The Survey, Volume 30, Number 1, April 5, 1913

This 1913 issue of a forward‑looking social‑policy journal captures a moment when America was grappling with rapid industrial change and the growing demand for public welfare. Its pages bring together essays on topics as varied as the emerging science of fingerprinting, compensation for occupational illnesses, and the role of government in shaping a social agenda. Readers also encounter lighter pieces on community life and even a curious note on “strange incense,” reflecting the eclectic mix of concerns that animated the era.

The centerpiece is a detailed report on the recent flood and tornado disasters that devastated the Mississippi Valley and the Midwest. It chronicles how the Red Cross and a network of charitable societies mobilized with unprecedented speed, coordinating with military, health officials, and local volunteers to deliver rescue, sanitation, and food aid. The article offers a vivid snapshot of early 20th‑century disaster management, illustrating both the challenges and the emerging professionalism of humanitarian response.