Chapter I: Preface

The following pages embody the result of an observational study of the social phenomena attendant upon one of the greatest catastrophies in history--the Halifax Disaster. The idea of the work was suggested while carrying out a civic community study of the disaster city under the direction of Professor F. H. Giddings of Columbia University.

The account deals first with the shock and disintegration as the writer observed it. Individual and group reactions are next examined in the light of sociological theory. The chapters on Social Organization are an effort to picture that process as it actually occurred.

The writer has also tried faithfully to record any important contribution which Social Economy was able to make in the direction of systematic rehabilitation. Special reference is made to private initiative and governmental control in emergency relief. This monograph is in no sense, however, a relief survey. Its chief value to the literature of relief will lie in its bearing upon predictable social 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 is the place of catastrophe in social change.

In the preparation of this work, which the author believes to be the first attempt to present a purely scientific and sociological treatment of any great disaster, he has received invaluable assistance. A few grateful lines can ill-express his obligation to his Professors of the Department of Sociology. To Professor F. H. Giddings the volume owes its inspiration and much of its social philosophy. To Professor A. A. Tenney it owes its present form and structure and any literary excellence it may possess. Professor R. E. Chaddock has read the manuscript throughout and has contributed many helpful suggestions. Professor S. M. Lindsay has read the chapter on Social Legislation, and Professor R. S. Woodworth of the Department of Psychology, that on Disaster Psychology. The author is under special tribute to Professor H. R. Seager, and to Professor Tenney, who most cheerfully sacrificed part of a summer vacation to read and revise the manuscript and proof.

Without the walls of the University there are also those who have given aid. The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Dr. Edward T. Devine of New York, of Mr. C. C. Carstens of Boston, of Mr. Thomas Mackay, of Ottawa, and of Miss E. M. A. Vaughan, of the St. John Public Library. He has enjoyed the cooperation of many friends and fellow-townsmen of Halifax. He desires to thank particularly, Miss L. F. Barnaby, of the Halifax Citizens' Library, Miss J. B. Wisdom, of the Halifax Welfare Bureau, Rev. W. J. Patton of St. Paul's Church, Mr. W. C. Milner, of the Public Archives of Canada, Mr. L. Fred. Monaghan, Halifax City Clerk, Mr. G. K. Butler, Supervisor of Halifax Schools, Mr. R. M. Hattie, Secretary of the Halifax Town-Planning Commission, Dr. Franklin B. Royer, Director of the Massachusetts-Halifax Health Commission, Mr. E. A. Saunders, Secretary of the Halifax Board of Trade, Mr. E. H. Blois, Superintendent of Neglected and Delinquent Children, and last of all and most of all his friend of many years, Mr. A. J. Johnstone, editor of the _Dartmouth Independent_.

S. H. P.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK, OCTOBER, 1920.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
PAGE

The "catastrophe" in sociological literature 13

The "catastrophic view" _vs._ progress in evolution 14

Factors in social change 15

The stimuli factors 16

What crises mean 16

Communities and great vicissitudes 19

Causes of immobility 19

Catastrophe and progress 21

Historic cases suggested for study 23

CHAPTER I

CATASTROPHE AND SOCIAL DISINTEGRATION

The City of Halifax 25

Terrific nature of the explosion 26

Destruction of life and property 26

The subsequent fire and storms 29

Annihilation of homes 31

Arresting of business 31

Disintegration of the social order 32

CHAPTER II

CATASTROPHE AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Shock reaction 36

Hallucination 37

Primitive instincts 39

Crowd psychology 41

Phenomena of emotion 44

How men react when bereft completely 47

Post-catastrophic phenomena 48

Human nature in the absence of repression by conventionality,
custom and law 49

Fatigue and the human will 52

The stimuli of heroism 55

Mutual aid 56

CHAPTER III

CATASTROPHE AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

The organization of relief 59

The disaster protocracy 60

The transition from chaos through leadership 61

Utility of association 62

Vital place of communication 62

Imitation 63

Social pressure 63

Consciousness of kind 63

Discussion 64

Circumstantial pressure 64

Climate 65

Geographic determinants 67

Classification of factors 67

CHAPTER IV

CATASTROPHE AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATION (CONTINUED)

The reorganization of the civil social order 69

Division of labor 69

Resumption of normal activities 70

State and voluntary associations 71

Order of reestablishment 71

Effects of environmental change 75

The play of imitation 77

The stimulus of lookers-on 78

Social conservation 79

CHAPTER V

CATASTROPHE AND SOCIAL ECONOMY

The contribution of social service 80

Its four-fold character 83

The principles of relief 85

Rehabilitation 86

Phases of application 87

Criticisms 92

A new principle 95

Social results 96

Summary for future guidance 97

CHAPTER VI

CATASTROPHE AND SOCIAL LEGISLATION

Governmental agencies in catastrophe 102

What seems to be expected of governments 103

What they actually do 103

Social legislation 104

A permanent contribution 109

CHAPTER VII

CATASTROPHE AND SOCIAL SURPLUS

Mill's explanation of the rapidity with which communities
recover from disaster 111

The case of San Francisco 111

The case of Halifax 112

Social surplus 112

The equipmental factors 113

Correlation of tragedy in catastrophe with generosity of
public response 114

Catastrophe insurance 116

A practical step 117

CHAPTER VIII

CATASTROPHE AND SOCIAL CHANGE

The unchanging Halifax of the years 118

The causes of social immobility 119

The new birthday 122

The indications of change--appearance, expansion of business,
population, political action, city-planning, housing, health,
education, recreation, community spirit 123

Carsten's prophecy 140

CHAPTER IX

CONCLUSION

Recapitulation 141

The various steps in the study presented in propositional form 142

The role of catastrophe 145

Index 147

"This awful catastrophe is not the end but the beginning. History does
not end so. It is the way its chapters open."--_St. Augustine._