General Social Problems. The City Serving the Rural Community. Estimate the number of farmers in the surrounding country who could be assisted by a single demonstrator paid by the town. Make a careful study of a limited number of credit accounts made by farmers in he town. Make a descriptive study of all public or private roads in the county. Study for a period of one month market prices received by farmers who dispose of produce in the town. Make a careful study of the conveniences available for country women who must spend the day in town. For many other topics of study — indicating means whereby the town may help the country — see Part II. SUBJECTS PRIMARILY RURAL Farming Efficiency. Make a study of the crops, with relative amounts of each, grown on a dozen farms in the community. Make a study of the number and kind of live stock raised in the community. Make a 'detailed study of rotation of crops as practiced on a dozen farms in the community. Classify all farms in the community according to size, proportion in cultivation, and general condition of soil. Classify all families living on farms according as they are owners or tenants. Make a comparative study of the values of land on dicerent farms in the same community. Merchandise and Exchange. Make a study from the post-office of parcel post business for one year. 18 Make a detailed study of the farm products marketed from a dozen farms in the community. Describe the working of at least one co-operative buying or selling organization among farmers. Make a careful study of the prices paid for articles bought for a year by several farmers. Outline a plan whereby the country store may become, not only more effcient in its selling capacity but also a centre of community life. Transportation. Describe the systems of transportation in use in the community. Draw a map of the county showing public and private highways. Describe the system, of working roa^cJs. Make a study of freight schedules and rates on the local rail- roads. Make a study of schedules and conveniences offered for rapid transportation. Make a survey showing practical routes for interurban car lines. Communication. Make an exhaustive study of all methods of communication in the community. Make a careful study of the rural free delivery service. Describe the rural telephones in use and outline a plan for en- largement. Enumerate the instances where bad roards retard communication to a large extent. Through what cultural activities is the community in adequate communication with the rest of the world? For other topics on communication, see Publicity artd Uplift Com- munication. Rural Finance. How many farmers run on a cash basis? Make a study of the credit system in vogue and the rates of interest on loans. Make out a tabulated schedule showing savings on commodities through a cash basis of purchase. Outline a plan whereby the majority of farmers may buy on a cash basis. Outline a practical plan for rural credits. Make a study of typical mortgages in the community. Organization and Co-operation. Describe the co-operative efforts that have been undertaken in the community. Outline a plan for a co-operative country store. Outline a plan for a cow-testing association. Outline a plan for a co-operative buying association. Outline a plan for a co-operative selling association. Classify the difficulties in the way of organization among the farmers. ^ . . 19 Health and Sanitation, Make a study of the death rate in total and by principal diseases in the community. 'Make a study of the death rate among children under five years of age during the last five years. Make a special study of the drinking wells in the community. Make a study of the arrangement and condition of outhouses in the community. Describe the efforts for promoting health and sanitation in the community. Make an inspection of the work of local physicians. Social Satisfactions. Make a study of the social gatherings of the community. Describe the means of entertainment and recreation open to the people of the community according to classes, if there be such. Describe tendencies toward jealousies and feuds in the community, if there be such. Outline a plan for a general social centre for all the community. What provisions are made for giving equal opportunity to all and for caring for the unfortunate? The Rural Church. Make a study of all churches and membership, classified by de- nominations, of the community. Describe the efforts of the churches to ai din the social satisfac- tions of life. Describe the efforts of the church to aid the farmers. Outline a program twhereby all churches can contribute to the wholesome recreation of the community. Make a special study of the church buildings and grounds in the community with a view to improving conditions. Describe all instances in which denominational strife has retarded the work of schools or other community interests. The Rural School. Make a study of all school huildings in the county or district with reference to hygiene and equipment. Make a study of the school grounds of all schools in the community. Describe the work anid' methods in a consolidated school. Outline a plan whereby the school may become a social centre for the community. Describe the curriculum and methods of teaching in a selected number of schools with a view to making recommendations. Classify all teachers in the county according to the preparation they have had for rural education. Civic Efforts and Other Education. Describe the work of the women's clubs in the community. Describe the efforts for providing recreation for children in the community. 20 Describe the efforts put forth for promoting music, art and general culture in the community. Make a study of the history of the community. Classify men according to their political affiliations. Outline a plan for a citizens' civic club. Publicity and Uplift Communiciation. Make a careful study of the newspapers, periodicals, bulletins or other publications received by the families of the community. Outline "an ideal list" of publications within the means of the farmer's family. Describe the local newspaper anid list subjects of discussions for three months. Outline a plan of newspaper publicity for schools, churches and general civic intelligence. Outline a policy for the country newspaper. Outline a plan whereby printed posters and bulletins may be used effectively for education and information of health, sanitation, and other problems relating to everyday life in the community. Country Womanhood. Describe the day's routine work of the average woman on the farm. Describe the social life of the women of the community for a period of six months, in detail. Make a study of property owned by women on the farm and the part they play in supporting the family. Outline a practical plan for reducing the drudgery or unnecessary work of the home. Make a study of opportunities in the community for making it more attractive and comfortable for country womanhooid. Make a census of the country girls who are planning to go to town or who prefer city husbands. The Country Home and Family. .Make a statistical study of all families in the community with reference to numbers, ages and education. Classify families according to the ages