The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-10-09
Census Figures Show Wash
ington Mortality Record
One of Worst in u. S.
NEGRO POPULATION
ATTRIBUTED CAUSE
Poor Housing and Housekeeping
Blamed-Denied Capital
Is Unhealthy.

Figures made public by the Census
Bureau show that Washington has the
third largest death rate Of any city in
the United States.
The highest death rate was reach
ed by New Orleans with zoe per thou
sand. Next was Fall River. Mass,
with 19.1 and the third greatest was
Washington, d. G, with 10.
The high death rate in the District
of Columbia is attributed by Health
Officer Woodward to the large per-
centage Of negro population.
AS far as relative healthful condi-
tions are concerned" said DR.. Wood
ward, Il would be just as willing
TO take my chances in Washington as in
ST. Paul, which has the lowest death
rate of any city in the country Tie
figures of the Census Bureau cannot be
taken as conclusive proof that Wash
ington is an unheaithful city.
The high death rate is attributable
more than anything else TO the large
percentage of negro population The
cOlored death rate for the year 1903 was
267O per cent, as compared to iA73 per
cent among the whites.
Bad Housing Cause
The high death rate among the col
ored race is in my judgment due to
bad housing, Incident, to 4 certain ex-
tent, 10 defective construction and To-
cation: but probably to an even greater
extent to bad housekeeping, to bad
clothing. to bad feeding, and 10 the alb
sence of needed medical attendance
when needed. And all OF these are due
to poverty and ignorance
For the excessive death rate among
our colored people, there is no sovereign
remedy. The Government has already
done much to reduce il other things
must be done. and are now under con-
sideratiOn, as the establishment of pub
lie baths, the reclamation of the Ana
costa fats. and the extension OF public
Fairgrounds.
Everything further depends upon the
initiative Of the individual and the most
that can be done is TO place the indi-
vidUal in a position where he will take
that initiative
This can be effected only by eduCa-
ticn, not necessarily school education,
but in The art of keeping the home,
however Door. clean, and of making
the best use of such facilities as II
affords for light and ventilation.
Remedy Suggested.
"As for the general high death rate
in the District of Columbia L can ofrer
no other explanation. The reclamation
of the Anacostia fats, for which the
Commissioners have this year included
an item in their estimates. would in
my opinion lower the general death
rate.
The elimination Of the slums also
would tend toward that end, but at
the same time the slums are to a fac
tor to be considered in other large cities
which have a lower death rate than
Washington"
"AH things considered Washington in
my opinion is not an Unhealthful city
and the individual who Will follow the
simple rules of health, cleanliness and
sanitation stands as good a chance OF
longevity in Washington as in any OF
the cities which show a much smaller
death rate.
Average Death Rate.
1t is estimated by the Census Bureau
that the general average death rate fol-
the United States was Is per thousand
St. Paul, Mimi, had the lowest death
rate-ll.4 per one thOusand-Of the
cities Of more than 100000 for the year
1909. with the exception of five cities
not included in the computations.
San Francisco, Louisville. Minneapolis
Omaha and Memphis were not included
because of their present population have
not been announced.
All the cities figures are based up
on returns from what is known as the
"registratiOn area" which does not
include large sections of the South
and other parts of the country, where
records are not kept.