_Courtesy of the Scranton Tribune-Republican._
]
At the invitation of the Topeka (Kans.) Federation of Churches given
through its president, Rev. Roy B. Guild, such a pathfinder’s survey of
Topeka was made in December. As a result, a local survey committee
composed of representative citizens was formed, and a campaign started
to raise the funds estimated as necessary. Twelve hundred dollars in
cash was contributed within a few weeks after the campaign was started.
The Chairman, Judge T. F. Garver and Secretary, H. T. Chase have been
supported by a strong favorable public opinion among leading citizens.
Similarly, as a result of the sanitary survey of Springfield, Ill., made
by Dr. George T. Palmer, local citizens wished such other investigations
made as would in the end mean a general survey of the city. At their
invitation a “pathfinder’s” survey of Springfield was made by the
department, and a local survey committee headed by Senator Logan Hay and
with A. L. Bowen, secretary of the State Board of Charities, as
secretary, was organized. The appointment of a finance committee has
been authorized, and work toward raising the necessary funds is soon to
begin.
Another quick diagnosis of city conditions was made by the department
recently for Scranton, Pa. The project was urged by the Civic
Improvement Committee of the Scranton Century Club, of which Gertrude
Lovell is chairman. The Century Club became interested and through its
president, Mrs. Ronald P. Gleason, the Department of Surveys and
Exhibits was invited to make the preliminary examination. The report
presented to an open meeting of the club covered public health and
sanitation, taxation and public finance, community assets, civic
improvement, education, charity and other betterment agencies,
recreation, delinquency, work conditions and relations. The findings and
recommendations of this quick diagnosis were given wide circulation in
the city by the newspapers.
Among the larger efforts of the department is a preliminary survey of
Newburgh. N. Y., which was started March 15. The department’s field
director, Zenas L. Potter, is being assisted by Franz Schneider, Jr.,
also of the department’s staff, in the investigation of public health;
Margaret F. Byington of the Charity Organization Department of the
Russell Sage Foundation has investigated public and private charity
work; D. O. Decker is covering public finance and municipal efficiency;
E. F. Brown of the National Child Labor Committee is assisting in the
studies of labor conditions; and Franklin Zeiger is studying housing.
The New York Consumers League expects also to send a field worker to
co-operate for a fortnight. Amy Woods, secretary of the Newburgh
Associated Charities, started the movement toward the Newburgh survey.
The project has had the support of citizens representing the
business-men’s associations, labor unions, churches, charity and other
social organizations, city administration and women’s organizations. The
findings of this survey are soon to be ready for publication.
The preliminary surveys are designed to attain three kinds of results.
First, they aim to reveal sufficient local facts to permit the planning
of an intelligent program for community advance, say for a period of
five years. Not only liabilities but community assets—the forces to
build on and to build with—as well as what to build will be.
Second, the preliminary survey aims to be the means of enlisting public
support for measures which champion human welfare. The public official
with a vision of what he might accomplish toward social well being needs
the support of public opinion. His and other work for city progress are
as often hampered by public indifference as by the selfish interests of
an active few. Public indifference in matters of its own vital concern
disappears quickly when the public is intelligently informed. City
self-knowledge is a chief effort of the survey.
Third, the preliminary survey is to collect sufficient data to point out
the problems which need more thorough or continuous investigation.