This is a report of recent work in the Eugenics Survey, being a preliminary undertaking in eugenical and social research and a variety of practical, social service activities.

1. Social Welfare

We have found ourselves faced with several important opportunities for social Service and we have been sure that the committee would want us to engage in them.

The Eugenics Survey has this year been directing its interests into the general field of social welfare as well as into that of social research. At the Vermont Conference of Social Work last fall a request came from a number of volunteer social workers in various parts of the state for help, either through round table discussions led by experienced social workers or through a summer institute, in meeting some of the problems of social work in their communities, particularly at the present time. Elin Anderson as chairman of that committee has called together numerous round table conferences in Burlington on the problems of social welfare, both for the purpose of seeing how these problems might be better met in the city and also to experiment on how such a round table might be worked out in other towns throughout the state. As a result of these discussions special subcommittees have been meeting to consider the problems of relief, work and recreation for the unemployed in Burlington. As the round tables continue, special problems of those concerned with social welfare are being considered. It is hoped that an institute of social work may be held in the summer at the University for all interested.

Very successful round tables have also been held at the Eugenics office for the Committee on the Cause and Cure of War. Very largely as a result of interest in these discussions, a Vermont branch or the League of Nations Association has been organized. A special committee, meeting in the Eugenics Survey office, is working up state organization of this Association and has been gratified to learn of the amount of interest in international affairs in many smaller communities in the state. It is hoped that local branches might organize round tables on international problems.

2. Research

While making the last Eugenics Survey study on the migration of older American stock from rural communuities, the field workers were impressed with the character of the immigrants who come in to take the place of the emigrants. Many of these were of foreign descent, particularly French Canadian. The situation presented a challenge to ascertain the extent and nature of fusion of different national groups in Vermont. The proportion of the foreign‐ born in Vermont is not very large ‐‐ about l2% ‐‐ but nevertheless, and those of foreign‐born or mixed parentage make up one‐third of the population of Vermont. It was decided that Burlington offers the most favorable conditions for such a study, all things considered, since it has a proportion of foreign‐born very similar to that of the state as a whole. A preliminary survey of the city has been practically completed. This was done for the purpose of ascertaining who were first and second generation Americans and where they lived in town. This was a pretty large undertaking since more than five thousand homes had to be visited. It would have been almost impossible had it not been for volunteer workers who covered large sectors of the city. The result of this preliminary survey is recorded on a large spot map of the city on which is being marked the national origin of every family in Burlington.

One or two immediate results of this preliminary study are worth noting. The German Club has made a study of the problems of the German group in Burlington. The Italians have organized a society for the social and political welfare of the Italians in Burlington and Winooski. Another interesting outcome has been a round table studying the problems of First and Second Generation Americans at which members of several different nationalities have been represented. This has thrown some very valuable light on the whole subject of racial and cultural fusion.

A third step in the study is now under way, which is to get at the attitudes of older American stock and people of foreign descent, particularly French Canadians, Irish, Germans, Jews and Italians toward cooperation whether in business, in social agencies, in civic or in the social life of the city. It is felt that from this preliminary acquaintance with the attitudes of different racial groups toward each other, suggestions for definite practical steps to greater cooperation in the city and state can be made. At the same it is invaluable basic material for a more detailed study of the racial characteristics of different races represented in the community in an attempt to get at the eugenical significance of the American melting pot as found operating in Vermont.

When the preliminary survey of attitudes has been completed we hope that we may call upon you for advice and suggestions as to a more thorough study of racial traits.