Studies and investigations of exhibits, Louisiana Purchase Exposition, social economy group 129. The exhibits, by means of reports and statistics, of leading States and countries showing the commercial and industrial conditions of the State or country, in regard to exports and imports, wages, occupations, hours of daily labor, health statistics, educational facilities, means provided for industrial betterment of employees, and photographs and graphic charts illustrative of the above, no doubt attracted the attention of thousands of visitors at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and will result in much good. Important subjects are thus brought to the front and many employers and capitalists are benefited by the experience of others, and so go away and work out some plan for the betterment of the conditions of their employees. It opens the way for the capitalist to meet his workmen in the adoption of measures for harmonizing the interests of capital and labor and binding together in mutual interest and good will the men whose work enriches the State and the employer who directs their labor and converts its products into wages.
The many photographs exhibited illustrating the line of betterment evolution and industrial commercial pursuits and development bring facts relating to these subjects before the public and lead captains of industry and the employer to investigate betterment institutions and profit by the experience of others. They also furnish an idea of the large industries, progress, and natural resources of the country. Thus the photographs of the coffee plantations of Brazil thoroughly illustrated the coffee industry and gave an idea of this great industry, its commercial value, its growth and development. The exhibits of New Jersey by means of photographs of industrial betterment institutions and industrial conditions furnished plenty of matter for studies and investigations to students of social economics.
Representatives of large industries, through the medium of international expositions, study the means of improving the productions of their factories, either by the use of better raw material, securing it cheaper by importing it direct from the producing centers, or by the improvement of their processes by using modern machinery, and by the study of the social betterment conditions of the employees of other large industrial enterprises.
Many of the foreign governmental publications, reports, photographs, statistics, and graphic charts exhibited showed the degree of advancement reached in some parts of the country with relation to these particular subjects, and the splendid condition and resources of the State or country. Many of these exhibits were beautifully illustrated, giving information of the social and economic conditions, as well as the history, geography, physical resources, etc., of the State or country. The exhibits of France, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain were elaborate and systematically arranged, and furnished a fund of information in social economic studies and investigations by their most eminent economists.
The exhibits of the American Institute of Social Service deserves especial mention. We learn from them how we can aid in humanizing and elevating the spirit, methods, and conditions of modern life.
This institute had on exhibition about 2,000 photographs in 10 wing-frame cabinets, which visualize and interpret all forms of social and industrial betterment, arranged as follows: (1) The American Institute of Social Service. (2) Civic betterment. (3) Improved housing. (4, 5, and 6) Industrial betterment. (7) European social studies. (8) Salvation Army and denominational work. (9) Young Men's and Young Women's Christian associations. (10) Institutional churches. After the exposition these cabinets will be put on permanent exhibition at the headquarters of the institution in New York.
These photos make a deep and lasting impression upon the mind of the observer of the great work being done in all forms of social and industrial betterment. It is an efficient way of showing the needs of the times created by the new conditions in the industrial world, and is a means of bringing together the best thinkers of the age to devise feasible plans for the betterment of mankind, and the solving of problems of social conditions and industrial betterment. They also show what is being done by the American Institute of Social Service.
The American Institute of Social Service is a clearing house for exchange of facts, experiences and ideas on social and industrial betterment. It is both a laboratory for investigation and a distributor of the knowledge gained. It is practically an international university for the study and promotion of social and industrial progress. Its work is done on a large and thorough plan, and benefits multitudes.
The fundamental principle and purpose of the institute is to make the experience of all available for the instruction of each. This principle is applicable alike to individuals, corporations, churches, societies, cities, States, and nations.
The institute places human experience on file. It welcomes inquiries from anyone. The answers aim to be complete, or, if necessary, to refer the writer to the most direct and trustworthy sources.