Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 10.djvu/571

 REVIEWS 555

Organization Society. Part III (pp. 269-357) is a sketch of certain aspects of relief; the English poor-law, and outdoor relief in America. Part IV (pp. 361-468) gives the story of relief methods at times of disasters the Chicago fire, the Johnstown flood, etc. The criticism of the current belief that the reform of the poor-law in England in 1834 was the chief cause of better industrial conditions for the laborers is excellent, and the principle that such measures can be appreciated only in relation to the historical situation is sound. The author has set up a defense of material relief-giving which ought to correct the miser's bias and help the generous to feel that they are not foolish if they give bountifully, if they also give wisely ; and no author has ever succeeded better in telling us what it is to give wisely.

There are certain points on which there is room for hesitation and question, although one may well pause before he challenges so emi- nent and careful an authority. Without going into details, one may mention the optimistic estimates of the need for relief, this need being measured by the standard set up by Dr. Devine himself. The facts of infant mortality, the numerous deaths from " starvation diseases," the miserably inadequate amounts doled out to needy families, the testimony of physicians, teachers, and missionaries, seem not to have due consideration in this book. Some of our leading workers in child- saving societies will not be ready to accept the estimates of cost, or the arguments which seem unduly favorable to institutional treat- ment, or the representation that the placing-out system is burdening the rural community in order to relieve the rich cities. The advice to churches to cease giving material relief runs counter to ancient traditions, but the author's argument deserves serious thought

Looking back over the literature of charity produced during the last twenty years in America, we are bound to place this volume in the very front rank, with few companions in the specific field ; and we must regard it as indispensable to the serious student of the general subject.

CHARLES RICHMOND HENDERSON.

Poverty. By ROBERT HUNTER. New York: The Macmillan

Co., 1904. Pp. 382.

In his volume, entitled Poverty, Robert Hunter has rendered for the United States the same service which Frederick Engels rendered to England sixty years ago by the publication of his volume on The