These are the months that count. This issue of the Review brings notice of many bills introduced in various states for the betterment of prison conditions and for the welfare of the prisoner. Let prisoners’ aid societies show during these next few months that they can work for legislation as well as talk, co-operate with other organizations as well as criticize, get results as well as get out annual reports. Let us not be discouraged because it may often be said that “there is no hope of getting a bill like that through this year.” Passing a bill is only one of the steps in the process of educating public sentiment up to the acceptance of a new idea. Education must begin somewhere and sometime. So let us be active in advocating and introducing good legislation, even though we may not get all we want in any one year.

We have one of the most important messages in the field of practical philanthropy. Americans, particularly in the eastern states, are loth to wear their hearts upon their sleeves. So we hesitate sometimes perhaps, to emphasize the message we have. Yet—life is short, and the field is wide. Prisons are still far from solving the problems of the deprivation of liberty, punishment, the protection of society, the rehabilitation of the criminal, and the reduction of crimes.

Therefore, let us not forget the missionary nature of the prisoners’ aid society. But, in spreading far and wide the facts regarding the prisoner and the duty of society in his behalf, let us not fall into the error of being fanatical because our field is one of magnitude. Accepting the proposition that the great public wants definite and impressive information, not simply emotional enthusiasm or tirade, let us present honestly and vigorously conditions as they are, and also make constructive suggestions as to their possible betterment, never forgetting the many difficulties that prison administrators are forced to meet which are not of their own making.

This number of the Review begins to illustrate the purpose of the editors. This periodical should be a live news sheet of events and discussions in the prison and prisoners’ aid field. So we publish this month a noteworthy article by an Iowa warden with progressive ideas; we print also Mr. Whitin’s conclusion about the use of prisoners in road making and about the administrative problems raised by their use.

Several prisoners’ aid societies are described by their own representatives. This journal’s first purpose is to be a bond of union between these societies. Then follow a number of pages of notes on events in the prison field. We hope the Review deserves the co-operation of all engaged in the prison field. Paraphrasing the Old Farmer’s Almanac: “Now is the time to subscribe!”