FOREWORD 



According to the United States Census, San Diego's population 

 in 1910 was over 39,000, with an increase in population of 123 

 per cent during the 1900-10 period. The present estimated popu- 

 lation is about 80,000. The city's growth during the 1900-10 per- 

 iod, and also in the years following, gives proof of the remark- 

 able commercial activity of the community. Further growth 

 may be predicted upon completion of the San Diego & Arizona 

 Railroad, now a definite undertaking. The city will then become 

 a natural outlet for Imperial Valley and Southern Arizona. This 

 will give a much needed additional outlet for San Diego, which 

 is reached at present by a single trunk line from other sections 

 of the state. The city's commercial activity culminates in the 

 Panama Exposition in 1915 to mark the opening of the Panama 

 Canal. 



Up to the present time the energy of the community has di- 

 rected itself in general along commercial lines, developing the 

 opportunities of the real estate boomer and his moneyed patron. 

 However, during the past ten years a community spirit has be- 

 gun to take definite shape which has for its end the betterment 

 of the social needs of the entire city — a recognition of the neces- 

 sities of the working population as well as of the capitalist, the 

 retired business man, and the real estate speculator. This new 

 social spirit has begun to crystallize and find expression in the 

 various church organizations and civic societies. As evidence of 

 the activity of these agencies, we find the following changes for 

 the better during the past ten years: A re-incorporation of the 

 city under a commission form of government, a general improve- 

 ment in the management of the County Hospital and City Board 

 of Health, an attempt at city planning, the city play-ground 

 movement, the closing of the red light or restricted district and 

 establishment of the Juvenile Court. Private agencies also have 

 been developed in this ten-year period. An Associated Charities 

 has been organized and a fine new Y. M. C. A. building erected. 



While for the most part the community's social workers may 

 not be trained in handling social problems as in the larger East- 

 ern cities, the interest of the workers, both in public and private 

 agencies, is fresh and vigorous. Moreover, in the expression of 

 its larger social life, the city has fallen into but few "ruts" such 

 as are typical of some Eastern cities, and a stumbling block in the 



