characteristics such as sex, nativity, occupation, and color. Yule has developed the theory of such correlation at some length in his text on the Theory of Statistics.

Statistical technique is not, of course, an automatic method of ascertaining truth, nor does it eliminate the necessity for common sense, scientific insight, or laborious research. Correlation is merely a development in mathematical terms of the principles of logic. It vastly reduces the probability of many of the most serious logical fallacies, but it is far from a fool-proof mechanism, and it has dangers of its own. The following conditions, among others, must be observed in the use of this method:

1. Constant or cumulative errors in the selection, measurement, and treatment of data must be especially avoided.

2. It is essential to stick close to the original data. It should not be assumed that a given index means more than its actual content implies, unless broader meanings are proved by correlation. 3. Mathematical complexity in indices is likely to introduce spurious correlations.

4. Correlations cannot safely be established, especially when partial correlations are used as suggested above, unless a fairly large number of impartially selected items or cases are used.

5. As wide a variety of conditions, times, and places as possible should be represented among the items studied. Predictions based on correlations are valid only within the range of conditions represented by the items on which they are based.

6. Low correlations are of value chiefly as indicators for further study. Unless high coefficients are determined, important variables not measured in the investigation are involved in the problem.

7. Rectilinear correlations are based on the assumption that a constant ratio exists between changes in the subject and relative variables. This is often not the case. For example, a difference of $100 in family income corresponds with a much greater difference in infant-mortality rates at the lower end of the income scale than at the upper end.

The backwardness of social sciences has not been due to any insoluble complexity of the data-ponderous opinion to the contrary

notwithstanding. Our failure to achieve results has been caused by the lack of objective means of measuring certain important variables, and the failure to apply and develop scientific methods of generalizing from social data. When these handicaps are overcome social science may be expected to produce improvements in human life far more revolutionary than those resulting from the application of experimental methods to physics, chemistry, and medicine.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIO

LOGICAL SOCIETY

The following program has been announced by President Edward Cary Hayes for the sixteenth annual meeting of the American Sociological Society to be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, December 27, 28, and 30, 1921. At the same time and place the following organizations will meet: the American Economic Association, the American Political Science Association, the American Statistical Association, and the American Association for Labor Legislation.

6:00 P.M.
7:00-8:00 P.M.

8:15 P.M.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27

Subscription dinner for Rural Sociologists.

Informal Reception to all members of the American Socio-
logical Society and their friends under the direction of LYFORD
P. EDWARDS, St. Stephen's College.

Joint meeting with American Political Science Association.
Presidential Addresses: "The Sociological Point of View."
EDWARD CARY HAYES. "The Development of Democracy
on the American Continent." LEO STANTON ROWE.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

9:00-10:45 A.M. Round Table: "The Delinquent Girl." In charge of MRS. W. F. DUMMER, Chicago.

11:00-12:45

2:30 P.M.

Discussion opened by JESSIE TAFT, Seybert Foundation,
Philadelphia; MARION KENWORTHY, Vanderbilt Clinic, New
York; and EMMA O. LUNDBERG, Children's Bureau, Wash-
ington.

Round Table: "Education and Research."

Report of the Committee on Research. J. L. GILLIN, University of Wisconsin, Chairman.

Report of the Committee on the Teaching of Social Science in
the Public and High Schools. Ross L. FINNEY, University of
Minnesota, Chairman.

Report of the Conference on Social Studies in the Public
Schools called by the Commonwealth Fund. CHARLES A.
ELLWOOD, University of Missouri.

Discussion.

Section on Social Evolution. In charge of HARRY ELMER
BARNES, Clark University.

"Anthropological Viewpoints in Sociology." ALEXANDER A.
GOLDENWEISER, New School of Social Research.

"The Development of Historical Sociology." HARRY ELMER BARNES, Clark University.

"The Future of Historical Sociology." WILLIAM F. Ogburn, Columbia University.

5:00 P.M.

6:00 P.M.

8:15 P.M.

Annual Meeting of the Executive Committee.

Subscription dinners by groups interested in Social Research,
and the Training of Social Workers.

Section on Biological Factors in Social Causation. In charge
of ALBERT E. JENKS, University of Minnesota.
"Hereditary Human Groups in Their Relation to Distinctive
Cultures." Albert E. Jenks, University of Minnesota.
"Hereditary Traits as Factors in Social Progress," FRANK
W. BLACKMAR, University of Kansas.

"Health and Eugenics." RUDOLPH M. BINDER, New York
University.

Paper: "Controlled Fecundity." EDWARD A. Ross, University of Wisconsin.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29

9:00-10:45 A.M. Round Table: "Community Problems." In charge of DWIGHT SANDERSON, Cornell University.

11:00-12:45

2:30 P.M.

5:00 P.M.

7:30 P.M.

9:30 A.M.

"Points of Contact between Rural and Urban Communities."

JOHN M. GILLETTE, University of North Dakota.

"What the Red Cross Is Doing in Rural Organization."
Discussion opened by WILLIAM CARL HUNT, Director of
Rural Organization Service, Lake Division, American Red
Cross, Cleveland, Ohio.

Round Table: "Sociology and Social Work." In charge of
FRANK D. WATSON, Haverford College.

"Has Sociology a Contribution to the Equipment of the
Social Worker?" Discussion opened by THOMAS D. ELIOT,
Northwestern University.

"What Types of Courses in Sociology Are Most Valuable for
the Social Worker and How May They Best Be Presented ?”
Discussion opened by ARTHUR J. TODD, Chicago.

Section on Psychic Factors in Social Causation. In charge of
CHARLES A. ÉLLWOOD, University of Missouri.

"The_Significance of Environment as a Social Factor."
L. L. BERNARD, University of Minnesota.

"Ethnological Light on Psychological Problems." ELLS-
WORTH FARIS, University of Chicago.

Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Society.
Discussion of the work of the Society, introduced by FRANKLIN
H. GIDDINGS, Columbia University; ALBION W. SMALL, Uni-
versity of Chicago; and JAMES E. HAGERTY, Ohio State
University.

Subscription dinner followed by speeches, partly in lighter
vein.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30

Joint meeting of American Sociological Society, American Economic Association, and American Political Science Association.

The morning sessions will be devoted to round-table conferences. Members of the Society desiring to participate in these conferences,

or in discussion of the papers presented, are invited to send their names to the secretary of the Society, Ernest W. Burgess, University of Chicago, mentioning the topic which they wish to discuss.

Persons wishing to attend the subscription dinners are requested to send their names to the secretary of the Society. The price will be $1.50 per plate for each of the dinners.

The attention of members is particularly called to the informal reception on Tuesday evening, December 27, and the subscription dinner on Thursday evening, December 29. These are under the direction of a Committee on Fellowship of which Lyford P. Edwards of St. Stephen's College has been appointed chairman. Every member of the society is requested to introduce his acquaintances to those whom they have not previously known.

Headquarters.-The headquarters of the American Sociological Society will be The Fort Pitt Hotel. Rates per day, $2.50 for single room without bath; $3.00 for single room with bath; double rooms $2.00 per person additional.

Local Committee.-Professor Anna C. McBride, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, Pa., Chairman; Agnes Byrnes, Mary J. Condon, Helen Tyson.

MEETING OF RURAL SOCIOLOGISTS

2:30 P.M. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27

At the last meeting of the American Sociological Society a group of rural sociologists got together and, after consulting the Executive Committee of that society, voted to hold a special session in connection with the next meeting for a consideration of the special problems of rural sociology. Dr. K. L. Butterfield was chosen as chairman of this informal group and the following committee was named by him to assist in arranging a program: Professor W. J. Campbell, Y.M.C.A. College, Springfield, Mass.; Professor Everett Dix, Berea College, Berea, Ky.; Rev. John O'Grady, Washington, D.C.; and the undersigned. Upon the eve of his sailing for China, Dr. Butterfield requested me to act for him with this committee. Therefore, after consulting with them, the following arrangements have been made. As it was impracticable to secure a separate session during the meeting of the Sociological Society, a meeting on Tuesday afternoon before the first session of the Society in the evening, will be held at the Fort Pitt Hotel at 2:30 P.M. This will consist of a Round Table Discussion of the topic-"The Rural Community and the Rural Neighborhood as Social Units." Dr. C. J. Galpin will preside and the discussion will be led by Dr. C. C. Taylor, North Carolina A. and M. College, Professor J. H. Kolb, University of Wisconsin, and the writer. It is proposed to hold a subscription dinner immediately following the program, for the purpose of better acquaintance among the group. Since arrangements must be made in advance all who expect to attend are requested to drop a card to the undersigned at once.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 6122 South Park Ave.

DWIGHT SANDERSON