New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-25
SUICIDE PRIVATE AFFAIR
Committee Of Physicians So Re-
ports to National Body.
DEPL0RES PRINTINGOF NEWS
Thinks Publication of Details
Increases Self De-
struction.

Les Angeles. June q -"Suicide is pri-
vate affair. There Is no more iustifica ton
for the publication OF such accounts than
there is for publishing other private mat
tiers"
This is the assertion of committee OF
the American Academy OF Medicine which
investigated the question Of suicide. and
in making it's report here to-day requested
the press of America 10 refrain from fur
ther publication Of such affairs
II however" the report declares "the
members Of the press are stin skeptical a.
TO the fact that they are now accessories
to crime. we suggest that they assist In
the study OF the conditions"
Several suggestions In this respect are
made. and IL is also proposed that II the
papers insist upon printing scandals and
news Of suicides. II be limited 10 a sepa-
rate sheet Of distinct yellow color. SC
clean minds may avoid the corruption
II such a method is desirable for athletic
news. why not extend it's use?''
THE rapid increase in the death rate
from suicide in the United States. with
the conviction that a prominent cause OF
this deplorable act was 10 be found in the
suggestive effect of newspaper publication
" details" is given as the reason for the
investigation.
The report further says: THE average
value of human life has been reckoned
at s.. 100. on that basis the loss from sui
eide In this country in 1908 was So. ss, coo
Is II worth trying TO save. even II one is
not actuated by any higher motive OF hui
manity?"
The publication OF suicides on the plea
Of news is declared 10 be d makeshift
The report says. in part
Your committee finds that alienists are
practically unanimous in the opinion that
the suggestive effect OF the reading Of de-
tails of suicides is a powerful factor In
the causatiCn OF suicides among susceptible
individuals.
After the publication Of a spectacular
suicide by jumping from a high place In
Chicago, displayed upon the front page oil
Chicago papers. several similar attempts
were made within few days
The report mentions several other In
stances Of attempted suicide following pub
LEGATION of stories of suicide. The report
SAYS that while the death rate from homi-
eide and suicide has been increasing, the
general death rate has been decreasing
and continues
Considering the occupations, We md that
for males the general laDorers and those
engaged in agriculture are least prone 70
suicide Soldiers and sailors are most prone
10 die by suicide. IL is a prominent cause
Of death for saloonkeepers. brewers, cigar
makers, servants, architects, bankers, COZ
lectOrs commercial travellers ana uIus
gists, tallors journalists and lawyers.
Among employed women we find that II is
a prominent cause OF death for teiesrapH
and Telephone operators. cigar makers and
stenographers in the order mentioned. Inc
actively insane or those hopelessly dls-
eased mentally are not prone TO SUICIDE
Then discussing in detail the question OF
publishing news OF suicides the report says
II "A shocking accident occurs. there IS a.
once congregated moD' VINO eIodt oEel
tba eight II Is the same class. and those
only. 10 whom the press caters Wheh !,
publishes accounts of suicides Ihere is
no possible excuse. The plea OF news Is
10 Leahift In A large proportion OF the
accounts OF deaths from other causes 10
mention Is made q the cause.