The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1912-11-30
Dec ing Birth
Rote Question
Us 10 Be Systematically and
Scientifically hIvestigat-
ed by France.

PARIS, NOr. 3O-At last the gov-i
eminent appears 70 have hit upon a
practical plan for the Investigation
of the causes for the decling birth
rate. It is hoped that the remedy
VIII also be FOUND.
For years thinking Frenchmen
have become distressed at what has
come TO be described as the pepopu-
Iation Of France. but al attempts 20
arrest the decrease have been half
hearted and have resulted in neas-
ures that proved ineffective. M
Klotz. the minister OF finance, Who'll
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
lister Of finance, a commission com
posed OF experts in each branch OF
/ the subject, who VIII be able toI
+ deal effectively with the social, mill
h itSry. legal sEad scientific sides OF
i the question. The commission viii
be divided into Eve committees The
first VIII take up the administrative
and legal side and inquire into na-I
i turaI.zaton and marriage laws and.
1 quetio1s of infantIcide and kindred
evils.
The second committee will con-
slider the military aspect OF the sub
I ject, including the effect of the birth
rate on recruiting and army orsani-
zation. The third viii study infan-
s tile mortality. hygiene, otemperance
and tuberculosis. together with cues
tons OF assistance TO mothers and
of the proper education of the sexes
The fourth will study how best 70
tencourage the growth of large fam
lies and how to assist those which
become TOO large for the financial
means Of the parents
At the same time the government
is giving closer attention to the wei
fare and morals OF the youth oE the
country. IN order 20 discourage
cIandestine 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 a regulation prohibiting
boys under I6 years Of age and girls
/ under is years from receiving let
tiers through the general delivery
! department.
/ Another new postal regulation is
prevail. particularly among tourists
II stipulates that persons applying
for mail at the general delivery must
produce documentary legal evidence
of their identity Unfortunately
What constitutes legal proof OF
identity is left to the discretion OF
the postal employees Permanent
( foreign residents can obtain regis
I tratiou certificate that viii answer
the purpose. but the traveller in
+ France is not accorded this privilege
An idea OF what may be expected
{ q suggested IN the recent experience
OF an American resident who sought
n cash nisdirected Geographic
-no1ev order. In vain he produced
in succession a bank passbook, sew
eraI rent receipts, a number Of en-
veiopes addressed TO him which had
nassed through the post. a readers
card for the Bfbuotheaue Rationale
Z o1tafnei by foreigners only
through their ambassadorsl visiting
f-cards. tax payment receipts. a CLUB
! membership card. railroad com
murer's card. with photograph, Al
summons to appear before the police
Judge. a subpoena, gas deposit
receipt. a journalists police pass
signed by the project Of police, z dog
license, and a birth certificate.
F,aauy he discovered that the jan
iro- at his lodgings was d postman
and the influence OF fifty cents
proved the solution Of the trouble
The superstitious are finding sat-
;sfaction in report that the hand OF
the kng Of Bulgaria was read some
time ago By a young army officer
who saw in it a meteoric career Tor
1912. but something IN accord Win
the sinister reputation OF thirteen
for the year following.
a legend says that a king named
NEicnaeI viii rule at Constautinople't
and the Russians who believe this
.+o-v reject that the grand duke IN /
line with the king after the crown
nrince is named michael This man,
:. -+y-a5 20 vafse the