Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 4.djvu/287

 REVIEWS 269

lence, and that all paupers dependent on rates should be cared for in institutions. It is interesting to see the nature of the opposition to this movement on the part of politicians and the representatives of the ancient and traditional relief agencies. The belief that pauperism, social dependence, is the permanent fate of an entire class in the com- munity is at the bottom of this antagonism, both in England and in America. Many later economists and socialists believe that this tend- ency is fostered by capitalist managers in order to have a large " reserve army" of the unemployed to lower wages by competition with the more competent. Loria goes so far as to teach that the charity fund is a regular part of modern investment, and that capitalists think it pays to expend a good deal in this direction. Of this Mr. Mackay says nothing. He thinks that with a perfect mechanism for exchange there would be no unemployed class, and that outdoor relief is an obstruction to free- dom of labor movement.

The discussion of "voting charities" (p. 154) deserves especial attention. In London men subscribe to certain hospital and other funds on the distinct agreement that they can send any (poor) friend on their card. So it comes about that a man in need of such help must search all over the West End for some rich patron in order to gain the benefits. In America the same abuse is growing up under cover. We may not have any avowedly " voting charities," but it is pretty well understood that a patron of certain eleemosynary institu- tions has a" pull " with the almoners or superintendents which will not be disregarded. The demoralizing effects are beginning to appear in this country, and they are inevitable.

The Charity Organization Society was forced to add a department of relief, against its own desires, because of the refusal of parish authorities and private relief societies to cooperate with it in divi- sion of labor. In a rational and consistent system the poor law would be confined to relief of paupers in institutions ; endowed charities would concentrate their miserable doles in pensions, education, and provident schemes. The experience with chaotic relief ought to teach us something in America — but will it ?

This little volume has much in it worth the attention of American students of social economics and charity. Those who favor an exten- sion of old-age pensions, compulsory sickness insurance by the state, and other " socialistic " measures, will find in these chapters some- thing for reflection, and something which will stir their antagonism.

C. R. Henderson.