THE NEW INTERNATIONAL YEAR BOOK A COMPENDIUM OF THE WORLD'S FOR THE YEAR 1924 EDITORS FRANK MOORE COLBY, M.A. HERBERT TREADWELL WADE NEW YORK DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 1925 PREFACE For the first time since the NEW INTERNATIONAL YEAR BOOK was established in 1898 its preface is signed with a name other than that of the founder of this series of annuals. The death of Frank Moore Colby, the Editor of the YEAR BOOK, followed an illness which prevented his giving his usual attention to the preparation of this volume. However, the planning and organization of the 1924 YEAR BOOK was accomplished in his usual careful manner, though he was compelled to relinquish the execution to his associates. Accordingly for any defects and deficiencies that may have developed in this YEAR BOOK, the Acting Editor must assume responsibility, while its many good points and its general scope reflect the critical taste and organizing genius of its late Editor. No attempt has been made to do more than carry out his plans and general arrangements. The YEAR BOOK serves to bridge the gap between the news of the day and its methodical coördination and correlation into historical narrative, as well as to provide ready reference to statistical and other information of permanent service. The YEAR BOOK seeks to be not only international but comprehensive, and the year 1924 shows the importance of such a record. In international affairs the attempt to restore normal conditions in Europe shown by the adoption of the Dawes Plan and the sessions of the Council of the League of Nations, discussed under WAR OF THE NATIONS, RESULTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF, and also under INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND ARBITRATION, share in interest with the establishment of new ministries in GREAT BRITAIN and FRANCE. Political activities of importance ruled in ITALY, RUSSIA, GERMANY, CHINA, and EGYPT. In the history of the UNITED STATES the outstanding event of the year was the presidential campaign, but other matters such as the KU KLUX KLAN, PROHIBITION and its enforcement, and reduction of TAXATION also figured. The usual discussions of world and national economic trends are given in the FINANCIAL REVIEW, while in the field of social science, LABOR and LABOR LEGISLATION, MINIMUM WAGE, MATERNITY PROTECTION, OLD AGE PENSIONS, SOCIALISM, STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, TRADE UNIONS, UNEMPLOYMENT, WOMEN IN INDUSTRY, and WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION receive consideration. Once again the YEAR BOOK presents its usual review of the literature of the year-LITERATURE, ENGLISH AND AMERICAN; FRENCH LITERATURE; GERMAN LITERATURE; SCANDINAVIAN LITERATURE; SPANISH LITERATURE— useful summaries in which all fields of literary activity are represented in discriminating critiques. In the department of engineering and construc tion the year saw important advances, as in ARCHITECTURE, BRIDGES, DAMS, PORTS AND HARBORS, TUNNELS, WATER WORKS, while progress was scored in AERONAUTICS, SHIPBUILDING and various branches of ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, including, of course, that wide field of radio engineering, not to mention RAILWAYS, WATER POWER, and INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES. AGRICULTURE both in its economic and technical relations developed during the period considered, while such basic industries as COAL, IRON AND STEEL, TEXTILE MANUFACTURING, PETROLEUM, LEATHER, are considered in their broader aspects. In pure science, ANTHROPOLOGY, ASTRONOMY, BOTANY, CHEMISTRY, GEOLOGY, PHYSICS, ZOOLOGY all enjoyed advances, while MEDICINE scored in its effects at the prevention and conquest of disease. PAINTING AND SCULPTURE also were of importance with some notable exhibitions, and an important record in MUSIC is treated. During the year, interest not only continued in PHILOSOPHY and PSYCHOLOGY, including, of course, PSYCHO-ANALYSIS, but was even broader, and many important contributions were made, the nature of which is discussed in appropriate articles. In short, the record of the year 1924 is submitted with the belief that the period here covered is no less interesting than that of the years immediately preceding. HERBERT TREADWELL WADE. THE EDITORS FRANK MOORE COLBY, M. A.* HERBERT TREADWELL WADE LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS AGRICULTURE, BOTANY, FOOD, FORESTRY, HORTICULTURE, RECLAMATION, ETC. EDWIN WEST ALLEN, PH.D., UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ALFRED CHARLES TRUE, PH.D., ANTHROPOLOGY (WITH ETHNOLOGY) UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. ARCHEOLOGY OLIVER SAMUEL TONKS., PH.D., PROFESSOR OF ART, VASSAR COLLEGE. ARCHITECTURE TALBOT F. HAMLIN, L. J. INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND ARBITRATION CLINTON ROGERS WOODRUFF, LL.B., SECRETARY OF THE MUNICIPAL NATIONAL LEAGUE AND MEMBER OF THE MOHONK CONFERENCE; FORMERLY PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF PERSONAL REGISTRATION, PHILADELPHIA. LITERATURE, ENGLISH AND AMERI CAN WILLIAM BENFIELD PRESSEY, A.M., ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH, DARTMOUTH COLLEGE. MEDICAL SUBJECTS EDWARD PREBLE, M.D., MILITARY PROGRESS COLONEL, INFANTRY, U. S. A. MINERALOGY HERBERT P. WHITLOCK, C.E., CURATOR DEPARTMENT OF MINERALOGY, AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, NEW YORK CITY. |