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A MAGAZINE OF NEIGHBORLINESS
NUMBER
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18
FEBRUARY 22, 1914
BREEDING MEN* The Problems of Sex Education
·· •("
,·
By DR. HUGH CABOT
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PRICE FIVE CENTS
WILL not take up your time or
mine with the argument whether
or not we should discuss sex
education. If people believe in
the policy of silence they do not
'illeve in democracy, which is based funinentally upon the right of each one of us
blow the fact. Unless we believe in the
llty of the average man and woman to
e to a sound opinion, then we do not
Ieve in the policy to which this country
committed, or that we ourselves are to
trnsted.
There are many pro•
blems in this topic
llfch I should like to discuss. Only a few
them, however, can I take up toni• ht.
g
l'lt. how shall we go ·at this business?
r_little education in the concerns of sex
tter been attempted. It is that, in fact,
_ h makes many draw back upon the
of this great undertaking.
We may divide our methods of education
three lines of attack, based upon those
we wish to reach. First, there are ·
adults, the actual or potential fathers
11lothers, who at present do not know
Of the vital questions concerning the
&Dd abuses of the sex instinct. These
can be reached best through public
or lectures in the public schools
PUblic expense (Applause) , and
E""~ Uterat_ure-books, pamphlets and
-even
at ti.rat 1f many of these must be
iz:k
~ r e are the children under 12.
,
d ~ve a thorough training in
• thaOur difficulty in the past has been
tb t sex questions have been isolat•9!11br e:::?.:e ,~n:.~lated.
been futile. We need public op1mon pri- · of a race of syphilitics. All over the world
vately active among the people. We have
we are facing a deadly disease as old as
seen the failure of the Wisconsin marriage time, with victims far in excess of those of
law.
war or famine. Shall we meet this by a
But, in spite of such failures , this move- policy of silence, or, as citizens should meet
ment has a sound basis, even if we do not it, by crushing it?
comprehend it. The trouble is, we dive
To give you an idea of the spread of this
at various manifestations of the subject in- disease, let me give you a few statistics.
stead of at the subject itself. For instance, The daily average number in the American
we attack prostitution or venereal disease, army for one year of those sick with syphand then get discouraged because we fail.
ilis was larger than that of those sick with
But we fail because today we have a
all other important" diseases combined. And
twentieth century economic situation and
the record of the army is no worse than
an eighteenth century personal relation
the record of civil life. The medical officer
situation. When we get a twentieth century of London reported in 1910 that two and
personal relation situation, all will be well.
one-half times as many infants under one
year of age died from congenital syphilis
as from cholera infantum, · and four times
THE SCOURGE OF VENEREAL DISEASE.
as m a ny as from diphtheria.
The same
By Dr. DeWitt G. Wilcox.
year it was reported that 31.S per cent. of
ET us for a few moments make
the disabilities of the English army were
requisition upon our imaginations from venereal diseases. From 1900 to 1909
and picture a scene fraught with the English army recruiting stations redanger. An ominous ship, flying
jected 1516 applicants because of syphilis
the flag of an unknown nation, has as against 725 because of tuberculosis.
sailed into our harbor. From it come shafts
The time has come for action; we must
of smoke which strike various sections of the do something. ·Abraham Lincoln, when as
city, and there resolve themselves into noxi- a young man he saw the sale of slaves in
ous gases. Wherever they strike, men and
the South, said: " God helping me, I will
women go reeling from the fatal spot, blind, smash this iniquitous thing." When fathers
crippled or insane. Even the onlookers dis- and mothers say · the same of this thing,
cover that when the victims breathe upon
the social evil will be smashed as slavery
them, they too. are visited by this strange was. (Applause.) Our treatment of tubermalady, which culosis has decreased it greatly, and meanthey in turn while syphilis has greatly increased. We
communicate spent thousands of dollars to check the
to others. A bubonic plague. of which two persons died
half-dozen bat- last year, and nothing to check syphilis, of
tleships are· ly- which over 5000 died. ·why -do we not try
ing
in
the to treat syphilis as we do other diseases?
C! n~ ~ a~tinn and registration of Prostitutes
0
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can 1 l,o.n .... •
e go ·at t his business ·!
on in the con cerns of s ex
pted. It is that. in fact,
y draw back upon the
t · undertaking.
our methods of education
attack. based upon those
reach. First, there are
.-or potential fathers
at present do not know
[Uestions concerning the
the sex instinct. These
·ed best through public
in the public schools
-ex;pe.nse (Applause), and
~ k s , pamphlets and
many . of these_ must be
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THE SCOURGE OF VENt:.t\c.,... ... ~--- -
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year it ·was r eported ·that 31.S per cenL. vl
ET us for a few moments make the disabilities of the English army were
requisition upon our imaginations from venereal diseases. From 1900 to 1909
and picture a scene fraught with the English army recruiting stations redanger. An ominous ship, flying
jected 1516 applicants because of syphilis
the flag of an unknown nation, has as against 725 because of tuberculosis.
sailed into our harbor. From it come s·hafts
The time has come for action; we must
of smoke which strike various sections of the do something. ·Abraham Lincoln, when as
city, and there resolve themselves into noxi- a young man he saw the sale of .slaves in
ous gases. Wherever they strike, men and
the South, said : "God helping me, I will
women go reeling from the fatal spot, blind, smash this iniquitous thing." When fathers
crippled or insane. Even the onlookers dis- and mothers say · the same of this thing,
cover that when the victims breathe upon the social evil will be smashed as slavery
them, they too. are visited by this strange was. (Applause.) Our treatment of tubermalady, which culosis has decreased it greatly, and mean. - -1
they in turn while syphilis has greatly increased. We
the'; children under 12.
communi cat e spent thousands of dollars · to check the
a thorough training in
to others. A bubonic plague, of which two persons died
culty in the past has been
half-dozen bat- last year, and nothing to check syphilis, of
estlons have been isolattleships are ly- which over 5000 died. Why - do we not try
irelated.
ing
in
the to treat syphilis as we do other diseases?
·the -·most difficult class
Charle st o w n
Segregation and registration of prostitutes
ple· ·at the adolescent
yard. They are
do no good, but rather harm.
Then what
the greatest difference
well equipped can be done? First, there is the cure of
parents know enough to
and
manned. those already infected.
The cure of
dren, and many who do
But the officers gonorrhea and syphilis is very difficult, but
,re the task. Therefore,
and crew are
it is possible.
Public opinion must be
t to the parents in the
sitting idle on aroused to overcome the things that make
n.gs this instruction, I
the
d e ck , possible these diseases. The greatest hope.ize · that there will be
watching
the fulness of race betterment lies in prevention
c1i that instruction, if
en e m y, an d
rather than c ure.
Dr. Cabot - as outlined
h
will not succeed. The
make no at- the methods of preventive education,
nght by parents can be
tempt
fire a
of
is
e_ churches, the Y. M. C. gun. Why? The answer is: "Wetodo not especially the youth. When self-control betaught, as
Spartans taught it, it will
and girls' clubs, which know to whom the strange ship belongs, come a sixth s ense.
ods of attack at present. and we fear that by firing we may injure
Then we must have one standard of more when we shall equip a friendly nation."
ality for men and women.
(Applause. )
in the public schools.
My friends, a situation as bad as that, or And when a man falls from that standard
prepared to take that
worse, is threatening us. And you and I he . should be meted out the same social
. the machinery, the
- iced public opinion. and all right-thinking citizens are standing punishment that now is given to the woman
by just as foolishly idle as was that imag- alone.
exist we should court inary crew. Tonight, in Boston, there will
Finally, we must have full publicity. The
it.
· methods of attack. be spread a noxious venom which will send time has come in which venereal diseases
there is first of all the disease all over the city; 9431 prostitutes should be reported, for the greatest good
c of the Anglo-Saxon will tonight make poss ible the infection of . of the greatest number.''· Physicians used to
doubt it gets a law 10,000 immoral men. Of these 10,000 liber- • hesitate to repo1;t ttiber9ulosis, but now we
be supported by pub- tines a large percentage are or will be in· . h"ii.ve found it is.:,_better'..that the few should
mpt to create public fected with a disease which they wm· hand suffer than that.:"great numbers should be
r law is impossible. down to their mistresses, their wives, their exterminated, and that is true of venereal
.b ject of sex so far has children and their children's chil.iren. And, ... disEiase also. Every respectable physician
how does · that affect you? Wait,_till one of~'t->· would endorse a law requiring this reportthese young men asks for your dau~hter in. -- ing, _-:putting the patient, as it were, on paand answers
marriag_, and makes you the noble-·-ancestor.
e
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(Continued on Page 4.)
By Dr. DeWitt G. Wilcox.
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FORD HALL FOLKS
2
THE QUESTIONS
Q: Isn't it true that neither sex education nor a marriage certificate wlil prevent
these evils while economic slavery continues?
A (Dr. Cabot) : It is true that as long as
we do not see the relation of the parts of
the community to each other we shall not
see the relation of certain flaws in the public health to the affairs of the community .
. But you refer to economic slavery, and I to
intellectual.
Q (Same):
Will not sex education
stir the boys and girls to an undue interest
which will take their minds from their other
studies?
A (Dr. Wilcox): Not if it is presented
rightly. It may for a time, while it is
no vel.
Q (Same): Doesn't the woman know the
law against adultery, and if so, why does
she break it?
A (].\-Ir. Cummings): There is no answer
·to that question that would cover all cases.
There is not enough economic pressure · in
heaven or hell to cause the fall of some
women.
Q: ·wouldn't the evil be greatly lessened
by a change in economic conditions permitting everyone to marry young?
A (Dr. Wilcox) : I think that would do
a very great deal to lessen it.
Q: Is it possible to procure a la w in advance of public opinion, and isn't law itself
one of the best ways of keeping morality
up. to a certain level?
A (Dr. Cabot) : Laws are passed constantly without public opinion behind them,
and the y always become dead letters.
Q : Will you explain more fully the importance of associating the study of sex
with t he s tudy of biology?
A (Dr. Wilcox) : Only as pertaining to
these diseases. ·We are simply feeling our
way along this subject as to what is best.
Q (Mr. Victorson): Is not the difference
of morality between the sexes rather organic than otherwise?
A (Dr. Cabot) : The essential differences
of the sex instinct are responsible for certain conditions which we find today. We
must manage the manifestations differently
in the different sexes. But we are entitled
to expect the same level on both sides, even
if we arrive by different methods.
Q : Is there not already a law in Massachusetts obliging physicians to report these
diseases?
A (Dr. Cabot and Dr. Wilcox) : I do not
know of any.
Q: Isn't the practice of polygamy the
real cause of the venereal disease germ, ·
and if no t . what did cause it?
·A (Dr. Wilcox): We do not know; the
disease is as old as time.
Q: What do you think of the educational
Yalue of "Damaged Goods ?"
A (Mr. Cummings): I cannot answer
personally, but I have found from others
that the effect was educational and deterrent.
Q: Do you think the teaching of sex
hygiene in co-educational schools would be
effective and desirable?
A (Dr. Cabot): Not in the present state
of our machinery. We may come to it.
Q:, · When we have settled all these questions of -s ex, will we not be in danger of being overrun by· a surplus population?
A (Dr. Ca·b ot): Quality rather than
quantity is what counts. I should not -be
much afraid.
Q: Could any ordinary •
person reco,g nize
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women catering to the worst
men? (Applause.)
A (Dr. Cabot): I believe that the
styles are undesirable, but they are·
temporary. We must train our men
women to realize the connection of sei
all of life.
_
Q: If after maturity young men
women are kept apart, isn't there
that they will practise self-abuse? .
A (Dr. 'W ilcox): I do not think so,
sarily. Those things are begun ·
puberty when indulged in at all.
Q: Will the granting of woman
have any effect on the moral question.
A (Mr. Cummings): I think it
drive some pretty undesirable people·
politics. (Applause.)
Q: Could not the doctors cure ,
by salvarsan if it were put at a mott
sonable price?
A ( Dr. Ca,bot) : It costs 75 cents or
to be treated today.
I don't belie"
could cut it below that. because ,.
pays $2 for every treatment.
Q: What do you think of the e ..
Christian
Science in
(Laughter.)
A (Dr. Cabot): You are out of
I will say that I don't see how no
cure something. (Laughter and aP
Q:. Wouldn't Ellen Key's doctrine
love help solve these problems? ·
A (Dr. Cabot): I don't unde
Ellen Kev teaches free love. (A
S1ie seeni:s to me to have added
the proper understanding of the
.o f the sexes, and I think it is
stuff.
Q (Mr. Sackmary) : __ _
prostitution among the so-called
ciety th a n amon ~ the poor?
A (Dr. Wilcox) : I don't know;
we determine?
Q: Isn't the Catholic churc~ ,
mistake in oppo.ing sex educatiOil•
A (Dr. Cabot) : I don't lrnow th:
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heaven or hell to cause the fall of sorne
wornen.
Q: ·wouldn't th e eYil be greatly lessened
by a change in economic conditions permitting everyone to marry young?
A (Dr. Wilcox): I think that would do
a very great deal to lessen it.
Q: Is it possible to procure a law in advance of public opinion, and isn't law itself
one of the best ways of keeping morality
up to a certain level?
A (Dr. Cabot): Laws are passed constantly without public opinion behind them,
and they always become dead letters.
Q: Will you explain more fully the importance of associating the study of sex
with the study of biology?
A (Dr. Cabot): The point is this: if we
undertake to teach sex simply as the manifestations of sex in the human race we try
to teach something too difficult and complicated by- emotion. On the other hand, children brought to the study of sex through
the study of biology see it as a thing easy
to understand.
Q: What proportion of syphilitic cases
come outside of sexual causes?
A (Dr. Cabot): The so-called accidental
cases are 15 or 20 per cent. , and they may
be higher when we include the mildest
cases.
Q (Mr. C-Osgrove): How <lo you ho, e to
p
throw light on this subject when men are
suffering
from
ecclesiastical
tyranny?
(Laughter.)
A (Mr. Cummings): All you have to do
is to come down to my church. There is
plenty of . room.
Q: Don't they keep the army in ignorance so that they will be willing to kill their
fellow-beings, and isn't it this same ignorance which causes them to contract
venereal disease?
A_._ (Mr. Cummings): You have put your
finger on a real fact. The question is a "fair
one. (Applause.)
Q: Have we any evidence to show that
the atmosphere of impurity in the public
schools is improving?
A (Dr. \'Vilcox) : It is like a great many
diseases which we think are on the increase
because we recognize them more. It is
more a;;parent than real.
Q: Do you honestly mean that it would
be wise for physicians to do away with privileged communications, and what would be
the result?
-~~
'----.
:---
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Yalue of "Damaged Goods?"
A (Mr. Cummings): I cannot ans,Yer
11ersonally. but J have found from others
that the effect was educational and deterrent.
Q: Do you think the teaching of sex
hygiene in co-educational schools would be
effective and desirable?
A (Dr. Cabot): Not in the present state
of our machinery. We may ·c ome to it.
Q: . When we have settled all these questions of -sex, will we not be in danger of being overrun by a surplus population?
A (Dr. Cabot) : Quality rather than
quantity is what counts. I should not be
much afraid.
Q: Could any ordinary - erson reco,g nize
p
the symptoms of syphilis in others?
A (Dr. ·wilcox): If he were instructed,
it would not be difficult to recognize certain
stages.
Q (Mr. Sagerman): Would not licensing
prostitution reduce the disease?
A (Dr. Wilcox) : . No.
Q: What . proportion of blindness arises
from venereal diseases?
A: (Dr. Wilcox): About 40 to 60 per
cent. of congenital blindness.
Q: Have we any statistics as to whether
prohibition in Maine· has reduced venereal
disease?
A (Dr. Cabot) : I do not believe there
are any figures, though ·1 am strongly of
the oPinion · that alcohol is one of the most
potent stumbling blocks which leads downhill to venereal disease. ( Applause.) (Dr.
Wilcox) :I think what Dr. Cabot has said is
emphatically true.
Q: How do you explain that our forefather~ have been preaching morality for
4000 years, and immorality today is worse
than ever?
A (Mr. Cummings): 1 don't think it is.
Q: Would not reporting venereal disease
cause more people than ever to stay away
from the doctors?
A (Dr. Wilcox) : No doubt a certain
number would do so. It hasn't worked out
that way with tuberculosis.
Q: If you instruct children only when
they ask for information, will you not start
a curiosity which will be satisfied wrongly
by other children?
A (Mr. Cummings): Yo~1 can make
wrong U:se of good informa/'on, but there
is no other way of heading off the worst
results.
·
Q: Isn't the present style of dress among
cure s~n~etl~ing.- (L-;~gl.1·t~r-·; 1;d 1101 hi~
Q: 'iYouldn't Ellen Key·s doe t:i; 1Pla111
love h elp sol Ye thes e problems '?
e Of
A (Dr. Cabot): I don't understa
Ellen Key teaches free love. r c\. n4
Slie seerns to me to have added PP
the proper understanding of the ~ 11
.o f the sexes, and I think it is fi eJ&:
stuff.
rst
Q (Mr. Sackmary): Isn't
prostitution among the so-called
ciety than among the poor?
A (Dr. Wilcox) : I don't know. h0
we determine?
' · •
Q : Isn't the Catholic church ma.
mistake in opposing sex education?
A (Dr. Cabot): I don't know that •i t
•t
oppose 1 .
Q: Aren't the up-to-date dances
sible for a lot of immorality?
A (M~. Cummings): I believe in the
of dancmg ; I run two or three dance
·
·
m ~onnec t·
10n with the Benevolent
termty _of ~hurches, and I have a good
of dancmg m m y church. I am sorry to
~hat_ some of the dances _whi_ch have
'.n smce I became e_nthus1_astic on the
Ject are perfectly mexpllcable to Ill!.
don't see why anyone should want to
them.
Q: Do you think Darwin would co •
us the higher or lower animals, in view
the absence of these diseases except a ·
human beings?
A (Dr. Cabot) : I never asked
(Laughter.)
Q: In view of your idea that law il
good unless backed up by public op· '
what do you think of the wiping out o!
red-light district in Washington?
A (Dr. Cabot) : There is plenty of
lie opinion behind that bill. You can
out segregated districts and the whole
is back of it.
Q: Doesn't the child-bearing functim
the woman justify stronger condemna
on her in going astray than on the man!
A (Mr. Cummings): Historically. yes:
my own opinion the moral weight is en
ly in the other direction. The man is a
always the aggressor and the womans
vastly more than he~ share even under
most
satisfactory
circumstances. (
plause.)
Q (Miss Smith) : If education is
greatest preventive, why don't doctors
a higher standard of morality?
(Continued on Page. 4.)
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Dr. Cabot's
You do not
democracy if you are not willing
tile people with full knowl edge of
dl}ngS that are ,·ital to th eir wel-
j,l!IC-usse d
au:nd1 er e.
..-ns very " ell t.'11,en.
. ·:
•
,.
*
. ,,. it is that Ford
:r:atothe services ofHall ~an
Iea~mg
CODl~ke
us last Sund'.'ly mght.
a l!zle th
all sp neY and wi thout price!
,.
*
oYer how much surplus
,rant to ,set the Ford Hall Town
- bave ""O o
.
" 5 a citizen, and levy a
upon your own unex.
.
can you beat that for
(IOJlfess1on.d unadulterated de11cacy ?
.
.
•
ocracY !n
*
*
" .
t d to publish a doubl~ sized
~e v~~ber of this magazme ~s
th • d'tors can a-et it ready. It will
1
e twenty dollars more th an th e
"
t e
Mr. Fraser, the :>Id gentlecarries a cane and sits on the
O
started a subscription for that
paying a dollar fo_r tw:enty extra
circulate among h1s friends. Mr.
e the second subscription. We
hteen more. Who is next? You can
on Editor Dreier to make that issue
worth while.
_
,.
*
*
5ma«1ay, the 22d, is within one day of the
9IStll universary of these Il!eetings. How
,nm4erful}y we have been blessed, and how
tJ1Sakfu1 we are! Eagerly and joyously we
.._. forward into our seventh year.
The
Jllllbny grows more interesting all the tim~.
We lft all agog now to know what there is
la store fof us around the next turn of the
,.._ ls our next venture to be a Credit
t.".i.a! . And what after that-the coCil;llftSHTe store perhaps.
What delightful
t mo•
·
a·
~gi~t{a!ed
tssue.
)Nlllpeets!
--
* . '"
*
Jlr. Victorson made a remark at the las1
Nka" lfeeting that pleased me immensely
=
~ I disagreed with what he was say•
He feared that if we attempted to havE
..,- business dealings with each other WE
Jeopardize the beautiful spiritual f:l
t ~ that has grown up among us. I sa1c
,,
take much stock in any spiritua
~ that wouldn't stand the strains inci
- :;.. 1o th e necessities of daily living. Bu·
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A UNIQUE TAX.
By James P. Roberts. _
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The Ways and Means Committee of Ford
Hall Town Meeting has been facing for
some weeks one of the most difficult problems in · all government-that of laying a
just tax. The committee believes the solution was found last Thursday evening.
The Meeting estimates that, for the balance of the season, at the least it should
raise and expend $170. All the citizens feel
and demand the right of participating in
·these expenses. How to assess ourselves
equitably or, rather, how to contribute to
the cause in a manner that shall take on
the forms of government taxation, is the
problem.. And, as happened before, the initial suggestion toward its solution comes
from an old friend of Ford Hall, Mr. George
B. Gallup. As worked out, it is this:
A weekly poll-tax would not be jusf as
it bears unduly upon those whose incomes
fall below the average; it . means nothing
to "malefactors of great wealth" if any are
skulking about the Meeting house. Again.
a uniform tax on ·all income, regardless of
a person's expenses, is also not quite justas it will be seen that a young lady earning,
say, $10 weekly, may be able to save more
than many a married man with a famil y
who is receiving $25 per week. Therefore,
a tax · on surplus; upon what each may be
able to lay by from his weekly stipend, may
be the solution .of the problem.
So the
Meeting adopted a "tax on surplus incomes"
as its ideal of a just form of taxation.
And, when you stop to analyze it, that is
about what the new Federal income tax
amounts to; · for its $3,000 and $4,000 exemptions give even the rich man a chance
to deduct his living expenses-if he really
cares to live within these amounts.
Ford Hall, too, i-s not so suspicious as
Uncle Sam; for each citizen is to be allowed
to decide upon his own surplus income, is
to take counsel with his own conscience
and then fix his own weekly tax-as the
Lord hath prospered him. No inquisitions,
no affidavits, no oaths-just a personal con+,..;h,,tirn,
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possible agencies for reform could be
·. brought to her; and if she reverted to her
old habits she should be imprisoned:
Let me repeat, we are facing a position
threatening our physical and moral stability. Are we going to hide our heads in the
sand, or join that great army whose slogan
shall be to fight this be~st to its death?
THE
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTHOOD.
By Rev. Edward Cummings.
~
ECAUSE I feel that I have alJsolutely no right to come before
this great meeting to bring you
nothing but generalization with
which to meet our responsibilities as actual or potential parents, I am going to use five minutes of my time to call
your attention to the ways in which we can
meet the responsibility of being well in- .
formed ourselves and in a position to · inform those over whom we act as guardians.
(The speaker then · commented in detail
on
the
reading list of
the Massachusetts
Society
for Sex Education.) Here I
consider there
is a definite
answer as to
how we are to
meet our responsibili t i e s
until p u b l i C
opinion has
moulded itself
in law-.
The
Society for Sex Education is ready to give
all the available information in the best
form.
When I was in London, at Toynbee Hall,
it was at a time .,. !.t eE::i all the city was ter!
rorized by Jack · : ~:;,..... iupper. I was put on
a vigilance committee of residents to patrol
of the larger family of city and ·
nation-above all, the prototype of
votion of the strong to the weat
has given us all our progress and
alone can prevent weakness ancr-.
weak strong and the strong stro
the whole world better and better. .
LAST WEEK'S TOWN
(Continued from Page 3.)
T·he newspapers have been very
the Town Meeting, and with the_
of our publicity committee we are
to have a good many notices. Miss
gave us a fine write-up in The ·
and at last week's meeting Miss
The Post became a citizen .
*
*
*
*
*
*
When our income tax has got.
working order a large part of it;
used to he-lp make F-0rd Hall Folks
ly the organ of the Town Meeting 88
of the Sunday meetings. Watch.
sults of our activities!
Women citizens of the Town M
tlie sergeant-at-arms, whatever the
tees ' report, and REMOVE YOU:f:
THE QUESTIONS.
(Continued from Page 1.
A (Dr. Cabot): I believe on
the medical profession is far freer
taint of venereal disease than •.
group · of people. In ·medical sch•
less than 2 per cent.-far less
college.
Q (Mr. Bodfish): What would
gest to change our 18th century
lations to 20th century?
A (Dr. Cabot): A free disCU
ample knowledege of that upon
sonal relations depend.
Q: Do you think prolonged·
this line is curable, and what do
of the patent medicines .which
cure it?
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a tax on surplus; upon what each may be
able to lay by from his weekly stipend , may
be the solution .of the problem.
So the
Meeting adopted a "tax on surplus incomes"
as its ideal of a just form of taxation.
And, when you stop to analyze it, that is
about what the new Federal income tax
amounts to; · for its $3,000 and $4,000 exemptions give even the rich man a chance
to deduct his living expenses-if he really
cares to live within these amounts.
Ford Hall, too, is not so suspicious as
Uncle Sam; for each citizen is to be allowed
to decide upon his own surplus income, is
to take counsel with his own conscience
and then fix his own weekly tax-as the
Lord hath prospered him. No inquisitions,
no affidavits, no oaths-just a personal contribution of the 5, 10 or 25 cents that the
'Town needs from each citizen to close the
year without a loan order.
Mr. Gallup also , proposed a unique en·velope system by which the taxpayer alone
will know what his tax is, and this, too,
· ·was adopted.
It will be interesting to watch the Treas·urer's reports and see how a tax based on
'honor and loyalty works in the most progressive Town on earth.
An attempt to
raise $17 per week among one hundred of
Brookline's "best" citizens wouldn't produce an earth tremor of interest to anybody; but at Ford Hall it will be a matter
for world-wide comment and study.
L.lU .L.1. J
consider there
( Continued from Page 1.)
is a definite
A (Dr. Cabot) : I belieYe on
answer as to the medical professi~n is far free:1how we are to taint of venereal disease than 'It
meet our re- group of people. In medical schQQ
sponsibili t i e s less than 2 per cent.-far less t~
until p u b 1 i c college.
opinion has
Q (Mr. Bodfish): What WOUid
moulded itself gest to change our 18th century
in law.
The lations to 20th century?
Society for Sex Education is ready to give
A (Dr. Cabot) : A free disc
all the available information in the best ample knowledege of that upon 1r
sonal relations depend.
form.
Q : Do you think prolonged
When I was in London, at Toynbee Hall,
it was at a time when all the city was terthis line is curable, and what do
rorized by Jack the Ripper. I was put on of the patent medicines which p
a vigilance committee of residents to patrol cure it?
A (Dr. Cabot): It is practican1
certain streets in which these crimes had
been committed.
'iVe discovered that a
curable. Patent medicines probabl)
lamp-post was worth several policemen and cured anyone.
Q: Is it possible syphilis could
didn't cost nearly so much. Crime and vice,
we found, flourished in the dark, and light mant in the individual and appea,
children?
killed them.
A (Dr. Wilcox): Syphilis wbfl,
.An'Cl. that is precisely what the people in the
Society for · Sex Education have been doing tracted gives very definite indicatlaa
for us-turning on the light. To be sure, presence, but it may be so slight
revolting things are disclosed at first. But overlooked or forgotten.
keeping things dark is playin~ tnto the
Q: What good would it be to hale
devil's hands. Having once eaten of the lot of laws against prostitution?
tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
A (Mr. Coleman): Nobody he!!
there is nothing to do but to have more more.
knowledge-more light. The effect of the
Q : How many women become p
sunlight of truth upon these vices is germi- of their own accord, and aren't
cidal, destroying many of them, and it a dozen men to match every wo
stimulates besides the wholesome growth of falls?
virtue. When more courageous physicians
A (Dr. Wilcox) :
like these have talked to more eager people jority of instances it comes back
like you, those virtues will become strong ignorance of the girl, and that is the
and vigorous.
we urge this education.
··
We need not feel that we are destroying
Q: Wouldn't it be a good ide1
romance and chivalry by turning on the
Tolstoy's "Resurrection" to the list
light. Quite the contrary; they are being Society for Sex Education?
A (Mr. Cummings): Yes, I think
killed and blighted by the darkness of ignorQ: Do you believe enforced re ·
ance, which brings into our- homes these
causes of suffering and disease. It is our of venereal diseases would be a
duty to see to it that our children have this weapon?
A (Dr. Cabot):
information ; that we have the information
ourselves; because it will add new dignity of public opinion. We do not want
and ,b eauty and worth to love and the marthese fellows to the quacks and OI
riage relationship.
Parents then will re- clerks. I think with Dr. Wilcox that
alize that the responsibility for the future . getting there.
rests upon them. The home will be enQ : Which is the greatest crime;
nobled, and become more than ever before robbery, or sex immorality?
the great, vital unit of society, out of which
A (Dr. Wilcox) : That is for the
society must be b,uilt, and the great image
to answer. (Laughter.)
THE SCOURGE OF VENEREAL. DISEASE.
(Continued from Page 1.)
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If the drinking of alcoholic beverages
were absolutely abolished the social evil
would be ripped up the back and its spinal
cord severed. If sensuality and alcoholism
were today abolished from the face of the
earth chronic invalidism, deformities, premature deaths, blindness, feeble-mindedness
and insanity would be as rare in the human
race as they are now among lower animals.
role, under the doctor's supervision. Moreover, the clerk having charge of marriage
certificates should have to consult the list
of those thus on parole, and grant no certificates to those on it until their names had
been removed. (.Applause.)
,-·_
I believe every prostitute should '. lie regarded as diseased, and taken to a .hospital
for cure. During her stay there'fthe best
,
.
·1
E. L Grime• Compaay,
122
Pearl Street, Boston, Mass.
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A MAGAZINE OF NEIGHBORLINESS
NUMBER
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18
FEBRUARY 22, 1914
BREEDING MEN* The Problems of Sex Education
·· •("
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By DR. HUGH CABOT
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PRICE FIVE CENTS
WILL not take up your time or
mine with the argument whether
or not we should discuss sex
education. If people believe in
the policy of silence they do not
'illeve in democracy, which is based funinentally upon the right of each one of us
blow the fact. Unless we believe in the
llty of the average man and woman to
e to a sound opinion, then we do not
Ieve in the policy to which this country
committed, or that we ourselves are to
trnsted.
There are many pro•
blems in this topic
llfch I should like to discuss. Only a few
them, however, can I take up toni• ht.
g
l'lt. how shall we go ·at this business?
r_little education in the concerns of sex
tter been attempted. It is that, in fact,
_ h makes many draw back upon the
of this great undertaking.
We may divide our methods of education
three lines of attack, based upon those
we wish to reach. First, there are ·
adults, the actual or potential fathers
11lothers, who at present do not know
Of the vital questions concerning the
&Dd abuses of the sex instinct. These
can be reached best through public
or lectures in the public schools
PUblic expense (Applause) , and
E""~ Uterat_ure-books, pamphlets and
-even
at ti.rat 1f many of these must be
iz:k
~ r e are the children under 12.
,
d ~ve a thorough training in
• thaOur difficulty in the past has been
tb t sex questions have been isolat•9!11br e:::?.:e ,~n:.~lated.
been futile. We need public op1mon pri- · of a race of syphilitics. All over the world
vately active among the people. We have
we are facing a deadly disease as old as
seen the failure of the Wisconsin marriage time, with victims far in excess of those of
law.
war or famine. Shall we meet this by a
But, in spite of such failures , this move- policy of silence, or, as citizens should meet
ment has a sound basis, even if we do not it, by crushing it?
comprehend it. The trouble is, we dive
To give you an idea of the spread of this
at various manifestations of the subject in- disease, let me give you a few statistics.
stead of at the subject itself. For instance, The daily average number in the American
we attack prostitution or venereal disease, army for one year of those sick with syphand then get discouraged because we fail.
ilis was larger than that of those sick with
But we fail because today we have a
all other important" diseases combined. And
twentieth century economic situation and
the record of the army is no worse than
an eighteenth century personal relation
the record of civil life. The medical officer
situation. When we get a twentieth century of London reported in 1910 that two and
personal relation situation, all will be well.
one-half times as many infants under one
year of age died from congenital syphilis
as from cholera infantum, · and four times
THE SCOURGE OF VENEREAL DISEASE.
as m a ny as from diphtheria.
The same
By Dr. DeWitt G. Wilcox.
year it was reported that 31.S per cent. of
ET us for a few moments make
the disabilities of the English army were
requisition upon our imaginations from venereal diseases. From 1900 to 1909
and picture a scene fraught with the English army recruiting stations redanger. An ominous ship, flying
jected 1516 applicants because of syphilis
the flag of an unknown nation, has as against 725 because of tuberculosis.
sailed into our harbor. From it come shafts
The time has come for action; we must
of smoke which strike various sections of the do something. ·Abraham Lincoln, when as
city, and there resolve themselves into noxi- a young man he saw the sale of slaves in
ous gases. Wherever they strike, men and
the South, said: " God helping me, I will
women go reeling from the fatal spot, blind, smash this iniquitous thing." When fathers
crippled or insane. Even the onlookers dis- and mothers say · the same of this thing,
cover that when the victims breathe upon
the social evil will be smashed as slavery
them, they too. are visited by this strange was. (Applause.) Our treatment of tubermalady, which culosis has decreased it greatly, and meanthey in turn while syphilis has greatly increased. We
communicate spent thousands of dollars to check the
to others. A bubonic plague. of which two persons died
half-dozen bat- last year, and nothing to check syphilis, of
tleships are· ly- which over 5000 died. ·why -do we not try
ing
in
the to treat syphilis as we do other diseases?
C! n~ ~ a~tinn and registration of Prostitutes
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can 1 l,o.n .... •
e go ·at t his business ·!
on in the con cerns of s ex
pted. It is that. in fact,
y draw back upon the
t · undertaking.
our methods of education
attack. based upon those
reach. First, there are
.-or potential fathers
at present do not know
[Uestions concerning the
the sex instinct. These
·ed best through public
in the public schools
-ex;pe.nse (Applause), and
~ k s , pamphlets and
many . of these_ must be
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year it ·was r eported ·that 31.S per cenL. vl
ET us for a few moments make the disabilities of the English army were
requisition upon our imaginations from venereal diseases. From 1900 to 1909
and picture a scene fraught with the English army recruiting stations redanger. An ominous ship, flying
jected 1516 applicants because of syphilis
the flag of an unknown nation, has as against 725 because of tuberculosis.
sailed into our harbor. From it come s·hafts
The time has come for action; we must
of smoke which strike various sections of the do something. ·Abraham Lincoln, when as
city, and there resolve themselves into noxi- a young man he saw the sale of .slaves in
ous gases. Wherever they strike, men and
the South, said : "God helping me, I will
women go reeling from the fatal spot, blind, smash this iniquitous thing." When fathers
crippled or insane. Even the onlookers dis- and mothers say · the same of this thing,
cover that when the victims breathe upon the social evil will be smashed as slavery
them, they too. are visited by this strange was. (Applause.) Our treatment of tubermalady, which culosis has decreased it greatly, and mean. - -1
they in turn while syphilis has greatly increased. We
the'; children under 12.
communi cat e spent thousands of dollars · to check the
a thorough training in
to others. A bubonic plague, of which two persons died
culty in the past has been
half-dozen bat- last year, and nothing to check syphilis, of
estlons have been isolattleships are ly- which over 5000 died. Why - do we not try
irelated.
ing
in
the to treat syphilis as we do other diseases?
·the -·most difficult class
Charle st o w n
Segregation and registration of prostitutes
ple· ·at the adolescent
yard. They are
do no good, but rather harm.
Then what
the greatest difference
well equipped can be done? First, there is the cure of
parents know enough to
and
manned. those already infected.
The cure of
dren, and many who do
But the officers gonorrhea and syphilis is very difficult, but
,re the task. Therefore,
and crew are
it is possible.
Public opinion must be
t to the parents in the
sitting idle on aroused to overcome the things that make
n.gs this instruction, I
the
d e ck , possible these diseases. The greatest hope.ize · that there will be
watching
the fulness of race betterment lies in prevention
c1i that instruction, if
en e m y, an d
rather than c ure.
Dr. Cabot - as outlined
h
will not succeed. The
make no at- the methods of preventive education,
nght by parents can be
tempt
fire a
of
is
e_ churches, the Y. M. C. gun. Why? The answer is: "Wetodo not especially the youth. When self-control betaught, as
Spartans taught it, it will
and girls' clubs, which know to whom the strange ship belongs, come a sixth s ense.
ods of attack at present. and we fear that by firing we may injure
Then we must have one standard of more when we shall equip a friendly nation."
ality for men and women.
(Applause. )
in the public schools.
My friends, a situation as bad as that, or And when a man falls from that standard
prepared to take that
worse, is threatening us. And you and I he . should be meted out the same social
. the machinery, the
- iced public opinion. and all right-thinking citizens are standing punishment that now is given to the woman
by just as foolishly idle as was that imag- alone.
exist we should court inary crew. Tonight, in Boston, there will
Finally, we must have full publicity. The
it.
· methods of attack. be spread a noxious venom which will send time has come in which venereal diseases
there is first of all the disease all over the city; 9431 prostitutes should be reported, for the greatest good
c of the Anglo-Saxon will tonight make poss ible the infection of . of the greatest number.''· Physicians used to
doubt it gets a law 10,000 immoral men. Of these 10,000 liber- • hesitate to repo1;t ttiber9ulosis, but now we
be supported by pub- tines a large percentage are or will be in· . h"ii.ve found it is.:,_better'..that the few should
mpt to create public fected with a disease which they wm· hand suffer than that.:"great numbers should be
r law is impossible. down to their mistresses, their wives, their exterminated, and that is true of venereal
.b ject of sex so far has children and their children's chil.iren. And, ... disEiase also. Every respectable physician
how does · that affect you? Wait,_till one of~'t->· would endorse a law requiring this reportthese young men asks for your dau~hter in. -- ing, _-:putting the patient, as it were, on paand answers
marriag_, and makes you the noble-·-ancestor.
e
"i
(Continued on Page 4.)
By Dr. DeWitt G. Wilcox.
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FORD HALL FOLKS
2
THE QUESTIONS
Q: Isn't it true that neither sex education nor a marriage certificate wlil prevent
these evils while economic slavery continues?
A (Dr. Cabot) : It is true that as long as
we do not see the relation of the parts of
the community to each other we shall not
see the relation of certain flaws in the public health to the affairs of the community .
. But you refer to economic slavery, and I to
intellectual.
Q (Same):
Will not sex education
stir the boys and girls to an undue interest
which will take their minds from their other
studies?
A (Dr. Wilcox): Not if it is presented
rightly. It may for a time, while it is
no vel.
Q (Same): Doesn't the woman know the
law against adultery, and if so, why does
she break it?
A (].\-Ir. Cummings): There is no answer
·to that question that would cover all cases.
There is not enough economic pressure · in
heaven or hell to cause the fall of some
women.
Q: ·wouldn't the evil be greatly lessened
by a change in economic conditions permitting everyone to marry young?
A (Dr. Wilcox) : I think that would do
a very great deal to lessen it.
Q: Is it possible to procure a la w in advance of public opinion, and isn't law itself
one of the best ways of keeping morality
up. to a certain level?
A (Dr. Cabot) : Laws are passed constantly without public opinion behind them,
and the y always become dead letters.
Q : Will you explain more fully the importance of associating the study of sex
with t he s tudy of biology?
A (Dr. Wilcox) : Only as pertaining to
these diseases. ·We are simply feeling our
way along this subject as to what is best.
Q (Mr. Victorson): Is not the difference
of morality between the sexes rather organic than otherwise?
A (Dr. Cabot) : The essential differences
of the sex instinct are responsible for certain conditions which we find today. We
must manage the manifestations differently
in the different sexes. But we are entitled
to expect the same level on both sides, even
if we arrive by different methods.
Q : Is there not already a law in Massachusetts obliging physicians to report these
diseases?
A (Dr. Cabot and Dr. Wilcox) : I do not
know of any.
Q: Isn't the practice of polygamy the
real cause of the venereal disease germ, ·
and if no t . what did cause it?
·A (Dr. Wilcox): We do not know; the
disease is as old as time.
Q: What do you think of the educational
Yalue of "Damaged Goods ?"
A (Mr. Cummings): I cannot answer
personally, but I have found from others
that the effect was educational and deterrent.
Q: Do you think the teaching of sex
hygiene in co-educational schools would be
effective and desirable?
A (Dr. Cabot): Not in the present state
of our machinery. We may come to it.
Q:, · When we have settled all these questions of -s ex, will we not be in danger of being overrun by· a surplus population?
A (Dr. Ca·b ot): Quality rather than
quantity is what counts. I should not -be
much afraid.
Q: Could any ordinary •
person reco,g nize
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women catering to the worst
men? (Applause.)
A (Dr. Cabot): I believe that the
styles are undesirable, but they are·
temporary. We must train our men
women to realize the connection of sei
all of life.
_
Q: If after maturity young men
women are kept apart, isn't there
that they will practise self-abuse? .
A (Dr. 'W ilcox): I do not think so,
sarily. Those things are begun ·
puberty when indulged in at all.
Q: Will the granting of woman
have any effect on the moral question.
A (Mr. Cummings): I think it
drive some pretty undesirable people·
politics. (Applause.)
Q: Could not the doctors cure ,
by salvarsan if it were put at a mott
sonable price?
A ( Dr. Ca,bot) : It costs 75 cents or
to be treated today.
I don't belie"
could cut it below that. because ,.
pays $2 for every treatment.
Q: What do you think of the e ..
Christian
Science in
(Laughter.)
A (Dr. Cabot): You are out of
I will say that I don't see how no
cure something. (Laughter and aP
Q:. Wouldn't Ellen Key's doctrine
love help solve these problems? ·
A (Dr. Cabot): I don't unde
Ellen Kev teaches free love. (A
S1ie seeni:s to me to have added
the proper understanding of the
.o f the sexes, and I think it is
stuff.
Q (Mr. Sackmary) : __ _
prostitution among the so-called
ciety th a n amon ~ the poor?
A (Dr. Wilcox) : I don't know;
we determine?
Q: Isn't the Catholic churc~ ,
mistake in oppo.ing sex educatiOil•
A (Dr. Cabot) : I don't lrnow th:
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heaven or hell to cause the fall of sorne
wornen.
Q: ·wouldn't th e eYil be greatly lessened
by a change in economic conditions permitting everyone to marry young?
A (Dr. Wilcox): I think that would do
a very great deal to lessen it.
Q: Is it possible to procure a law in advance of public opinion, and isn't law itself
one of the best ways of keeping morality
up to a certain level?
A (Dr. Cabot): Laws are passed constantly without public opinion behind them,
and they always become dead letters.
Q: Will you explain more fully the importance of associating the study of sex
with the study of biology?
A (Dr. Cabot): The point is this: if we
undertake to teach sex simply as the manifestations of sex in the human race we try
to teach something too difficult and complicated by- emotion. On the other hand, children brought to the study of sex through
the study of biology see it as a thing easy
to understand.
Q: What proportion of syphilitic cases
come outside of sexual causes?
A (Dr. Cabot): The so-called accidental
cases are 15 or 20 per cent. , and they may
be higher when we include the mildest
cases.
Q (Mr. C-Osgrove): How <lo you ho, e to
p
throw light on this subject when men are
suffering
from
ecclesiastical
tyranny?
(Laughter.)
A (Mr. Cummings): All you have to do
is to come down to my church. There is
plenty of . room.
Q: Don't they keep the army in ignorance so that they will be willing to kill their
fellow-beings, and isn't it this same ignorance which causes them to contract
venereal disease?
A_._ (Mr. Cummings): You have put your
finger on a real fact. The question is a "fair
one. (Applause.)
Q: Have we any evidence to show that
the atmosphere of impurity in the public
schools is improving?
A (Dr. \'Vilcox) : It is like a great many
diseases which we think are on the increase
because we recognize them more. It is
more a;;parent than real.
Q: Do you honestly mean that it would
be wise for physicians to do away with privileged communications, and what would be
the result?
-~~
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:---
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Yalue of "Damaged Goods?"
A (Mr. Cummings): I cannot ans,Yer
11ersonally. but J have found from others
that the effect was educational and deterrent.
Q: Do you think the teaching of sex
hygiene in co-educational schools would be
effective and desirable?
A (Dr. Cabot): Not in the present state
of our machinery. We may ·c ome to it.
Q: . When we have settled all these questions of -sex, will we not be in danger of being overrun by a surplus population?
A (Dr. Cabot) : Quality rather than
quantity is what counts. I should not be
much afraid.
Q: Could any ordinary - erson reco,g nize
p
the symptoms of syphilis in others?
A (Dr. ·wilcox): If he were instructed,
it would not be difficult to recognize certain
stages.
Q (Mr. Sagerman): Would not licensing
prostitution reduce the disease?
A (Dr. Wilcox) : . No.
Q: What . proportion of blindness arises
from venereal diseases?
A: (Dr. Wilcox): About 40 to 60 per
cent. of congenital blindness.
Q: Have we any statistics as to whether
prohibition in Maine· has reduced venereal
disease?
A (Dr. Cabot) : I do not believe there
are any figures, though ·1 am strongly of
the oPinion · that alcohol is one of the most
potent stumbling blocks which leads downhill to venereal disease. ( Applause.) (Dr.
Wilcox) :I think what Dr. Cabot has said is
emphatically true.
Q: How do you explain that our forefather~ have been preaching morality for
4000 years, and immorality today is worse
than ever?
A (Mr. Cummings): 1 don't think it is.
Q: Would not reporting venereal disease
cause more people than ever to stay away
from the doctors?
A (Dr. Wilcox) : No doubt a certain
number would do so. It hasn't worked out
that way with tuberculosis.
Q: If you instruct children only when
they ask for information, will you not start
a curiosity which will be satisfied wrongly
by other children?
A (Mr. Cummings): Yo~1 can make
wrong U:se of good informa/'on, but there
is no other way of heading off the worst
results.
·
Q: Isn't the present style of dress among
cure s~n~etl~ing.- (L-;~gl.1·t~r-·; 1;d 1101 hi~
Q: 'iYouldn't Ellen Key·s doe t:i; 1Pla111
love h elp sol Ye thes e problems '?
e Of
A (Dr. Cabot): I don't understa
Ellen Key teaches free love. r c\. n4
Slie seerns to me to have added PP
the proper understanding of the ~ 11
.o f the sexes, and I think it is fi eJ&:
stuff.
rst
Q (Mr. Sackmary): Isn't
prostitution among the so-called
ciety than among the poor?
A (Dr. Wilcox) : I don't know. h0
we determine?
' · •
Q : Isn't the Catholic church ma.
mistake in opposing sex education?
A (Dr. Cabot): I don't know that •i t
•t
oppose 1 .
Q: Aren't the up-to-date dances
sible for a lot of immorality?
A (M~. Cummings): I believe in the
of dancmg ; I run two or three dance
·
·
m ~onnec t·
10n with the Benevolent
termty _of ~hurches, and I have a good
of dancmg m m y church. I am sorry to
~hat_ some of the dances _whi_ch have
'.n smce I became e_nthus1_astic on the
Ject are perfectly mexpllcable to Ill!.
don't see why anyone should want to
them.
Q: Do you think Darwin would co •
us the higher or lower animals, in view
the absence of these diseases except a ·
human beings?
A (Dr. Cabot) : I never asked
(Laughter.)
Q: In view of your idea that law il
good unless backed up by public op· '
what do you think of the wiping out o!
red-light district in Washington?
A (Dr. Cabot) : There is plenty of
lie opinion behind that bill. You can
out segregated districts and the whole
is back of it.
Q: Doesn't the child-bearing functim
the woman justify stronger condemna
on her in going astray than on the man!
A (Mr. Cummings): Historically. yes:
my own opinion the moral weight is en
ly in the other direction. The man is a
always the aggressor and the womans
vastly more than he~ share even under
most
satisfactory
circumstances. (
plause.)
Q (Miss Smith) : If education is
greatest preventive, why don't doctors
a higher standard of morality?
(Continued on Page. 4.)
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aitr
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Dr. Cabot's
You do not
democracy if you are not willing
tile people with full knowl edge of
dl}ngS that are ,·ital to th eir wel-
j,l!IC-usse d
au:nd1 er e.
..-ns very " ell t.'11,en.
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. ,,. it is that Ford
:r:atothe services ofHall ~an
Iea~mg
CODl~ke
us last Sund'.'ly mght.
a l!zle th
all sp neY and wi thout price!
,.
*
oYer how much surplus
,rant to ,set the Ford Hall Town
- bave ""O o
.
" 5 a citizen, and levy a
upon your own unex.
.
can you beat that for
(IOJlfess1on.d unadulterated de11cacy ?
.
.
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*
*
" .
t d to publish a doubl~ sized
~e v~~ber of this magazme ~s
th • d'tors can a-et it ready. It will
1
e twenty dollars more th an th e
"
t e
Mr. Fraser, the :>Id gentlecarries a cane and sits on the
O
started a subscription for that
paying a dollar fo_r tw:enty extra
circulate among h1s friends. Mr.
e the second subscription. We
hteen more. Who is next? You can
on Editor Dreier to make that issue
worth while.
_
,.
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*
5ma«1ay, the 22d, is within one day of the
9IStll universary of these Il!eetings. How
,nm4erful}y we have been blessed, and how
tJ1Sakfu1 we are! Eagerly and joyously we
.._. forward into our seventh year.
The
Jllllbny grows more interesting all the tim~.
We lft all agog now to know what there is
la store fof us around the next turn of the
,.._ ls our next venture to be a Credit
t.".i.a! . And what after that-the coCil;llftSHTe store perhaps.
What delightful
t mo•
·
a·
~gi~t{a!ed
tssue.
)Nlllpeets!
--
* . '"
*
Jlr. Victorson made a remark at the las1
Nka" lfeeting that pleased me immensely
=
~ I disagreed with what he was say•
He feared that if we attempted to havE
..,- business dealings with each other WE
Jeopardize the beautiful spiritual f:l
t ~ that has grown up among us. I sa1c
,,
take much stock in any spiritua
~ that wouldn't stand the strains inci
- :;.. 1o th e necessities of daily living. Bu·
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A UNIQUE TAX.
By James P. Roberts. _
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FORD HALL FOLKS
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The Ways and Means Committee of Ford
Hall Town Meeting has been facing for
some weeks one of the most difficult problems in · all government-that of laying a
just tax. The committee believes the solution was found last Thursday evening.
The Meeting estimates that, for the balance of the season, at the least it should
raise and expend $170. All the citizens feel
and demand the right of participating in
·these expenses. How to assess ourselves
equitably or, rather, how to contribute to
the cause in a manner that shall take on
the forms of government taxation, is the
problem.. And, as happened before, the initial suggestion toward its solution comes
from an old friend of Ford Hall, Mr. George
B. Gallup. As worked out, it is this:
A weekly poll-tax would not be jusf as
it bears unduly upon those whose incomes
fall below the average; it . means nothing
to "malefactors of great wealth" if any are
skulking about the Meeting house. Again.
a uniform tax on ·all income, regardless of
a person's expenses, is also not quite justas it will be seen that a young lady earning,
say, $10 weekly, may be able to save more
than many a married man with a famil y
who is receiving $25 per week. Therefore,
a tax · on surplus; upon what each may be
able to lay by from his weekly stipend, may
be the solution .of the problem.
So the
Meeting adopted a "tax on surplus incomes"
as its ideal of a just form of taxation.
And, when you stop to analyze it, that is
about what the new Federal income tax
amounts to; · for its $3,000 and $4,000 exemptions give even the rich man a chance
to deduct his living expenses-if he really
cares to live within these amounts.
Ford Hall, too, i-s not so suspicious as
Uncle Sam; for each citizen is to be allowed
to decide upon his own surplus income, is
to take counsel with his own conscience
and then fix his own weekly tax-as the
Lord hath prospered him. No inquisitions,
no affidavits, no oaths-just a personal con+,..;h,,tirn,
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possible agencies for reform could be
·. brought to her; and if she reverted to her
old habits she should be imprisoned:
Let me repeat, we are facing a position
threatening our physical and moral stability. Are we going to hide our heads in the
sand, or join that great army whose slogan
shall be to fight this be~st to its death?
THE
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTHOOD.
By Rev. Edward Cummings.
~
ECAUSE I feel that I have alJsolutely no right to come before
this great meeting to bring you
nothing but generalization with
which to meet our responsibilities as actual or potential parents, I am going to use five minutes of my time to call
your attention to the ways in which we can
meet the responsibility of being well in- .
formed ourselves and in a position to · inform those over whom we act as guardians.
(The speaker then · commented in detail
on
the
reading list of
the Massachusetts
Society
for Sex Education.) Here I
consider there
is a definite
answer as to
how we are to
meet our responsibili t i e s
until p u b l i C
opinion has
moulded itself
in law-.
The
Society for Sex Education is ready to give
all the available information in the best
form.
When I was in London, at Toynbee Hall,
it was at a time .,. !.t eE::i all the city was ter!
rorized by Jack · : ~:;,..... iupper. I was put on
a vigilance committee of residents to patrol
of the larger family of city and ·
nation-above all, the prototype of
votion of the strong to the weat
has given us all our progress and
alone can prevent weakness ancr-.
weak strong and the strong stro
the whole world better and better. .
LAST WEEK'S TOWN
(Continued from Page 3.)
T·he newspapers have been very
the Town Meeting, and with the_
of our publicity committee we are
to have a good many notices. Miss
gave us a fine write-up in The ·
and at last week's meeting Miss
The Post became a citizen .
*
*
*
*
*
*
When our income tax has got.
working order a large part of it;
used to he-lp make F-0rd Hall Folks
ly the organ of the Town Meeting 88
of the Sunday meetings. Watch.
sults of our activities!
Women citizens of the Town M
tlie sergeant-at-arms, whatever the
tees ' report, and REMOVE YOU:f:
THE QUESTIONS.
(Continued from Page 1.
A (Dr. Cabot): I believe on
the medical profession is far freer
taint of venereal disease than •.
group · of people. In ·medical sch•
less than 2 per cent.-far less
college.
Q (Mr. Bodfish): What would
gest to change our 18th century
lations to 20th century?
A (Dr. Cabot): A free disCU
ample knowledege of that upon
sonal relations depend.
Q: Do you think prolonged·
this line is curable, and what do
of the patent medicines .which
cure it?
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a tax on surplus; upon what each may be
able to lay by from his weekly stipend , may
be the solution .of the problem.
So the
Meeting adopted a "tax on surplus incomes"
as its ideal of a just form of taxation.
And, when you stop to analyze it, that is
about what the new Federal income tax
amounts to; · for its $3,000 and $4,000 exemptions give even the rich man a chance
to deduct his living expenses-if he really
cares to live within these amounts.
Ford Hall, too, is not so suspicious as
Uncle Sam; for each citizen is to be allowed
to decide upon his own surplus income, is
to take counsel with his own conscience
and then fix his own weekly tax-as the
Lord hath prospered him. No inquisitions,
no affidavits, no oaths-just a personal contribution of the 5, 10 or 25 cents that the
'Town needs from each citizen to close the
year without a loan order.
Mr. Gallup also , proposed a unique en·velope system by which the taxpayer alone
will know what his tax is, and this, too,
· ·was adopted.
It will be interesting to watch the Treas·urer's reports and see how a tax based on
'honor and loyalty works in the most progressive Town on earth.
An attempt to
raise $17 per week among one hundred of
Brookline's "best" citizens wouldn't produce an earth tremor of interest to anybody; but at Ford Hall it will be a matter
for world-wide comment and study.
L.lU .L.1. J
consider there
( Continued from Page 1.)
is a definite
A (Dr. Cabot) : I belieYe on
answer as to the medical professi~n is far free:1how we are to taint of venereal disease than 'It
meet our re- group of people. In medical schQQ
sponsibili t i e s less than 2 per cent.-far less t~
until p u b 1 i c college.
opinion has
Q (Mr. Bodfish): What WOUid
moulded itself gest to change our 18th century
in law.
The lations to 20th century?
Society for Sex Education is ready to give
A (Dr. Cabot) : A free disc
all the available information in the best ample knowledege of that upon 1r
sonal relations depend.
form.
Q : Do you think prolonged
When I was in London, at Toynbee Hall,
it was at a time when all the city was terthis line is curable, and what do
rorized by Jack the Ripper. I was put on of the patent medicines which p
a vigilance committee of residents to patrol cure it?
A (Dr. Cabot): It is practican1
certain streets in which these crimes had
been committed.
'iVe discovered that a
curable. Patent medicines probabl)
lamp-post was worth several policemen and cured anyone.
Q: Is it possible syphilis could
didn't cost nearly so much. Crime and vice,
we found, flourished in the dark, and light mant in the individual and appea,
children?
killed them.
A (Dr. Wilcox): Syphilis wbfl,
.An'Cl. that is precisely what the people in the
Society for · Sex Education have been doing tracted gives very definite indicatlaa
for us-turning on the light. To be sure, presence, but it may be so slight
revolting things are disclosed at first. But overlooked or forgotten.
keeping things dark is playin~ tnto the
Q: What good would it be to hale
devil's hands. Having once eaten of the lot of laws against prostitution?
tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
A (Mr. Coleman): Nobody he!!
there is nothing to do but to have more more.
knowledge-more light. The effect of the
Q : How many women become p
sunlight of truth upon these vices is germi- of their own accord, and aren't
cidal, destroying many of them, and it a dozen men to match every wo
stimulates besides the wholesome growth of falls?
virtue. When more courageous physicians
A (Dr. Wilcox) :
like these have talked to more eager people jority of instances it comes back
like you, those virtues will become strong ignorance of the girl, and that is the
and vigorous.
we urge this education.
··
We need not feel that we are destroying
Q: Wouldn't it be a good ide1
romance and chivalry by turning on the
Tolstoy's "Resurrection" to the list
light. Quite the contrary; they are being Society for Sex Education?
A (Mr. Cummings): Yes, I think
killed and blighted by the darkness of ignorQ: Do you believe enforced re ·
ance, which brings into our- homes these
causes of suffering and disease. It is our of venereal diseases would be a
duty to see to it that our children have this weapon?
A (Dr. Cabot):
information ; that we have the information
ourselves; because it will add new dignity of public opinion. We do not want
and ,b eauty and worth to love and the marthese fellows to the quacks and OI
riage relationship.
Parents then will re- clerks. I think with Dr. Wilcox that
alize that the responsibility for the future . getting there.
rests upon them. The home will be enQ : Which is the greatest crime;
nobled, and become more than ever before robbery, or sex immorality?
the great, vital unit of society, out of which
A (Dr. Wilcox) : That is for the
society must be b,uilt, and the great image
to answer. (Laughter.)
THE SCOURGE OF VENEREAL. DISEASE.
(Continued from Page 1.)
_ ',t
,
)
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If the drinking of alcoholic beverages
were absolutely abolished the social evil
would be ripped up the back and its spinal
cord severed. If sensuality and alcoholism
were today abolished from the face of the
earth chronic invalidism, deformities, premature deaths, blindness, feeble-mindedness
and insanity would be as rare in the human
race as they are now among lower animals.
role, under the doctor's supervision. Moreover, the clerk having charge of marriage
certificates should have to consult the list
of those thus on parole, and grant no certificates to those on it until their names had
been removed. (.Applause.)
,-·_
I believe every prostitute should '. lie regarded as diseased, and taken to a .hospital
for cure. During her stay there'fthe best
,
.
·1
E. L Grime• Compaay,
122
Pearl Street, Boston, Mass.
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