CA USES OF POVERTY 62 1
more, perhaps, than with any other class, in how far they are actually causes, and how far they are effects of poverty. Other causes are omitted because they so seldom appear that they may be disregarded without affecting the final result. There are also, undoubtedly, evils of overlapping in the schedule used. In reply to all such criticisms it may be said that the schedule was only selected after examination of those used by Chas. Booth and by German investigators, together with the schedule adopted by the National Conference of Charities and Correc- tions, and that the one finally selected seemed best fitted for the purpose at the time, although experience would now sug- gest some changes.
Perhaps the most vital defect of such a table must always be that it will to some degree reflect the personal bias of the com- piler. It can only be said that every effort has been made to avoid this element. Pains were taken to study each case apart from all others, and not to allow any consideration of effect upon final results to determine individual decisions. This defect was still further minimized by the fact that the two schedules were prepared wholly independent of each other, and by per- sons with different economic ideas. 1 This element can be almost entirely eliminated if a large number of persons could be induced to carry on similar studies, and it is hoped that this may be done in the near future.
A. M. SIMONS.
Thanks are due to Mr. C. F. Weller, of the Englewood district of the Bureau of Charities, for the preparation of the schedules from that neigborhood.
