The Washington times., 1913-11-18
BABIES OF ALL KINDS
LINE UP IN CONTEST
Excitement Marks Opening Of
Examinations At Washing
ton Diet Kitchen.

| Everybody within three blocks OF
1922 Twentieth street northwest was
In fiutter Of excitement yesterday
afternoon And when old Georgetown
unbends from its dignity long enough
to hutter over anything except foot
ball game, something Extraordinary Is
: happening.
| Doctors automobiles were hurrying
/ greatly in evidence, to say nothing
/: of the newspaper crew and the walls
that issued from the Washington
Diet Kitchen.
| No, there wasn't any wreck or fire
( or any calamity Of any kind.
1t was merely the opening day for
examining the entrants in the sBet-
ter Babies" contest conducted by the
association, and DR.. j. B. Spencer, DR..
Milton Hahn and Miss e. L. Wheeler,
head nurse. with their assistants.
Mrs. Horace Westcott and Mrs. John
people in the city.
Eighteen babies passed the examina-
tons on Monday. and q similar number
will be taken care of each day this
week 6y the Judges; who devote twenty
The standard score card on which the
results Of the examination are recorded
includes three tests, mental and develop
nent measurements. and physical.
As the doctor ascertains each point.
his assistant marks the score so that by
the time the examination is complete
the babys standing can be obtained by
merely adding the number of points
scored I'm all three tests.
The maximum total score is loo
points.
Want Figures for Future.
Our object is not only to promote In
terest in better babics." said DR.. Spen-
Ger. but also to obtain statistical data
for future use ir baby health work.
That Is why every detail is so carefully
Seventy-eight babies had been enter
ed when tho registration closed. A
number appeared too late 10 be listed.
The final tests Will be made on Satur-
da yand the prize and certificates will
then be awarded. A IS prize and medal
less OF sex Or age. Others are to be
awarded diplomas
Twenty mothers. completely sur
rounded by pink. plump babyhood,
awaited their turn yesterday in the
tiny reception room. One by one Sir
William, or Sir Richard, or Miss wini-
fred, or Miss Dorothy submitted to the
tests, some with the nonchalant grace
that comes or being accustomed to the
strange antics OF unknown grown-ups,
others were frankly defiant, and didn't
care who knew it.
Bill and Bob are twins. Both are
sturdy specimens Of babyhood, but with
entirely different attitudes toward the
world in general. Bill-or maybe 1t was
Bob-took his thumpings as a matter
Of course, unpleasant but to be en-
dured philosophically, and with such
airy grace as one may muster when
clad only In satiny pink skin.
Bob-or maybe 1t was Bill-expressed
his righteous Indignation at the whole
proceedings thereby increasing his
percentage in the lungs" column, but
perhaps reducing his general average
on disposition.
The final indignity came when DR..
Spencer attempted to listen to his heart
beats. 1t was too much. BiIl-or may
be 1t was Bob-just beloved.
Contest q Great Success.
And not one of the grown-ups( not
even his mother. came to rescue him
from the terrors Of the scales, the
measuring board and the stethoscope.
But from everybody else's point OF
view except the party of the first part,
the better babies contest Is great sue