North Carolina Newspapers

. L * ft vj-i 1 „ * •iil&on, . "hapel Kill. ]T fi The news in this publica tion is released for the press on receipt. THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA NEWS LETTER Published weekly by the University of North Carolina for its Bureau of Extension. APRII. 3, 1918 CHAPEL HILL, N. C. VOL. IV, NO. 19 Editorial Board * E, C. Brausoii, J. G. cleR. Hamilton, L. R. Wibsoii, R. H. Thornton, G. M. McKie. Entered as second-class matter November 14,1914, .it the Postoffice at Chapel Hill, N* C., under the act of August 24,1912, 1 WILSON’S WORD ON DEMOCRACY A TIME OF GRAVE CRISIS President Wilson A time of jrave crisis has come in tlie life of the nation; a time when economic and social forces are being relea.sed upon the world who^ ettect no political seer dares venture to predict ; a time that bids ns search our hearts through and make them ready for the birth of a new day, a day we hope and believe of greater opportunity and greater prosperity for the average mass of struggling men and wmmen and of greater safety and oppor tunity for the children. The New Order Has Come The old party slogans have lost their significance and will mean nothing to the voter of the future, for the war is certain to change the mind of Europe as well as the«iindof America. Men everywhere are searching democratic principles in their hearts in order to determine their soundness, their sincerity, their adapta bility to tlie needs of their life, and every man with any vision must see that the real tost of justice and right action is presently to come as it never came be fore. The men in the trenches, who 'have been freed of the economic serfdom to which some of them have been accus tomed, will, it is likely, return to their homes with a new view and a new im portance, and will demand real thinking and sincere action. Forget the Old Let u.s, therefore, forget everything but tl).^ new service which we are to be called upon to render. The days of po litical and economic reconstruction which at e aiiead of us no man can now definite ly as.ses.s, but we know this: that the program must be shot tlirough and through with utter disinterestness, that no putty must try to serve itself but every p.'i'ly must try to serve humanity, and tit at the task is a very practical one, m-tiling that every program, every measure in a program, must be tested by this question and tliis question only; Is it just, is it for the benefit of the average mail, without intiueiice or privilege; doeii it embody in real fact the highest conception of social justice and of right de.aliiig witiiout resiaect of person or class or pat ticular interest? Sympathize with Masses This is a high test. It can he met only by those who have genuine sympathy with the mass of men and real, insight into needs and opportunities, and ■ a piu |i(ise which is purged alike of selfish an I of partisan intention. The party vdii.b rises to this test will receive the t of the people because it deserves it OiJR SUPREME PROBLEM “rhe supreme problem of our time is the 1)Arinoni/iiig in democracy of indi- viitmtism and the social welfare. Many .things that have been attained in the way of social efliciency and progress in .-autocratic governments will have to be ■vnougiit out by the people regarded as a cSDci.il unit working through government. 'dLmiiltou perverted the national idea \ty i-criisting the democratic faith; Jeft'er- sm perverted the democratic idea Ity re sisting a strong and efficient govern ment. The two must be harmonized in the social state of the future in order that we may have a diseiitliued and teailied instrument of government for itli-3 purpose of organizing “the great .state.” “Tlie Germans have unity without Ivecdora, the lUissians freedom without amity. Can we combine the two? Is the dciiincracy tiiat we otter the world a final ifonit of society?’’ Calture and Democracy “Uiie of the primary objects of educa tion has lieen to aeiiuaint American youUi,-. with the best culture of the past, llul the College of Liberal Arts—the in heritor of this type of education—has been criticized by President Wilson for its failure to do this very thing. Kurth- enn.aro, William James, in lii.s Social Vain.' of the College Bred, has lamented the failure of American colleges to con nect Lliem.selvo-s with the American pub lic in the way of vital leadership. Amer ican popular education, according to Ex- President Eliot and John Dewey, has not related itself to the life of the people. “In a word, culture and commercial- is.n seem to he at odds with each other, and can only be reconciled in the way indicated.by President Graham in a re markable article on that subject. Cer tainly we may look forward, not to the abandonment of the old culture, but to its vitalization, and to an extension of the education of all the people to the point where it shall lead to a more gen uine democracy. For democracy is not merely a theory of government, but a state of society in which the talents and qualities of all the jteople have a chance for development and self-realization.’’ A New War Leaflet We are quoting Leaflet No. 12 of the War Information Series just given to the public by the Extension Bureau of-the University of North Carolina—American Ideals in American Literature, by Dr. Edwin Mims of Vanderbilt. - This leaflet of twelve pages leads the student in brief narrative summaries and reading references through (1) Our Liter ature aud Our Naiional Life, (2) Section alism and Provincialism, (3) Triumph of the National Spirit, (4) Our Interpreters of Ereedom and Democracy, (5) Ameri- icaii Ideals of Education and Culture, and (6) Our Contributions to Civilization and Literature. This leaflet like all the others goes free to those that want it. THE SOUL OF DEMOCRACY Democracy is a word to conjure with these days. The papers are full of it. It is what this world-war is about; it is what America is fighting for selflessly, and be- cause^of this simple, single fact is writing a new chapter in human history. But what is democracy—really? AVhy is it better than German autocracy, and why is it worth dying for? What are the defects of our democracy? How could it ’be better? And what might be done to make it better? With all the deftness we possess we tried out these inquiries with every man we fell in with on a 250 mile journey across the state the other day—all sorts and conditions of men. We were trying to find out just how the multitudes are thinking about the issue that thirty mil lion men are now fighting for and dying for—what the level of the thinking of the average may is about this foundational concern of men. Griggs’s New Book The result of this two day experience out among the folks left us wishing that every man and woman witli a mind to think would read Edward Howard Griggs’s new book, The Soul of Democ racy (Macmillan Co., N. Y. City, $1.25 net.) It is not a book written for the illuminated in upper academic circles; it is a hook for the millions-simple, cleir, easily understood, convincing, gripping. Man for self alone is mobocraey; man for the state alone is Prussian autocracy; man for huinauity is the soul of democ racy; man for Immaliity, in His name, is religion—the only religion worth call ing Christian. Such is the large meaning of this little book, and it is worth thinking through in full detail. The necessity for more defi nite ideas about democracy lies in the fact that to the mind of seven men in every ten of our chance actiuaintauces the other day Democracy meant either a certain party—so much and no more, or the clear, certain right of self-rule as a man or com munity pleases, without let or hindrance. It was a peep into the mind of the way faring mail. Something like this ratio is true of the nation at large, we judge. Democracy will rise no higher in Amer ica than the level of thinking in the mass mind, and we have come upon a time in our history when it is critically important for the multitudes to think clearly, sane ly, and safely, as the nation moves into a new epoch. COUNTRY CHURCH STUDIES Circular lunnber 4 of the L’niversity ' Bureau, of Extension is ready for the public and will be mailed free of charge WHAT WILL YOU DO? The soldier must pay in siifi'ering and death for liberty for you. What will you jiay ? The soldier gives up all on earth ex cept honor to purchase liberty for you and your country. Wliat will you give up? Your loved ones and country and all on earth that is worth living for are at stake. What are you willing to do to save them? The murderer and the outrager are striking down your neighbor’s family and starting for your loved ones. The soldier rushes in and offers his life to save them. LVhat are you willing to do to save them? On April 6th the nation will ask for an expression of your patriotism. On that day it will want to know what you are willing to do to stand behind the soldier as he goes “over the top.’’ It will ask you on that, the first an niversary of our entrance into war, how many Liberty|Bonds, the best se curity on earth, you will buy. Do not wait for a long drawn out campaign, but lie ready on the opening dayj to stand in line, if necessary, to enter your subscription. Manufacturers’ Record. to all who write for it in time. It is a syllabus of Country Church Studies and Reading References. It is a chapter out of the year’s work in Rural Social Problems at the University of North Carolina. So far, it is the only syllabus in ijrint that, ooncerus the coun try church in the South in particular. The outline studies cover— 1. The Status of the Country Church: Where growing, where marking time, where dying or dead, and why. 2. Menaces to the Country Church: (1) Modern industrialism—the city ward drift of country people—the loss of rural leadership—the urbanization of the race, (2) Tenancy and instable citizen ship, (3) Illiteracy mainly a rural problem—its effect on church attendance and membership, (4) Individualism and Egoistic Religion, (5) Absentee preach ers and once-a-month sermons. 3. Constructive measures: (1) A realization by church authorities and the country people themselves that the coun try church is in danger, (2) An increase in home-owning farmere, (3) An in crease in country wealtli and willingness, (4) Country church homes aud living salaries, (5) Resident coiiutry-ininded ministers, (6) Special training in Ru ral Social Science for country pastors, (7) Rural lay leadership recognized and developed, (8) The Social Gospel of the Master. The reading references detail practical ly everything that is in print on this sub ject, in either pamphlet or book form. Students who do not have a chance at the Rural Social Science courses offered in the churcli colleges and seminaries have a chance to school tiiemselves in this subject in ways of self-tuition. Any thing we can do here to assist them will bj gladly done. HOME-STATE STUDIES The teachers of the State will have a chance in the coming session of the Uni versity Summer School to study the Wealth and IVelfare Problems of North Carolina. The necessity for professional prepara tion of this sort they have had fully en forced in Hart's Community Studies. Most of them know tlie educational the ories involved, but not many of them know the state they serve. They know a great deal about the history and geogra phy of North Carolina—not eiiougli to be s ire, but at least something and many of them know much; but as a body the teachers of the state have not yet turned their attention to Economic and Social cond.tlons and problems in their home coimnu'.iities and the mother stale. The department of rural economics and soc’ology offers three courses in Carolina A LITTLE CHILD LED THEM It was a momisnt when every neri e 1 was tense. Captain David Fallon, a re turned British ofticer from France, wounded fifteen times in battle, had just finished his thrilling addre.ss and pledges of $1,000 to the A\’ar-Savings Stamp Cam paign hail been called for. I.ittle Donald C. Warlick, bright and attractive, about five j'ears old, had apparently heard ev ery word the speaker had said. He had just squared himself on the top of the al tar railing, a seconder a third time when the request for $1,000 pledges was greatly emphasized. His hand shot up instantly. The audience was silent. As first it was tliought a mistake—that the boy did not understand. Before an explanation could be made, his father Mr.-,Jesse Warlick of Hickory, said; “Take his name. I’ll stand by him. I’ll see that every cent of it is paid.’’ After this pledges were easily taken. Before the meeting closed $30,000 in pledges had been signed. Meanwhile, an aged minister in the audience arose and said; “Brethren, ‘And a little child shall lead them'.’’— War Saving News. Wealth and Welfare this summer; and, so far as we know, no such courses are offered in any other summer school in America. They cover five hours a week each and the credits go toward high school and superintendent's certificates, college or graduate degrees. These courses in outline are as follows: Carolina Wealth Studies I. The .source;;- of Our Primary Wealth, (1) Agriculture, (2) Manufacture, (3) Forests and Woodlots, (4) Mines and Quarries, and Fisheries. II. Our Accumulated IVealth and its Forms, (1) Actual Wealth and Tax- ables, total and jier capita, (2) Wealth in Farm Properties, (3) Industrial Capital, (4) Banking Capital, (5) Bank Account Savings. III. Factors involved in the Reten tion of Farm Wealth, (1) AVell Balanced Farm Systems, (2) Market Problems, (3) Credit Facilities. lY. The Civic uses of Wealtli, (1) Our State Revenues and the. cost of State Government, (2) The General Property Tax, (3) AVhere the Tax Burden Lies, (4) What the State Does with the Taxpayer’s Dollar, ,(5) Aids to Agriculture, (6) Our Support of I’ublic Education, (7) Public Health AVork in North Carolina, (8) Charities and Corrections in North Carolina, Texts; Bulletins University Extension Bureau, Nos. 17, 23, and 25. Carver’s Principles of Rural Economics. Course sll in Rural Economics—Branson. Carolina Welfare I. The Rural Social Problem—AVhat it is and is not: The causes producing the Country-Life Problem; Conditions and Consequences at present. II. Socialization—AA'hat it means; Ideal Ends and Aims; Obstacles in the Countiyside; the County as a Oivic and Social Agency; Needed Organized Agen cies in County Socialization. III. Rural Social Institutions—the Country Home in contrast with the City Home; the Country Church; the Coun try School; the Country Store; the Coun try Newspaper; the Country Doctor; Communication and Transportation Fa cilities. lA". Couiitry-JJfe Agencies—Economic Agencies witli Culture Aims; Economic Agencies with Business Aims; Social Agencies for the Common Good. A'. Developments in other States; Progressive Communities in North Caro lina. Texts: Yogt's Rural Sociology, Fiske’s Challenge of the Country. Course sl3 Rural Sociology.—Branson. Social Research Course sl2 is a laboratory course col lateral with courses sll and sl3, and may be chosen in addition to either of those two courses. Tlie studies concern matters of state-wide importance. They cover rural, urban, and industrial prob lems, economic and social. The subjects and methods are indicated by the 247 studies already made by summer school and regular term students of the Univer sity during the last three years, and giv en to the public in part in the various is sues of the University News Letter aud the North Carolina Club A'ear-Books, 1915-16 and 1916-17. Students from oth er states will be assigned to similar stud ies of their liome state. Tlie consultation hour is 4-.30 o'clock daily; but the work can be done in tlie laboratory headquar ters at any time suiting convenience of students enrolled. OUR ROLL OF UNFORTUNATES I The North Carolina Club at the Univer sity at its last regular meeting was ad- ’ dressed by Dr. Albert Anderson, Superin tendent of the Central Hospital for In sane, Raleigh, on (1) Our Feeble-minded, Epileptic, and Insane—their number and their treatment in North Carolina, and (2) the Prevention of Mental III Health. 1. The Feeble-minded are estimated by the authorities to number from two and a half to three per thousand of popu lation, said he, or between 6,000 and 7,200 of all ages in North Carolina. The I estimate is probably too low, as a recent ! survey in South Carolina shows a rate of 6 per thousand and the recent army draft a rate of 14 per thousand. About a fourth of the feeble-minded are of school age from 6 to 21, and on the lowest estimate the number to be cared for in our school for the feeble-minded at Kinston is from 1,500 to 1,800. The number actually there in 1917 was 188, or just about a tenth of the children who really ought to be there. The number applying for ad mission was 193. Manifestly the institu tion is too small, and the fund of $46,000 a year inadequate. North Carolina has made a creditable beginning in caring for feeble-minded children, but we must go on in large hearted generosity. Seventeen states have no .schools for these unfortu nates. 2. Nobody knows the number of Epi leptics in this or any other state. Tlie number in institutions in the United States in 1917 was 10,081. In the epilep tic colonies of the Central Hospital for the Insane in Raleigh, there are 213. The number applying for admission is 103, Facilities need to be doubled to meet the immediate demand. 3. The Insane under hospital care in the United States in 1917 were 234,000; which, by the way, is almost exactly the number of students in our colleges and universities. The insane in our four state hospitals in 1910 ivere 2,500. The appli cations increase steadily year by year, as our civilization becomes more and more complex; which means the necessity for more floor space, more extended equip ments and facilities, and a larger staff of physicians, nurses and attendants. The Stitch in Time J ust as \ve are learning to prevent phy sical disease, said Dr. Anderson, we are learning to prevent mental ill-health, and this is the inspiring new field of effort that the authorities of insane liospitals are now entering. A clinic has been es tablished for this purpose on Dix Hill in Raleigh, to examine those who are suf fering from nervous or mental troubles, and are threatened with insanity. Tlie examination and advice are free. A special building lias been erected for this purpose, but is not yet equipped. Funds are needed for scientific appliances and to support an adequate staff of specialists. Manifestly, all this work of examina tion and advice could not be done in any one central office. AA'e need mental health clinics at strategic points throughout the state, all operating under the guidance of state headquarters. This new work de pends for its development in North Caro lina, said Dr. Anderson, upon a rapid diffusion of populariiiitelligence about the proper care and treatment of children in our homes and schools, and upon the liberality ol our taxpayers toward the prevention of mental ill-health among jieople of all ages, occupations, condi tions, and classes. In no other way can we prevent feeble mindedness and insanity, decrease the number of such untortunates, lessen their population in public institutions, decrease the periods of hospital residence, and the burden of public expense on their behalf. In closing Dr. Anderson quoted Dr. AV. II. Burnham at length upon the proper care of ichildren as they develop in mind and body.—Myron Green, Secre tary.