The University of Virginia record :: March 15, 1927

EDWIN ANDERSON ALDERMAN, Ph.B., D.C.L., LL.D.	Ex Officio Chairman
JOHN LLOYD NEWCOMB, B.A., C.E.	Assistant to the President
ARMISTEAD MASON DOBIE, M.A., LL.B., S.J.D.	Professor of Law
WILSON GEE, M.A., Ph.D.	Professor of Rural Economics and Rural Sociology
TIPTON RAY SNAVELY, M.A., Ph.D.	Professor of Economics
BRUCE WILLIAMS, Ph.D.	Professor of Political Science
DUMAS MALONE, M.A., Ph.D.	Professor of History
FLOYD NELSON HOUSE, Ph.D.	Professor of Sociology
WILLIAM SUMNER APPLETON POTT, M.A., Ph.D.	Associate Professor of Philosophy
FRANK BANE	Associate Professor of Applied Sociology
FRANK WILLIAM HOFFER, M.A.	Associate Research Professor of Public Welfare
WILLIAM HENRY STOUFFER, M.A., Ph.D.	Research Associate in Economics
LESTER J. CAPPON, M.A.	Research Associate in History
JOHN JAY CORSON, 3rd, B.S.	Research Assistant in Economics

Establishment.—The announcement was made by President Alderman
to the Rector and the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia during
the commencement exercises last June that the Laura Spelman Rockefeller
Memorial had made a grant of $137,500 to the University for research
in the field of the social sciences—economics, government, sociology, history,
psychology, philosophy and related subjects. The grant extends over
a five year period, $27,500 becoming available each of the years from July
1, 1926 to July 1, 1931.

The work under the provisions of the grant has been organized as an
Institute for Research in the Social Sciences. The President of the University,

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the Assistant to the President, the Dean of the Graduate Department,
the members of the University faculty of professorial rank in the
schools of History, Economics, Government, Jurisprudence, Philosophy,
Psychology, and Sociology and the employed personnel constitute the membership
of the Institute.

As outlined in the resolutions which were adopted by the Institute, "the
duty of this Institute shall be to promote research effort, both individual and
group, in the Social Sciences at the University of Virginia—at the outset
primarily in the field of Virginia problems. It shall further be the function
of the Institute to consider any matter that concerns the development of
the Social Sciences in the University of Virginia, making recommendations
thereon to the President of the University."

Social Science Building.—The University of Virginia Institute for Research
in the Social Sciences is housed in one of the original Jefferson buildings
of the University formerly known as the Old Medical Building. The
interior of the structure has been thoroughly repaired and put in excellent
condition for the activities of the Institute. Provision is made for office
space and equipment for the research workers, and also a general office has
been set up where supplies and secretarial assistance may be obtained.

Scope of Research Effort.—The grant to the University of Virginia is
being utilized at the outset primarily for research into a number of vital
economic and social problems in the life of the State. It has chosen this
field for two reasons. First because Virginia is in a changing period of its
history, and needs full light on its problems to direct as wisely as possible
the current of transition. And secondly, the University of Virginia realizes
that it is a State University and desires to relate itself more and more
intimately with the people and the life of the State in general, feeling that
such a relationship will be mutually beneficial. However, the work of the Institute
in its full development will not be limited to the field of Virginia problems
but large provision will be made for scholarly research in the broader phases of
social science research without respect to geographical boundaries.

The research in the Institute is carried on as the professor's own research
project assisted by well-trained research workers. The plan is to limit the
number of problems to be studied, and to do these thoroughly, and in a
way that will make the investigations of a practical immediate or ultimate
value in the life of the State. A definite portion of the grant is being allotted
for the publication of the studies when completed.

Investigations in Progress

1. A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PUBLIC WELFARE SYSTEM
OF VIRGINIA, by Frank Bane, Associate Professor of Applied Sociology,
and F. W. Hoffer, Associate Research Professor of Public Welfare.—
A constructively critical approach to the whole public welfare situation in
Virginia, the aim being to suggest needed improvements in the existing machinery,

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and particularly to formulate plans at the University of Virginia
for the training of public welfare workers.

2. THE REVENUE SYSTEM AND TAX LAWS OF VIRGINIA, by
Tipton R. Snavely, Professor of Economics, and W. H. Stouffer, Research
Associate in Economics.—Including a study of The Burden of Taxation on
Agriculture and The Taxation of Industrial Enterprises. The purpose of
these investigations is to determine the relative effects of the existing tax
laws on the particular groups of people concerned.

3. A SURVEY OF THE LITERATURE AND SOURCES OF SOUTHERN
POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL
HISTORY SINCE RECONSTRUCTION, by Dumas Malone, Professor
of History and Lester J. Cappon, Research Associate in History.—A critical
bibliography of the literature of southern history since reconstruction which
includes a survey chiefly of monographic materials, biographies, official publications
of federal and state governments, learned societies and religious organizations,
and southern newspapers and periodicals.

4. A STATISTICAL STUDY OF THE RANK OF VIRGINIA
AMONG THE SEVERAL STATES OF THE NATION, by Wilson Gee,
Professor of Rural Economics and Rural Sociology, and John J. Corson, 3rd,
Research Assistant in Economics.—A comprehensive study made from all
possible statistical sources, determining the rank of the state in education,
wealth, manufacturing, agriculture, vital statistics, etc.

5. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTY IN VIRGINIA, by a
Research Professor of Government on the staff of the Institute.—Including
a brief survey of the historical aspects of the subject, a comparison of the
existing situations in Virginia with the best examples of modern county government,
the fee system, and the formulation of a comprehensive program of
reform for county government in Virginia.

6. COMMUNITY STUDIES, by Floyd N. House, Professor of Sociology
in cooperation with the Co-operative Education Association of Virginia.—An
intensive survey of several typical communities which is expected
to develop later into a regional study of the State.

University of Virginia Library

THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

OFFICERS OF ADMINISTRATION.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Investigations in Progress

THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN THE SOCIAL
SCIENCES