The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-02-24

According to vital statistics infant
inc child mortality rates in this coun-
try are unnecessarily high, although in
national wealth the nation leads other
lands by a generous margin. 1t is es-
timated that infant mortality can be
cut in half by reasonably intelligent
care of babies and of eXpectant moth
ers; and by intelligent control of a
riage of the unfit.
The American Association for the
Study and Prevention of Infant Mortal
ity has petitioned state boards Of edu-
cation to urge the appointment of
Commission Continuation Schools of
Home Making, to investigate condi-
tons and needs in their respective
states and to recommend effective
plans for meeting them through such
continuation schools or classes.
The need for more interest in NOR
tality and morbidity rates is shown
by the fact that many states have no
laws requiring registration of birth.
This is the only civilized country that
does not keep an official record of
births. Suitable education for home
making cannot fail to create a nation
wide understanding of the Importance
Of vital statistics.
The petition reads as follows:
"Inasmuch as Jul infant mortality
rate is unnecessarily high, although In
national wealth we easily lead all
countries, and inasmuch as the very
great majority of pupils leave school
before this instruction can be effective
ly completed, and rarely have a later
~ ~a~4,Y~Sf ry ~ raooiIyfn1 81 hainnr offaa
deprived of proper education in par
entail homes by occupation, environ
ment, or social conditions; be it re-
solved that the American Association
for Study and Prevention of Infant
Mortality petition each state board of
education to urge the appointment of a
commission on continuation schools of
home making, to consist OF men and
women technically qualified in home
economics, sociology, school adminis-
tration and medicine, to Investigate
conditions and needs in the state, and
to report effective plans for meeting
them through such continuation
schools or classes"
Over 1000, 900 young women between
16 and "a a Of age are described
in the census as bread winners. In
many places where industrial schools
are established for improving mems
and woman's earning capacity, the
largest demand has been for classes
in household arts for personal use. This
demand has been larger than for any
kind Of trade instruction.
over 100000 young women not
wage earners and not in any kind OF
educational institution between 16 and
"a years of age are eligible for instruc-
ton in home making. These are the
years when home making instincts are
strongest. They are the strategic years
when home instincts are strongest.
They are the strategic years for maxi
ing this instruction most profitable.
Nothing given in less mature years
can equal that given now.
The proposed continuation schools OF
home making should be sharply dis
tinguished in certain points. They con-
Germ girls OF marrying years, even mar
ried, not children OF grammar grades
except as they may indirectly Unfit
ence elementary ideals and curriculum.
They concern the w~ell-to-do, o the
poor alone; the fairly educated as well
as the little educated: those earning
wages and those not doing 80.
There is no doubt that existing re-
sources are wholly inadequate to pre-
pare for the vocation OF home making,
and that its neglect costs the country
q heavy toll OF lives annually. Infant
mortality alone is estimated to cost
every year approximately $S4, 000, 900.
The federal government through its
department OF agriculture has assist
ed for several years IN the establish
ment of instruction In home economics
throughout the country, especially In
rural districts. Twenty-nine states.