Current Events

Current Events A Study for the Advanced Senior Class M. I. A., 1927-28 Suggestions by the Committee The Advanced Senior Department is planned to meet the needs of all Mutual Improvement members over twenty-three years of age. The class is especially anxious to welcome to its ranks the young men and women of the Church, as it is felt they will give to it the spirit of youth and will enrich the recitations because of their recent association with schools and libraries. One of the popular movements of today is adult education and the Ad- vanced Senior class is making splendid headway in this important cause. The Efficiency Report demands our attention for the month of December. The Advanced Senior Class, with its enviable reputation, will help this report. Every member should become enthusiastic for progress. This class stands for develop- ment, more interesting programs — and true joy for each individual will be closely aligned with a rousing Efficiency Report. 1 — Religion and Social Service (December, 1927) 1 . Does Science Conflict with Religion ? Eight men answer this question in Popular Science, October, 1927, and their answers found place in the Reader's Di- gest of November. Question: Do the eight agree on any one point, and if so, what is the point? 2. Definite Diversity of Opinions. Two theological giants face each other in controversy over the conflict between science and religion. Which has the best of the battle as reported in Literary Digest. October 15, page 33? 3. "The Ugly Side of Beauty Display." Under this headline the Literary Digest of October 22, presents the attitude of the National Council of Catholic Women, and the press comments on their efforts for public reform. Problem: Is there need of reform in beauty contests, and if so. how can we help to hasten it? 4. "Is Family Life Declining^" A woman of recognized social service authority says: "Family responsibility has not turned to irresponsibility." A man of legislative prominence calls for a concession of the truth as he sees it, quite opposite to the conclusions of the eminent lady. (See Literary Digest, October 29, page 31.) Our Problem: Which is the most con- sistent attitude to take, that taken by Miss Hamilton at the Buffalo conference on Family Life in America Today, or that taken by Senator Hamilton Lewis at the Catholic Women's League in Chicago? 5. "A Badly Muddled Religion." Under this heading in less than one column there are set forth twenty-five ideas on religion and social service. (See Literary Digest, November 5.) Select the best of the thoughts expressed. 2 — Politics and Industry 1 . Prosperity. Recently, President Coolidge made the declaration that the tide of good times is not receding, but rising, and that pros- perity is on the increase, with bigger buy- ing of luxuries as well as necessities just ahead of us. A brief summary of his views are to the effect that crops, with the ex- ception of cotton, are fully as good as last year and that the corn and wheat

154 IMPROVEMENT ERA crops have actually greatly increased; that notwithstanding quite a number of people have been out of employment, the number is decreasing; that the mail-order-house sales have greatly increased, that the tex- tile industries show some improvement, that the steel industry is even picking up, and that the exports and imports are keep- ing pace with last year. In contrast to this optimistic view of the president. Prof. H. Parker Willis, the editor of the Journal of Commerce, in New York, according to his survey of business conditions, says that things are not altogether satisfactory; that there has been a falling off in the orders of the steel corporation, and textiles have been de- pressed for some time; that the motor trade has not recovered; railway freight movements have been only fair, and that the good retail trade is largely due to the increase in the production of wheat and corn, which have benefited only certain agricultural sections of the country. Questions Are favorable economic conditions due to political organizations or parties, or is there some more fundamental cause? What part do invention, chemistry, greater efficiency in ac- counting and management, play in the role of increased prosperity? What other things have contributed to better economic conditions? What do political parties contribute? What has been your own observation on business conditions? Has your own business improved? Why? (See Literary Digest. October 29. 1927, page 13.) 2. Europe as a Competitor. It looks as if a serious trade war in which the American chemical interests are concerned, will occur within the near fu- ture. According to recent announcements, the leading nations of Europe have formed a billion dollar chemical trust, which in- cludes Germany, Great Britain, France and Belgium. It is said that these countries intend to make economies in production and distribution without increasing prices so that they may invade the markets of foreign countries where the American chemical industry has gained a leading position since the war. This is not the only industrial combination which is re- ported from Europe. There is an agree- ment in the aluminum industry which in- volves Germany, France, England, Swit- zerland, Austria and Norway, and, too, steps have been taken to bring together the electrical and textile industries of leading producing countries. These ten- dencies in oversea industries are likely to greatly affect the western world. "The movement has not been dictated by political causes, but by economic neces- sity." It seems as if the Bankers' and Industrialists' Boards have conceived the idea of pooling their resources and of dividing the trade and the territory so as to keep down costs, and in particular, against each other. Questions What is the real purpose of these combina- tions? Are they formed solely for the pur- pose of getting the world's markets, or is it to regain some of the markets which they lost. If these combinations are successful, what other combinations in Europe will likely soon fol- low? How can we meet these combinations? What is the problem that we must face exactly in Europe? Only by what methods can we outdo Europe? (See Literary Digest, October 29, 1927, page 14.) 3. The United States' Merchant Marine. Although the United States is one of the leading industrial and exporting coun- tries in the world, it has not maintained a high position in the merchant marine when compared with certain other coun- tries. Questions Why is this the condition in our country? What particular benefit would a good mer- chant marine be to the U. S.? In what way are our vessels obsolete compared with those of other countries? What particular kind of vessel is best for a merchant marine? How has the United States lagged behind other countries, such as Great Britain. Germany, France, and Italy, in the building of ships for merchant marine purposes? (See Literary Digest. Octo- ber 29, 1927. page 21.)