University of Chicago - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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Cl D HARRY A. BIGELOW Dean of the Lafw School THE LAW SCHOOL The belief has always existed both in the Faculty of the Law School and in its Alumni body that the men who have received their formal degrees from the Law School and entered into the prac- tice of law still remain a vital and valu- able part of the Law School organiza- tion. The Alumni have many times in the past given evidence of the strength of this belief. This year the faculty took a step that manifested its attitude. By arrangement with Dean Huth of the University College, the Law School of- fered four courses in the down town di- vision of the University. These courses took the shape of two hour conferences held once a week through the quarter. The subjects were those of live interest in the profession. ln the Fall Quarter the subject of Taxation, which is of such importance at present, was covered by Professor Kent. The courses were open only to prac- ticing lawyers and were devoted to a careful and intensive study of difficult problems of day to day practice in the particular fields that they covered. In order to give the personal contact and individual discussion that was regarded as being one of the most valuable ele- ments in the courses they were limited in numbers and preference was given to the Alumni of the Law School. ln all the courses, the registration was in ex- cess of the number permitted. The suc- cess of the work was so pronounced that other courses will be given in the same way next year. On the campus the process of careful selection that has been undertaken in the Law School began to show its consequences. It was the gen- eral feeling of the Faculty that the qual- ity of the members of the school was distinctly improved. This conclusion was borne out by the sm-aller number of men who were dropped from the school and the higher average of work in the hrst year class. Page 28

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D I! THE SOCIAL SCIENCES ..SOCIAL SCIENTISTS . . .TAXES . . . CIVIC AFFAIRS.. Activities of members of the depart- ments of Economics and Political Science were mainly centered in their own back yard, the metropolitan area of Chica- go. ln a year when the schools faced closure, when the. Tax system seemed entirely out of adjustment with land values, and when the local governmental agencies were helpless to correct these disorders, let alone enforce the law, citi- zens found some satisfaction in the knowledge that University men were conducting a scientific analysis of the problem with the view of making prac- tical recommendations for reconstruc- tion. Such an analysis was represented by Chester W1'ight's study of Chicago land values, Simeon Leland's survey of the taxation problem, and the regional government study directed by Charles E. Merriam. Professor lVIerriam, for long a prominent figure in civic affairs, saw the solution for the seemingly hope- CHARLES E. Msmrmm Profuiwr and Qliz111'1narzl, Dz'fJarlmc'nZ of Polzlzcal Srzcntr , HARRY GIDEONSE iflrsaczate Professor of Economzrr f less tangle in the substitution of a re- gional government in place of the 1,700 independent and conflicting ones in the area. Through Steadman's work on the Public Health Qrganizations, Le- pawsICy's work on the Courts, and Par- rott's work on the School Units, the factual material relating to the prob- lem was laid out in part for the first time. With the analysis to be complet- ed in the near future, prospects for im- provement were far from dim. Two other social scientists, Paul Douglas and Harry Gideonse, stood out over and above their work as research men as teachers of great popularity and strong leaders in the political movements of the day. Dr. Gideonse, who was en- gaged in a study of international gold movements, also found time to promote the third party at the University. Dr. Douglas, whose trend of real wages studies were outstanding, lent his help to the Socialist cause on campus. Page 27

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U ci I HAROLD G, SHIELDS Alsszslant Dean af the School of Cunzmerce and Aa'r11i1zis.'ration THE SCHOOL or COMMERCE AND ADMINISTRATION With William B. Spencer, Professor of Business Law, as Dean, the School of Commerce and Administration experi- enced r-emarkable success in all phases of its activities. ln research the faculty contributed much valuable material. Professor J. L. Palmer directed a series of studies on chain store operations and problems of both local and national scope, some of which studies Were re- cently rele-ased by the University Press. Professor John H. Cover conducted, in codoperation with the United States De- partment of Commerce and Yale Uni- versity, a study of brankruptcy statistics. A book entitled, Business Cycles and Forecasting, by Professor Garfield V. Cox will soon be on the market. T. O. Yntema continued his statistical research project in the stock market activities. James W. Young, the man Who popu- larized the personal indorsement in ad- vertising, and the most recently acquired member of the faculty, has begun a monograph on The Advertising Agency Commission System. Professor Greer prepared a study of customer turnover among the meat packers, and of the busi- ness mortality rate of retail meat dealers in Chicago. Professor O. McKinsey, a man famous in business organization policies and procedures, was engaged in a series of management case studies. Associate Professor R. W. Stone's personnel studies of Chicago as a Labor Market will soon be available in book form. Pro- fessor R. B. Alspaugh studied the prob- lem of adjusting merchandising policies of menls clothing stores to the business depression conditions, and the special sales practices followed by Chicago De- partment Stores. Assistant Dean Har- old G. Shields was engaged in educa- tion in economics and business in junior colleges, and in senior high schools. The technique of determining accounting needs of a specific business was Assistant Professor Willard I. Grahamls latest project. Page 29