NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN

SOCIOLOGICAL SOCIETY

It has become the custom for the incoming president of the American Sociological Society to make his first appearance as president in an announcement in the March number of the Journal following his election. In this statement he announces the general subject for the next annual meeting, and any other matters of general interest to the members.

The subject for the coming annual meeting is "The Progress of Sociology." The American Sociological Society is now in its twenty-first year. The next meeting will be its majority birthday. During its adolescence the greatest war of history put civilization to the test. Eight years have passed since the Armistice. It seems that by this time we ought to be able to discern the direction in which our subject is moving, and where we have arrived. At least it is worth the trial.

I solicit everyone who has any suggestion as to topics and speakers to send them to me at once.

The section meetings, as usual, will be handled by the section chairmen and the president. Suggestions for these sections should be sent to the section chairmen.

I covet the co-operation of every member for the coming year. Sociology is no longer on the defensive. The number and quality of people interested in it are evidences of its value in the interpretation of life. However, the chaotic condition of social life throughout the world is a challenge which can be met successfully only by the application of the most vigorous methods of science. Our programs each year provide an interchange of thought and method which works advance. It is my hope that every sociologist in the country will do his part to make our next meeting work a distinct advance in this field of knowledge.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

JOHN L. GILLIN

NEWS AND NOTES

Annual meeting of the American Sociological Society.-The twentieth annual meeting of the American Sociological Society was held at Columbia University, December 28-31, the first session in New York since 1909. The attendance was large not only at all the general sessions, but also at the special meetings of the different sections. The program of the main sessions was organized around the central topic "The City."

At the joint session with the American Statistical Association, President Robert E. Park outlined in his address, "The Concept of Position in Sociology," the range of sociological research in city life from human ecology to social psychology, and the possiblities of its further development through the technique of the life history and of statistics. President Robert E. Chaddock, of the American Statistical Association, stressed the value of statistics as a college course, in his paper, "The Place of Statistics in Undergraduate Training."

An outstanding session was that of the division on Social Psychology, with its papers "The Nature of Human Nature," by Ellsworth Faris; "The Problem of Personality Study in Urban Environment," by William I. Thomas; "Social Distances and Social Ranges," by Emory S. Bogardus; and "A Social Philosophy of City Life," by Nicholas J. Spykman. Important and interesting papers on recent sociological research related to urban life presented at the meetings of the division on Social Biology, in charge of Edward B. Reuter; the division on Statistical Sociology, in charge of F. Stuart Chapin; the division on Human Ecology, in charge of Roderick D. McKenzie; and the division on Social Research, in charge of C. E. Gehlke.

In the division on Communication, Walter S. Rogers reported on "An International News Organization," in which he sketched the organization of the Institute of Current World Affairs; Harold D. Lasswell gave an address on "The Status of Research on International Propaganda and Opinion." In a joint session with the American Political Science Association, papers were read by Charles A. Beard on "Economic Aspects of Metropolitan Planning"; Shelby M. Harrison, "Community Participation in City and Regional Planning"; and Harvey W. Zorbaugh, "The Natural Areas of the City."

The oldest section, Rural Sociology, in charge of C. E. Lively, held three meetings, in which problems of teaching and of research in rural population, in rural group organization, and in rural social control were discussed. The section on the Sociology of Religion, organized last year, held four meetings: on plans for the organization of its work; "Social Factors in Religion"; "Religious Factors in City Life"; "Social Aspects of Theological Education." The section on Educational Sociology, in charge of David Snedden, held two sessions, one of which was devoted to "Educational Research," and the other to a discussion of "Educational Sociology." The section on The Family, in charge of Mrs. W. F. Dummer, held one meeting, which was devoted to methods of research on the family from the standpoints of sociology, psychiatry, and social work. The section on Community Organization, meeting in conjunction with the National Community Center Association, held three meetings: "The Place of Forum and Group Discussion in Community Organization"; "The Sociology of the Gang and Natural Community Groups"; and "Factors in the Stimulation and Organization of Communities."

The officers of the Society for 1926 are: president, John L. Gillin; first vice-president, John M. Gillette; second vice-president, William I. Thomas; secretary-treasurer, E. W. Burgess. The following were elected members of the Executive Committee: William F. Ogburn, Emory S. Bogardus, Howard W. Odum, James E. Cutler, Edwin H. Sutherland, and Stuart A. Queen.

Reports were made by A. A. Goldenweiser for the Committee on the Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences; F. S. Chapin for the Committee on Social Abstracts, and C. E. Gehlke for the Committee on Social Research. Amendments to the constitution were adopted providing that past presidents of the Society remain on the Executive Committee for a term of five years, provided that this limitation does not apply to past presidents whose term of office expired more than five years ago; the election of the secretary-treasurer by the Executive Committee; and the raising of the annual dues from four to five dollars (to become effective January 1, 1927), to meet increasing expenditures incidental to the expansion of the Society's work. A special rate of $3.50 was fixed for student members when recommended by their teachers (effective January 1, 1926). A resolution was adopted that the Society express its gratitude for the prompt and almost unanimous response of its members to the appeal for contributions to meet the emergency occasioned by its expanding work. The Society elected as honorary members the following distinguished so

ciologists of other countries: René Worms, secretary of Institut international de sociologie; Leonard T. Hobhouse, University of London; Leopold von Wiese, Social Science Institute, Cologne.

At the fifth annual dinner of the society, Franklin H. Giddings, Edward A. Ross, Charles H. Cooley, representing the pioneers in sociology, and Nicholas J. Spykman, a newcomer in the sociological field, gave reminiscences on the subject presented by President Park, "How I Became a Sociologist."

An appreciated innovation by the Committee on Local Arrangements was the institution of the Social Room-in charge of Miss Margaret Giddings-for registration, informal conferences, and exhibits.

American Council of Learned Societies.-The annual meeting of the American Council of Learned Societies was held in New York City, on January 23. Representatives were present from all the constituent societies. Dr. Waldo G. Leland reported that the Survey of Learned Societies was nearing completion and would be published during the year. Professor Allen Johnson, Yale University, who was selected as general editor of the Dictionary of American Biography, stated that he would assume active charge in February of this year.

The Council has secured a subvention of $10,000 from the Carnegie Corporation for a Survey of Research in the United States in the Humanistic and Social Sciences. The survey will include projects of research being carried on by societies, academies, institutions, foundations, governmental agencies, research bureaus, etc., as well as by individual scholars, including students in graduate schools. It is also proposed to make as complete a list as possible of all funds, fellowships, prizes, etc., which are available for the aid and encouragement of research, and to investigate the existing means of publishing the results of research. The Council has secured as director of this survey Professor Frederic A. Ogg, of the University of Wisconsin, who assumes charge of the work in March. Every effort will be made to co-ordinate this survey with surveys which may be planned or undertaken by other bodies, such as the Social Science Research Council or the American Association of University Professors, in order to avoid needless duplication and to meet as many needs as possible.

The officers for 1926 are: chairman, Joseph P. Chamberlain, Columbia University; vice-chairman, Walter F. Willcox; and secretary-treasurer, Edward C. Armstrong, Princeton University.

On the day preceding the meeting of the Council, the second annual

conference of secretaries of constituent societies was held. Each secretary gave a brief account of the present state and activities of his society. Special attention was given to the co-operation of the Society in the Dictionary of American Biography and in the Survey of Research and to the endowment campaigns now being carried on or considered by several of the societies.

Committees and representatives of the American Sociological Society. The following representatives and members of committees have been appointed by President John L. Gillin for the year 1926: Social Science Research Council: Shelby M. Harrison. (Other members, F. Stuart Chapin and William F. Ogburn.) Joint Commission on Social Studies in the Schools: C. A. Ellwood; Ross L. Finney, Social Abstracts: F. Stuart Chapin, chairman; Robert E. Park; U. G. Weatherly. American Council of Learned Societies: W. F. Ogburn; W. I. Thomas. Social Research: W. F. Ogburn; C. E. Gehlke; Hornell Hart. The Teaching of Social Science: C. A. Ellwood; J. O. Hertzler; E. H. Sutherland. Rural Sociology: E. L. Morgan, chairman; E. L. Kirkpatrick; S. H. Hobbs, Jr. Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences: H. B. Woolston; W. F. Ogburn; Harry E. Barnes. Finance Committee: M. J. Karpf, chairman; T. D. Eliot, F. F. Laune. Committee on Nominations: C. C. North, chairman; C. H. Cooley; J. P. Lichtenberger; L. L. Bernard; U. G. Weatherly; F. H. Giddings; William J. Kirby. Organization of the National Social Science Fraternity: L. L. Bernard. Committee on Election of Foreign Sociologists as Honorary Members: U. G. Weatherly; E. C. Hayes; James Q. Dealey. To assist Professor Allen Johnson in the selection of members of the American Sociological Society for the Dictionary of American Biography, E. A. Ross. Representative of the Society on the American Year Book: Frank H. Hankins.

National Graduate Social Science Society.-Alpha Pi Zeta, the national graduate social science research society, held its annual meeting at the Hotel Pennsylvania, December 20, 1925. Professor John D. Black (economics), University of Minnesota, was elected chairman of the Committee on National Organization for the year 1926, to succeed Professor L. L. Bernard (sociology), Cornell University. Professor Clyde L. Grose (history), Northwestern University, was re-elected secretary, and Professor C. A. Ellwood (sociology), University of Missouri, was re-elected a member of the Board of Directors. Professor F. G. Bates (political science), Indiana University, was chosen as a new member of the Board