facts in the case and the methods of securing evidence from these sources, and of weighing and utilizing the evidence secured. It does not enter the field of the application of remedies, except in so far as the diagnosis itself indicates the treatment. Whether or not the work can be regarded as truly scientific depends upon the correctness of the author's belief that, amidst all the complexity and infinite variation of personal woes, there is sufficient uniformity to justify the induction and enunciation of certain general principles and rules of procedure. It is hard to see how anyone, after reading this book, can fail to decide this question in the affirmative. If the would-be social reformer aspires to be a case-worker, he will do well to supplement his reading of "Community" by a thorough perusal and continuous use of "Social Diagnosis." Sociology in the generally accepted sense is an inclusive subject, and it is therefore inevitable that there should spring up a number of subdivisions—“Municipal Sociology," "Educational Sociology," and the like—which fall into two broad classes: those that study some detached phase of human relationships in a detached manner, and call the result sociology because the subject matter is a part of the social organization; and those that are an application of the fundamental sociological principles to a defined department of social life. The latter group is evidently the only one worthy the name of science or of sociology. One of the most vigorous and promising representatives of these specialized sociologies is "Rural Sociology," and one of the best examples of the scientific kind of rural sociology is Professor Vogt's new book. The author displays a commendable familiarity with the work of the theoretic sociologists and the established principles and viewpoints of the subject. His book is really an interpretation of the phenomena of rural life in the terms of sociological data. The topics covered are the standard ones-the land question, communication, religion, education, health, and economic organization. The discussions are eminently practical, and the author evinces a knowledge of rural affairs which admirably complements his theoretic equipment. The solution of rural problems-as far as there is any one solution-he finds in the conscious development of the village as a social centre, and the purposeful coordination of community interests about the village. "The Immigrant and the Community" is a specimen of the kind of writing which helps to give sociology a black eye with the followers of the exact sciences, and many other people of common sense. It is interesting, it is suggestive, it is valuable, but it is not science. In this book Miss Abbott embodies the results of her rich and varied experience in working to promote the welfare of the foreign-born residents of this country, particularly in connection with the Immigrants' Protective League of Chicago. She also expounds the theory of social obligation and personal responsibility which has made her such a useful worker in this field. The book is an ardent plea for a better understanding of our alien population and a fuller sympathy with them on the part of the American people, and a resulting wide extension of the agencies and efforts devoted to protecting and advancing these groups. Emphasis upon all these points is much needed. The people of this country should have their attention called to the sufferings of our immigrant population, and their eyes opened to the seriousness of the dangers which inhere in our established attitude towards foreigners. It is in the interpretation of her facts, and the conclusions which she draws from her observations that Miss Abbott displays the psychological bent, not at all uncommon among those who deal with "social problems" at first hand, according to which all activity should date from the appearance of the evil in a concrete human being. "Here we have this enormous number of unassimilated foreigners," she says in effect. "They constitute a disturbing element in our body politic. They interfere with the proper functioning of our democratic institutions. They menace the stability of our social system. They themselves suffer hardship, indignity, and injustice, and fall far short of realizing the dreams of progress which brought them here. What shall we do about it?" Miss Abbott's answer is that we should devote so much of our national energy as is necessary, however much that be, to the task of Americanizing these aliens, protecting them, fraternizing with them, facilitating their advance towards every economic and social goal. She does not stop to tell us whom she means by "we." She does not inquire how a nation, already thoroughly disorganized and divided by the immigration of the past, can succeed in initiating a social programme which demands for its success the completest homogeneity and community of action, especially as each new step in its achievement would automatically increase the magnitude of the problem by stimulating immigration. She persistently refuses to consider the remedy of stoppage at the source. A single example of the author's logic will suffice to illustrate this attitude: "It cost $2,575,000 to maintain the immigration service for that year (1913), and practically all that expenditure of two and one-half million dollars was made in order that less than twenty thousand persons who were deemed undesirable could be separated from more than a million who were admitted to the United States. Those who realize what this money would have done if expended in behalf of the immigrants who are admitted, think of the costliness of this exclusion with some impatience." How much better is cure than prevention! Has Miss Abbott given a moment's consideration to the other hundreds of thousands of potential immigrants "deemed undesirable" who have been prevented from ever leaving home by the very existence of our immigration service and our selective law? If we admitted immigrants as indiscriminately now as we did before the passage of the federal immigration law, the sum of two and one-half million dollars would be as nothing in meeting the burden that would ensue. "The Offender" is a practical book by a practical worker. Its subject matter is the origin and nature of the criminal, and the methods of applying social treatment to him. The illogicalities and weaknesses of our established court system are pointed out and improvements suggested. Probation, parole, and the indeterminate sentence are discussed in detail. There is also a full consideration of approved modern methods of prison construction, organization, administration, and government. One of the most valuable ideas presented is that of the penological clearinghouse. It is very pertinently pointed out that the tasks of establishing the fact of guilt and of determining the appropriate treatment are entirely distinct functions. Much effort is wasted and many unwarranted conclusions reached because the information about a given individual is now scattered among different agencies, and not commonly available. Taking the book as a whole, the chief criticism is a lack of consistency and orderliness in the arrange ment of the material. But the discussions are all worth while, and are marked by moderation and common sense, as well as by abundant inside knowledge of the facts and keen insight. Miss Van Kleeck's study of the millinery trade follows the same general plan as her previous investigations into the occupational activities of women, and arrives at the same general results. Those familiar with her earlier books will not need a description of the methods and scope of the investigation. The work is done with her customary thoroughness and accuracy, and gives the impression of entire reliability and pertinence. The final conclusion cannot be better stated than in the author's own words: "The great outstanding fact in this investigation of the millinery trade is, then, that the career of a milliner yields less than a living wage for more than half the workers, and that the most important cause of low earnings is irregular employment due to seasonal fluctuations." "Disasters" is a timely little book dealing with a subject of permanent interest and importance. The various types of disaster discussed are disasters at sea, coal mine disasters, floods, fires, and tornadoes. Particular attention is given to the part of the American Red Cross in the relief of disasters since 1905. The most valuable portion of the book is that dealing with the principles of disaster relief, and the organization of disaster relief. Here again the possibilities of scientific sociology are manifested. No two disasters are alike. At any time disasters may occur which do not conform to any of the types described in this book. But it has been amply demonstrated that there are established general rules of correct procedure which may be applied to the most varied types. An interesting verification of this statement was afforded by the remarkable coincidence that the proof sheets of this book were ready on the very day of the Halifax disaster, and were used by relief workers as a preparation for the task of rehabilitating that city. New York City. HENRY PRATT FAIRCHILD. INDEX TO VOLUME VIII [Reviews are entered under the author of the book reviewed and under the reviewer.] Abbott, Wilbur Cortez. That this Nation may Endure... Expansion of Europe. Rev. by J. W. Thompson. PAGE 225-42 208-12 Adams, Brooks. Max Farrand's Development of the United States.. 623-40 851-6 580-95 438-40 438-40 Allen, Frederic Sturges. Spelling Reform.. 602-8 Alsace, The Mind of. Victor Plarr... 513-30 Alvord, James Church. Woonsocket, City of Mills: a Poem.. Anderson, Sherwood. Mid-American Chants. Rev. by G. H. Conkling. 432-8 Andrews, Charles McLean. Variegated Biography: Book Reviews. 879-84 205-8 158 Graves in France: a Poem.... 273 Balance Wheels of America, The. Henry W. Farnam. 254-71 Balkans, The Passing of the. V. R. Savić. 500-12 Ballade for Peace Day: a Poem. Winifred M. Letts. 499 Barstow, Marjorie. Sketches of Carranza's Mexico.. 350-69 Beach, Joseph Warren. Method of Henry James. Rev. by M. A. Jordan. 877-9 Becker, Carl. The Eve of the Revolution. Rev. by W. R. Thayer. Benét, Stephen Vincent. Young Adventure. Rev. by L. Untermeyer. 858-67 Benét, William Rose. The Burglar of the Zodiac. Rev. by G. H. Conkling. 432-8 891-405 Blumenthal, Daniel. Alsace-Lorraine. Rev. by F. M. Fling. 412-5 Bolshevism. Under which King, Bezonian? Henry Crosby Emery. 673-93 Bourne, Randolph. History of a Literary Radical.. 468-84 Briton, American and. John Galsworthy. 18-82 Brody, Alter. A Family Album. Rev. by L. Untermeyer. 858-67 Brooke, Tucker. J. Q. Adams's Shakespearean Playhouses. Sir Henry Herbert's Dramatic Records, ed. by J. Q. Adams.. 438-40 222-4 222-4 737-54 274-81 144-57 485-98 |