Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/160

 144 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

for the acts of the union or its executive ; (2) abolition of the law of conspiracy in relation to trade disputes; (3) amendment of the law of "picketing" laid down in Lyons vs. Wilkins. It is the first of these proposals upon which the unions have particularly set their hearts. This is, however, open to serious criticism. It is evident that trade-union management must be vested in a com- paratively small executive upon whom the constitution of the union confers certain powers. It is also evident that no union can at present be absolutely secure against reckless action on the part of its officers. No more can any employer. But will any candid trade-unionist assert that what he wants to be protected against is the possible imprudence of his officials? The unions are not really much concerned to avoid responsibility for actions which they would repudiate ; they object rather to being penalized for actions which have their cordial approval.

The reform of trade-union law should not proceed in the direction of a reversal of the Taff Vale decision so as to render the unions financially irrespon- sible, but rather of an extension of the rights of the unions so as to sanction them as legally created artificial persons, in performing the functions for which they exist, namely, the limitation of the extreme individual liberty, which, though fifty years out of date, still stands as the economic norm, upon the statute-books. W. H. BEVERIDGE, in Economic Review, April, 1905.

E. B. W.

Hygienic and Moral Education of the Child. Before the ordinary work of the school curriculum can be undertaken by the pupil with any prospect of satis- factory progress, it is quite essential that careful and expert attention be turned to the cure of physical defects, such as those of eye and ear, and to the pro- tection of healthy children from those affections of eye, ear, nose, and throat which are more widespread among our school population than is supposed, and which for many years have paralyzed the best efforts of our educators.

To this end there must be the closest of affiliation between parents, teachers, and physicians, in order that the instruction of every child may be entirely adapted addition to that of securing for children the benefits of an adequate physical training and hygienic education to procure for each a full measure of bodily vigor.

In a certain number of cities a league of physicians and parents has been established in connection with the secondary schools. Heads of families ought to give their hearty support to this work so eminently patriotic, and calculated to regenerate our race impaired by excess of every kind. Is there any reason why this league should not extend its roots down into the department of primary instruction, and even into the maternal school ?

There is a further aim cherished by the National University League, in addition to that of securing for children the benefits of an adequate physical, moral, and intellectual education, and that is the securing of greater assiduity on the part of scholars. That there is abundant opportunity for improvement in the regularity and continuity of school attendance is evident when we consider that a quarter of a century after the promulgation of compulsory education there still exist departments where the children have scarcely 120 to 150 days per year of actual school attendance. F. EARTH^S, "Education sanitaire et morale de 1'enfant," Revue philanthropique, May 15, 1905. E. B. W.