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BASED UPON A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF
THE HALIFAX DISASTER
BY
SAMUEL HENRY PRINCE, M. A. (Tor.)
submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the degree of doctor of philosophy
in the
Faculty of Political Science
Columbia University
NEW YORK
1920
Halifax
is not a large city
but there are those who love it
who would choose to dwell therein
before all cities beneath
the skies
To
All Such
CITIZENS, PAR EXCELLENCE,
I COUNT IT AN HONOR TO DEDICATE
THESE LINES
The following pages embody the result of an observationalstudy of the social phenomena attendant upon one ofthe greatest catastrophies in history—the Halifax Disaster.The idea of the work was suggested while carrying out acivic community study of the disaster city under the directionof Professor F. H. Giddings of Columbia University.
The account deals first with the shock and disintegrationas the writer observed it. Individual and group reactionsare next examined in the light of sociological theory.The chapters on Social Organization are an effort to picturethat process as it actually occurred.
The writer has also tried faithfully to record any importantcontribution which Social Economy was able tomake in the direction of systematic rehabilitation. Specialreference is made to private initiative and governmentalcontrol in emergency relief. This monograph is in nosense, however, a relief survey. Its chief value to theliterature of relief will lie in its bearing upon predictablesocial movements in great emergencies.
Nor is the book a history of the disaster. It is rather,as the title suggests, an intensive study of two social orders,between which stands a great catastrophe, and its thesis isthe place of catastrophe in social change.
In the preparation of this work, which the author believesto be the first attempt to present a purely scientificand sociological treatment of any great disaster, he has receivedinvaluable assistance. A few grateful lines canill-express his obligation to his Professors of the Department of Sociology. To Professor F. H. Giddings the volume owesits inspiration and much of its social philosophy. To ProfessorA. A. Tenney it owes its present form and structureand any literary excellence it may possess. Professor R. E.Chaddock has read the manuscript throughout and hascontributed many helpful suggestions. Professor S. M. Lindsayhas read the chapter on Social Legislation, and ProfessorR. S. Woodworth of the Department of