Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/697

 THE AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL SOCIETY

WASHINGTON, D. C, February, 1906.

At a conference recently held in Baltimore for the purpose of discussing the wisdom of forming a national association of sociolo- gists designed to perform for sociology services similar to those rendered political economy by the American Economic Association, about forty specialists in sociology representing twenty-one educa- tional institutions and a dozen organizations engaged in practical sociological work decided to form such an association at once and to invite all persons interested in the scientific and philosophical study of society to become members. Among those who attended the conference, as well as among the sixty other sociologists who expressed their views by letter, there was an almost unanimous opinion that regular annual meetings of those interested in the promotion of sociological studies would advance the science and benefit those who are devoting themselves to it

Several European nations already possess sociological associa- tions which are accomplishing good results. What has succeeded elsewhere ought also to be possible in the United States, where there is certainly as deep, as widespread, and as truly scientific an interest in sociology as in any other country.

Quite as much as the economists, who formed a national asso- ciation twenty years ago, our sociologists are in need of the stimulus, the encouragement, and the mutual criticism which would come from an organization that is national, permanent, and scientific in character. Theoretical sociology has thus far been built up mainly through the work of one-idea thinkers who have developed their own views to the neglect of much that is valuable in the work of others. Moreover, the relation between the various aspects of sociology historical or descriptive, analytical or theoretical, and ameliorative or practical has too often been overlooked. "Prac- tical sociologists" have sometimes known little and cared less for the theoretical and general aspects of the subject. To bring these several groups together would, it was felt, help them all, and at

1 This is a copy of the circular lately issued by the society. We publish it in order to assist the officers in completing the membership as rapidly as possible.

68 1