APPENDIX I
 

Methods of Investigation

In the opinion of the writer an investigation such as the
present one is only valuable in so far as it affords the careful
reader opportunity for testing for himself the effectiveness and
accuracy of the methods used. For that purpose the follow¬
ing discussion of methods employed in collecting the facts
already presented has been introduced. This discussion does
not aim to be a brief in defence of those methods, but under¬
takes to analyze and criticize their bad as well as their good
features.

This investigation was undertaken for the Committee on
Congestion of Population in the autumn of 1907; it was com¬
pleted subsequently in the Bureau of Social Research, under
the Russell Sage Foundation. A small part of the material
was used at the Exhibit of Congestion of Population in 1908.
The entire study has since that time extended quite beyond the
scope originally anticipated.

The purpose of the investigation was to determine so far as
possible the effect of. concentration of industries upon the gen¬
eral problem of congestion of population. The two phases of
this problem were recognized at once, namely, the causes which
have influenced the location of the industries, and secondly,
the effect upon population of the location of factories. As far
as the writer was able to ascertain, there existed no available
data. In order to secure the necessary information, it was de¬
cided that a first-hand study of manufacturing establishments
should be undertaken. The manufacturers should be. ques¬
tioned as to their reasons for locating their factories in' New
York City. The study aimed to include other establishments
215]                                                                                                         315