The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-12-05
Declining Birth
Rate Question
Is to Be Systematically and
Scientifically Investigat-
ed by France.

PARTS. Nov. SO-At last the gov
eminent appears to have hit upon a
practical plan for the investigation
of the causes for the deeling birth
rate. 1t is hoped that the remedy
will also be found.
For years thinking Frenchmen
have become distressed at what has
come to be described as the pepopu-
lation of France, but an attempts to
arrest the decrease have been half
hearted and have resulted in meas
ures that proved ineffective. Mr..
klotz, the minister of finance, who
worked out the present plan, says
that the problem is one of national
defense.
1t is now proposed to establish,
under the Craftsmanship of the min
fster Of finance, commission COM
posed of experts in each branch of
the subject, who will be able to
deal effectively with the social, mil
itary, legal s.ad scientific sides of
the question. The commission will
be divided into five committees. The
first will take up the administrative
and legal side and inquire into ma
radiation and marriage laws and
auctions of infanticide and kindred
evils.
The second committee will con-
slider the military aspect of the sub
ject, including the effect of the birth
rate on recruiting and army organi-
cation. The third will study infan-
tile mortality. hygiene, fntemperance
and tuberculosis, together with ques-
tons of assistance to mothers and
of the proper education of the sexes.
The fourth will study how best to
encourage the growth of large fam
lilies and how to assist those which
become too large for the financial
means OF the parents.
spans
AT the same time the government
is giving closer attention to the well
fare and morals of the youth of the
country. In order to discourage
clandestine meetings between boys
and girls and make difficult the ex-
change of correspondence that might
not be approved by parents or
guardians, the French postofice has
adopted regulation prohibiting
boys under 16 years Of age and girls
under IS years from receiving let
tiers through the general delivery
s+ns4
Another new postal regulation is
likely to receive less popular ap-
prevail, particularly among tourists.
1t stipulates that persons applying
for mail at the general delivery must
produce documentary legal evidence
Of their identity. Unfortunately
Whit constitutes legal proof of
identity is left to the discretion OF
the postal employees. Permanent
foreign residents can obtain regis
tration certificate that will answer
the purpose. but the traveller in
France is not accorded this privilege.
An idea of what may be expected
is suggested i'll the recent experience
of an American resident who sought
to cash misdirected telegraphic |
money order. In vain he produced
in succession bank passbook, sew
eral rent receipts, a number OF en-
velopes addressed TO him which had
passed through the post, a readers
card for the Bibliotheque Rationale
OBTAINED by foreigners only
their ambassgdors), visiting
cards, tax payment receipts, club
card, railroad COM
mater's card, with photograph,
to appear before the police
Judge, subpoena, gas deposit
receipt, a journalists police pass
signed by the project Of police, dog
license, and birth certificate.
Finally he discovered that the jan
Itor at his lodgings was postman
ana the influence Of fifty cents
proved the solution of the trouble.
The superstitious are finding sat
Isfaction in report that the hand OF
the king of Bulgaria was read some
time ago by young army officer,
who saw in it meteoric career for
-