USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Extracts from the minutes of the yearly meeting of Friends held in Philadelphia, 1923 > Part 5
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During the past few years the cost of board and tui- tion at Westtown School has increased, making the funds: available for scholarship aid insufficient; this is largely due to a decreased appropriation from the William Forrest Estate.
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At the opening of school last Fall, we granted scholar- ship aid amounting to $22,500 and had available to meet this only $18,600, leaving a deficit of $3,900, which had to be obtained in other ways.
The Society of Friends stands fundamentally for the religious education of its children, and a notable feature of Westtown School lies in the fact that it is open to any child in our membership who is counted worthy and desires to benefit by its advantages, irrespective of his or her financial resources.
In order to carry out this policy with fairness to all concerned, it is essential to have the co-operation of par- ents and guardians. Therefore, we hope that all those who desire their children to attend Westtown School, will carefully consider their resources and will, when possible, pay the full tuition, leaving the scholarships for those who could not possibly attend without this aid.
We also hope that all parents will discourage extrava- gant expenditure on the part of the pupils, for the proper training of those of large means and to avoid putting the temptation of unwarranted expenditure before those of small means. We feel that every effort should be made to cultivate simplicity, moderation and thrift as essentials for Christian living.
The season of 1922 has been one of moderate prosper- ity for the Orchard Department. In general it has been a year of high yields and low prices, but returns have been· sufficient to meet expenses and to pay the school its rental of $800 for the use of the Walnut Hill land and to still have a small profit. In addition, the school has received its entire supply of apples free of charge as a rental for the boys' and girls' orchards.
The peach crop was the largest we have so far pro- duced-a total of 12,000 baskets-in spite of a heavy hail storm which did considerable damage to late varieties. Values sought a low level, however, the average price for all grades being fifty-four cents per basket. The school and farm house made liberal use of the fresh fruit while
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it lasted and also canned several hundred gallons for winter use.
The apple crop was below normal owing to the freezing weather which came when the trees were in bloom. The crop totalled about 6,000 baskets, approximately half of which came from the young trees on Walnut Hill. About a year ago the unused basement of the old mill was made into an apple storing cellar. This has made it possible to keep a supply of apples on hand during the winter and to market them according to the demand. It has also relieved the school from the necessity of placing so many apples in cold storage.
Another improvement made since last report is the building of a new tenant house on Walnut Hill. It is located west of the packing house in the edge of the woods and overlooks the peach orchard and lake, and con- tains seven rooms and bath. This house will make it possible to somewhat increase our working force.
Four acres of trees have been planted this year. This new tract borders the north side of the lake and is set to Wealthy apples, Improved Black walnuts and English walnuts-the walnuts being planted as an experiment.
There has been no large forestry operation the past year. About 5,000 feet of lumber was sawed for the new tenant house and about as much more has been sawed for neighbors who hauled their logs to our mill. Some atten- tion has been given the pine forest by way of pruning the dead branches, and the work of cutting cord wood by the school boys has gone on as in recent years.
The Arboretum has been given over to the Trees and Grounds Committee. Joshua A. Cope made a careful inspection of all our woodland some months ago and very kindly wrote out a plan to be followed by the Committee, in the care of the various tracts during the next few years.
Through the kindness of interested friends, the Com- mittee on Trees and Grounds has been able to add some fine roses and other flowering plants to the gardens in
63
the South Vista. Also the banks of the road near Cape Lookout have been planted with roses of trailing habit. Tree planting has been done on the Campus and west of the South Woods, the Alumni Association contributing generously.
The farm suffered severely by drought and hail the past summer. The prices of farm products were propor- tionally lower than wages and supplies, so that the net results, while better than for most farms, were not all that could be desired. The deficit was $41.72. As here- tofore, the production of milk is the main operation and our herd of Ayreshire cows is steadily growing in value. More attention is given to the growing of potatoes. Our poultry and swine departments are well established and justify the expense of the new buildings.
The Manager of the Agricultural Department writes : "One of the worth while features of the Westtown Farm is the demonstration which is offered to the students of agriculture. The various classes make frequent visits to every department of the farm and the instruction given in dairying, in the care of poultry and swine, farm crops and fruit growing and gardening all have as a fundamental basis the work which Westtown itself is doing in these lines.
"Thirty-four students, as mentioned under another sec- tion of this report-22 boys and 12 girls-are enrolled in the Agricultural Courses this year and many who are not enrolled take an interest in what takes place on the farm. The educational influence is also extended to the neigh- borhood. Example is better than precept even in farming and it is important, therefore, that Westtown Farm should always represent a progressive and permanent type of agriculture."
On Eleventh Month 10th, 1923, at a special meeting of the Westtown Committee, George L. Jones handed in his resignation as Principal of Westtown School. The Com- mittee, feeling that the reasons given in his letter, of physi- cal limitations and the strain of long-continued institu-
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tional life for both himself and his wife, could not be disputed, with sincere regret accepted his resignation. At a later date, however, George L. Jones was asked to re- consider his decision and to remain for one more year at the school, in order to give the Committee more time to come to a decision in the selection of a new Principal. This, at a sacrifice of his personal plans, he has most kindly consented to do.
There has been a growing desire both on the part of the school and of Concord Quarterly Meeting, of which West- town Monthly Meeting is a part, that a larger number of the teachers and pupils might have the privilege of attend- ing the Quarterly Meeting sessions. Though it has not seemed possible this year to modify the school program materially, an attempt has been made to allow more free- dom in attendance, and it has been definitely decided that the Quarterly Meeting in Eleventh Month next shall be held at the school instead of at Media.
The Westtown Monthly Meeting is regularly held on . the next to last Fourth-day evenings of each month. The membership is now 81-51 adults and 30 minors.
The value of this meeting is increasingly felt since its establishment two years ago. It tends to draw the school community together into a common religious interest; it brings those teachers who come from other Yearly Meet- ings into a closer sympathetic fellowship with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, and through its committees, which are made up of both faculty and student members, it touches vitally the various currents of spiritual life in the com- munity and in the school.
The Meeting makes an earnest effort to extend a loving care to all its younger members and also to the young people at the school, of whom as many as 40 or 50 some- times attend the Monthly Meeting. There is a deep con- cern to create an environment which will develop in them a true Christian character and an appreciation of Friendly principles and practices. This influence, combined with the responsibilities of Student Government, and supple-
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menting the regular Meeting for Worship and other sources of religious life and instruction in the school should, we feel, increase the religious influence in the education at Westtown, for which the Yearly Meeting has so great a concern.
Signed by direction and on behalf of the Westtown Committee,
J. HENRY BARTLETT, Chairman.
RACHEL A. CARTER, Secretary.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., Third Month, 17th, 1923.
Financial Section 1923
Additional payments have been made on account of sub- scriptions to the so-called Westtown $250,000 Fund, so that the total amount thereof, actually received, is now $269,433, including the William C. Lowry Legacy of $5,000 and the Sarah A. C. Loyd Gift of $10,000. This sum has been allocated as follows :
For teachers' salaries $137,216.00
For various permanent improvements, now completed .
54,112.00
For enlargement of the heating plant 6,500.00
Unexpended and unappropriated . 71,605.00
$269,433.00
The Abram P. Rudolph Memorial Fund of $50,000 will hereafter produce an income for the benefit of the school, as a result of the recent decease of the surviving donor. A legacy of $1,000 bequeathed by the late Jane S. Warner, for general purposes, has also been received.
Income from Endowments will thus be increased, but as an offset to this, the income from the Bacon Bequest will hereafter be reduced because of the expenditure of some
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$40,000 of principal in erecting the new Home Economics building.
The transfers of our real and personal property to the new trustee, Friends' Fiduciary Corporation, have been completed, the corporation to hold only the bare legal title. This involved the making of a new survey of the Westtown tract of land. The amount of fire insurance carried has been considerably increased, and is being still further revised. The accounts of the Business Manager and the Treasurer have been audited.
The usual summary of the operating account is attach- ed, as an appendix to this report. It covers the fiscal year ended Sixth Month 30th, 1922. For that year the annual charge for board and tuition was increased from $300 to $400, while the enrollment was comparatively small. This statement, after including as income sundry gifts, and the Yearly Meeting's appropriation, shows an excess of receipts over expenditures of $3,716.43, and it has been a satisfaction to reduce our accumulated operat- ing deficit by this amount. The net deficit resulting from four years' operation now stands at $25,747.86. There is a hope that this may ultimately be cancelled without encroaching on the principal of the endowment funds.
Financial problems have not all fled away, for, while the cost of foodstuffs has fallen materially, nevertheless the aggregate outlay for operation still has an upward tendency. For the present year the cost per pupil will be about $700, although the exact figure cannot, of course, be given at this time.
We bespeak for Westtown School the continued liber- ality of its many friends, and from the Yearly Meeting we ask for the usual appropriation of $5,000.
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Appendix to the Report of the Westtown School
Committee Operating Account for Year Ending Sixth Month 30, 1922
INCOME
Amount received for Board and Tuition,
including income from the Scholarship Funds (charge $400 per pupil) .
$72,228.68
Income of the General Purpose Funds. 15,248.74
Income from Funds for Salaries. 29,178.49
Income from Funds for Other Purposes.
11,165.01
Appropriations from the Alumni Association (including certain appropriations from the Centennial Memorial Fund).
1,417.44
Yearly Meeting Appropriation
5,000.00
Voluntary Contributions from Parents and Guardians, in Excess of Amount Paid for Board and Tuition ..
1,926.05
Other Contributions, for General Purposes .. Contributions, used for Special Purposes .... 451.06
2,500.00
Dividend from the Farm and Dairy.
.00
Dividend from the Orchard and Forestry Department 638.64
Dividend from the Farm House 2,969.47
Miscellaneous Receipts 393.62
Actual Income $143,117.20
Add the estimated value of board and living quarters furnished to officers, teachers and employees 21,076.70
Total
.$164,193.90
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Operating Account, 1921-22
EXPENDITURES
(Each item including the estimated value of board and living quarters, if any, furnished to officers, teachers or employees, as part of their compensation.)
Officers, Teachers and Secretaries $64,925.13
Office Supplies and Expenses 2,807.34
Real Estate Maintenance 11,813.58
Taxes 2,401.15
Fire Insurance 2,195.31
Heat, Light and Water
15,563.52
Laundry Operation, less receipts
2,831.95
Kitchen and Dining Room Supplies and
Service
33,672.98
Housekeeping Supplies and Service. 6,888.05
3,294.78
Physicians', Nurses' and Medical Supplies ... School Supplies
1,393.71
Campus, Gardens and Greenhouse, less credits
5,617.32
Library, Magazines and Newspapers.
543.21
Operating Stage, net.
2,033.50
Teachers' Retirement Fund.
687.73
Interest on Money Borrowed (less interest on bank deposits) 889.85 Miscellaneous Disbursements of Special Funds 2,452.05
Liability Insurance and Sundry Expenses . ...
466.31
Total Operating Cost (including the estimat- ed value of board and living quarters fur- nished to officers, teachers and employees, viz .: $21,076.70) $160,477.47
Total Income as already stated . $164,193.90 Deduct Total Operating Cost. 160,477.47
Credit Balance for the year $3,716.43
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Accumulated Deficit for the three previous years
$29,464.29
Deduct Credit Balance for last year 3,716.43
Net Deficit for four years 1918-22 $25,747.86
Note : Although the foregoing statement shows a credit balance for the past year, there was of course no actual profit from operation, in view of the fact that such items as the Yearly Meeting appropriations, donations from friends of the school, and donations from parents are included in the so-called operating income.
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Report of the Social Order Committee
To Philadelphia Yearly Meeting:
The Social Order Committee in co-operation with the Representative Meeting has prepared a suggested revision of the 8th Query and a new paragraph for the Advices. These will be presented by the Representative Meeting.
It is hoped that this Query and Advice will help us to realize the changes which have occurred in the industrial and economic system and to face with sincerity the new problems of human relationships which they have brought. The old days of largely individual action have gone and we now carry on business under a complex system in which groups rather than individuals are the important factors. We are faced with the difficult problem of making this complicated system carry out the ideals of Christianity ; of applying the Golden Rule in such matters as hours of work, wages and the representation of employees in the management of industry. There are already men of vision in business who by their ideals and practical experiments are leading the way toward the time when mutual con- fidence and peace will displace distrust and conflict in our industrial life. We have the opportunity and responsibil- ity of doing our part toward this end.
Much work has been done by some of our groups. The Household Problems' Group has held meetings on such subjects as "Children in Industry," "Health" and "Quaker Ideals." The Farmers' Group made a tour among a number of New Jersey farms, considering such subjects as Italian labor camps, improved tenant houses, the earning and paying of unusual wages, and an ex- periment in profit sharing.
A year ago the Business Problems' Group studied un- employment insurance, and as a result, two firms have taken steps to lay aside funds to pay employees when laid off for lack of work, and a number of others are
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collecting data on unemployment among their workers, with a view to the possible adoption of similar plans for the future. There is a growing interest in questions of industrial democracy, and this year the main topic has been employees' participation in management and profits. Representatives of companies that have made advanced strides in this direction addressed the Group on several occasions. Of particular value was a talk given by William P. Hapgood of the Columbia Conserve Company, Indianapolis, which is managed by a council of interested employees. Any worker in the plant may become a member of this council by attending its meetings eight times in succession. The council handles practically all the company problems including production, sales and finance. All workers are paid on a salary basis rather than a wage basis, so that they receive their regular pay regardless of short time, sickness or vacations ; and on the other hand their pay is not increased when longer hours are worked, as is necessary at some seasons. William Hapgood stated that the plan has resulted in increased prosperity for the company.
Various members of the committee have addressed meetings both within and without our membership. A News Bulletin has been issued, which it is hoped will appear quarterly.
Edward W. Evans having been granted a year's absence from the Secretaryship, Elizabeth T. Rhoads was appointed Secretary for the year. Although she was unavoidably compelled to absent herself from the work for several months, she is now taking it up again, and we are gratified to have her services.
The expenses of the Committee have been met as here- tofore by the members of the groups and interested friends.
The term of service of this Committee expires in 1924. It is suggested therefore, that the Yearly Meeting appoint a nominating committee this year to consider the appoint- ment of a new Social Order Committee.
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We have purposely made this report brief with the hope that it may be supplemented by oral expression from some of those interested in the work.
Signed on behalf of the Committee,
BERNARD G. WARING, Chairman.
PHILADELPHIA, Third Month 23, 1923.
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Report of Willits Committee
The Willits Committee has during the past year con- tinued its work of selecting moral and religious literature for distribution among the negroes of Liberia and of our Southern States in accordance with the provision in the will of the late Charles L. Willits. The aim has been to issue The African's Friend quarterly as an eight page. paper, but increased expenses and decreased income have: made it necessary to omit one number.
By the aid of the Consul to Liberia and another inter- ested person, we have been able to revise our list of those receiving The African's Friend in that country.
The issue of 5,000 is divided between the two regions; the share sent to the Southern States is insufficient to sup- ply the demand ; one man from South Carolina asking for 300 was awarded but 50 copies.
From letters received, we believe the little periodical is sowing some good seed which falls at times on good ground.
We quote from one letter :
"January 20, 1923.
"Accidently a copy of The African's Friend fell into my hands. At once I saw the great value of the paper and wanted to identify myself with it in some way. Will you kindly allow me to represent the paper in this community, county or state, as a distributing agent? I feel that the paper has a great spiritual and educational value for my people.
"I am vice-president of the Pitts Ind. Institute and am in position to reach a large part of the people of the state. "I hope to hear from you. I am,
"Yours very truly, "R. J. JONES, Gretna, Va."
On behalf of the Committee,
WM. B. HARVEY, Clerk ..
PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Third Month 12, 1923.
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Annual Report Committee on Records and Changes in Membership
To the Representative Meeting:
The total Membership reported for Twelfth Month 1st, 1921, was 4493.
Reports received by the Committee indicate the follow- ing changes :
Gains :
Births 44
Certificates received 89
Membership by request 68
Total 201
Losses :
Deaths 69
Certificates granted 75
Resignations 8
Disowned or. dropped 1
Total 153
Net gain 48. Total Membership reported as of Twelfth Month 1st, 1922, 4541.
A "Tabular Statement" of the foregoing accompanies this report. Other information, asked for by the Yearly Meeting of 1921, has been compiled. Some Meetings did not report in full, and there were different interpretations as to the meaning of certain questions asked. The follow- ing figures may be accepted as approximately correct : Number of non-members married to members. 553
Number of children (minors) having one parent a member 519
Number of non-members attending our Meetings with more or less frequency . 264
Number of above classes admitted to membership dur- ing the year 36
Signed on behalf of the Committee, 1372
WATSON W. DEWEES, Clerk.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Third Month 15, 1923.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
TOTALS
Births
Certificates
Requests
Deaths
Certificates
Resignations
Dis'd or Drop'd
N'et Gain
Net Loss
12th mo. 1, 1922
Adult-Males
Adult-Females
Minors
Phila., Arch St.
292| 4| 1|10||
6 3 1
5
297|
110|
139
48
Phila., 12th St.
568| 3| 5| 6||
10|16| 1|
13|
555|
217
239
99
Muncy
109| 1|
| 3||
3
1 |
110
36
47
27
Haverford
225|
1 5 4
2 4
4|
229
88|
85|
56
Totals for Quarter
1194
1191|
451|
510|
230
Abington
26|
1|
27
6
8|
13
Frankford
77|
1| 1 |||
2
79
47
24
8
Gwynedd
46|
4|
1
3
49
15
23
11
Germantown
512|
8|13|20||
4 4 1
32
544|
180
201
163
Totals for Quarter
661
699|
276
83
125|
68
Goshen
44
44
17
20
7
Concord
28
| 4|
4
32
11
13
8
Wilmington
89|
4| 4||
1! |1|
6|
95
34
38.
23
Birmingham
263| 3|17| 3||
4| 8|
11
274
74
143
57
Lansdowne
185| 1| 2|
1
2| 6|
5|
180|
59
60
61
Westtown
73| 2|13
1| 8|
6
79
18
30
31
Totals for Quarter
955
980|
296
429
255
Bradford
156
2| || 2|
156
68
60
28
Uwchlan
43
2|
45
16
19
10
Totals for Quarter
199
201|
84
79
38
Kennett
85| 1
| 1|| 1| 7|
6
79
34
31
14
New Garden
156|
2 2 65
7
149
65
64|
20
London Grove
29
| 1|
29
8
10
11
Totals for Quarter
270
257
107|
105|
45
Burlington
89
5| 2| 1|||
8|
81 |
32
39
10
Chesterfield
58
3| |
1| 1|
4
54
22
23
9
U. Springfield
16
1
15
7|
4|
4
Falls
141
1| 1||1|
-
1
142|
45
50
47
Totals for Quarter
304
292
106|
116|
70
Haddonfield
187| 2| 2
5| 2|
3
184|
60
82
42
Chester, N. J.
436|10| 5| 5||
9
14
450|
125|
188
137
Evesham
52| 1|
11
1|
52
,18
22
12
U. Evesham
159| 1| 1| 2|| 2|1
1|
160|
57
58
45
Woodbury
52| 2|
1| 1|
52
21
21
10:
Salem
24
1|
1
23
6|
6|
11
Totals for Quarter
910
921| 287 377| 257
TOTALS
4493|44 89 68 | 69 75| 8| 1|| 96|48|4541|1579 |1872 1090
Net gain, 48. Membership 12th mo. 1, 1922, 4541.
Phila. Quarter
Abington Quarter
Concord Quarter
| Caln Quar.
| Western Quarter
Burlington and Bucks
Haddonfield and Salem
GAINS
LOSSES
12th mo. 1, 192I
.
Chester, Pa.
273| 3| 7| 2||
1| 8|
3
248|
256|
195
Members
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-
Report of the Book Committee
The Book Committee in submitting its annual report, wishes especially to call the attention of the Meeting to the widening of its endeavors.
Prior to 1920 very few books were handled in our Book Store other than the approved writings of Friends : such in the main as had been examined and passed by a Committee of the Representative Meeting. Since the above date, however, we have materially enlarged our field, for whereas formerly, the literature was mostly of Philadelphia origin, the demand of our Friendly reading public has resulted in our having on the sales shelves, many English Friends' publications, besides many books of merit from other than Quaker sources, these include Bible helps, juveniles, biography, Natural History, etc.
From a sales point of view, we have, we believe, been able to satisfy the reasonable demands of our clientele, and it is our earnest concern that the spiritual values should not be sacrificed. In this connection, it may be stated that the circulation of our approved writings for the past year has been equal to the average for recent years.
The outstanding books for the year have been Chris- tian Life, Faith and Thought in the Society of Friends, being Part I of the new London Discipline, and The Journal of John Woolman, by Amelia Mott Gummere, which latter was published directly under our auspices.
Sales in the Book Store have increased by about 50 per cent each year for three years past, which record shows a fairly healthy growth. Within the past year the total cash received was $5,295.54, while the total output was 5,033 volumes and 4,372 pamphlets. Of these there were donated 458 volumes and 1,385 pamphlets, valued at $488.49.
Numerous free grants of books have been made to institutions, libraries and individuals in this and various
77
other countries ; the requests for this literature have doubt- less been largely stimulated by the great publicity brought upon Friends through the European child feeding: this fact places added responsibilities on the Quakerism of today.
Never before perhaps have Friends needed to think more clearly in order to be faithful exponents of our principles as set forth in the literature of Friends, both ancient and modern. We are glad to have been able to respond to requests for books and other printed matter.
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