FACULTY PUBLICATIONS

Problems of Citizenship. Hayes Baker-Crothers and Ruth A. Hudnut. (Henry Holt and Co.)

This book should be of interest to the general reader who is a careful student of leading, social problems, but it should be of greater interest to Dartmouth alumni who are curious concerning the experiment of the Citizenship course as given at their alma mater. The authors have had some voice in the management of this course, or interested in its evolution and development, ever since its beginning at Dartmouth. In the words of the foreword (page VI), "'Problems of Citizenship' is the outgrowth of materials developed and revised over several years in the Dartmouth College introductory course to the social sciences." For this reason, a thorough reading of this volume is recommended, in order to understand and appreciate something of the comparatively new venture in the field of Citizenship.

After a brief introduction on "The Nation's Ideals," the authors consider several social problems in the following order: The Newspaper Problem, The Immigration Problem, The Negro Problem, The Woman Problem, The Industrial Problem, Problem of Civil Liberty, Problem of International Relations, and Problem of War and Peace. The first few glances through the book may leave the impressions that the type is unattractive, the pages crowded, and the style rather dull. Upon more careful reading, however, these apparent weaknesses seem less important and some fundamental questions may arise,—what is citizenship for the purpose of this book; why are certain problems chosen rather than many others; why the relative weights and space given to the different problems; is such a presentation of problems any more than a "sampling process"; and does a study of these problems serve only to sharpen the appetite for a more careful analysis off the issues or is it likely to "skim of the cream" and leave certain, later courses and studies dry and less valuable? The answers to these questions may be based on experience and personal opinions, and the authors may be better qualified to answer them than an outsider after the first reading of the book.

The first problem studied—"The Newspaper"—will interest the reader for various reasons,—its universal appeal, the early statements concerning the need for reform, truth in newspaper writing, the capitalist point of view, and how to read and judge the news. In this section, one may ask the question—should a study of the problem be scientific and present sent all sides of the issue, with a fair balance, or should it present only the unpopular side, or the side not generally considered? Does not liberal-mindedness consist in seeing all sides of a problem rather than one side, even though that may be unpopular?

The Immigration Problem impresses the reviewer as being an excellent presentation of the various phases of this issue as they concern the United States. It seems to be more descriptive and less controversial in its tone (and so'may be easily accepted). Here we find interesting statements on the various attitudes toward immigration, the history of the immigration policy in the United States, causes for emigration, social conditions of the immigrant, and certain economic, social, and political effects of immigration.

The Negro Problem is stated frankly and discussed freely, including the social status of the negro, the economic life of the negro, race inferiority, and proposed solutions of the negro problem. There are many facts of a statistical nature, rather dry, which assist in supporting the various statements and conclusions. Occasionally, statements are made which "hit hard" but the good intention may be to stimulate thought and provoke discussion.

Next comes the Woman Problem, probably the definite contribution of Ruth A. Hudnut. This problem is treated frankly from the feminist point of view, which may be one side only. Very early we are struck by the interesting statement—"The woman movement has as its object the obliteration of the divine right of men to rule over women" (page 162). Dartmouth men are interested at once. Then come the reasons for the woman movement, some existing inequalities, discriminations in the economic world (two chapters), and equality through economic independence'. It would seem that too much space has been given to this problem, that many of its aspects concern and represent the ideas of a very small minority of women, and that some of the complaints of economic inequalities may be true but impossible to remedy so long as the economic mechanism must operate truthfully and efficiently.

The Industrial Problem would seem to be the most important because of the great amount of space given to it compared with any other problem. To the economist, a review of so many issues is difficult to judge. Certainly, this section does not pretend to do more than outline many economic fields. Here are considered the problems of employer and employee, various methods of handling industrial disputes, government control of industrial relations and industry, and radical proposals for the control of industry.

The following problems on Civil Liberty, International Relations, and War and Peace seem to provide a happy combination of history and political science. The information makes interesting reading. The Problem of War and Peace, including the causes of war and means of preventing war, is a most timely discussion and furnishes a proper ending to a useful and interesting book.

Finally, there is a most comprehensive bibliography which indicates the wide reading of the authors and the source of materials for those who may wish to read more in the field of Citizenship, so well outlined in the volume reviewed.