The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-25

: When I went to see Miss Julia C. Ia
throp, the first woman who has ever
been appointed head OF federal bureau,
l had vague sort of idea that her work
was that of disseminating information
about the care and feeding of infants; a
kind of large, impersonal Goddess of
Motherhood, as it were, to whom all the
mothers all over the land might apply for
information usually asked first hand from
the family physician.
But 1t isn't so.
Miss Lathrop is doing her work in a
national way.
In time it may grow to where she may
be called upon by any one of the mil
lions of mothers in the United States to
ask 'if Sammy should be given this to
eat" or .If little Sally might be trusted
with this to drink" but at present she is
working as the head of bureau, under
which thousands of societies all over the
country organized to the same end-the
conservation Of child life-act as auxil-
aaries.
1t has taken Uncle Sam long time to
realize the value of child life.
Only within the last year has the posi-
tion which Miss Lathrop occupies been Of
sicial.
If you were Interested in pigs, long ago
you knew that the United States govern
ment stood prepared to give bulletin upon
bulletin about pigs, so that you could
pay your money and take your choice.
Also
If you were interested in fish, you could
roll m Irnnla Son, fo, inf tiot hopf
how to hatch and care for prize fish,
Then, too
If you want to know about trees, and
bugs, and corn, and potatoes, the govern
ment was ready and willing to give you
all the Information you needed on these
subiects-and dozens of others-but as for
babies, well, they were evidently not con-
sidered.
Now since Miss Julia Lathrop, who for
wears was Miss Jane Adams right hand
man" at Hull House, and one of the
five maiden aunts" whom Chicago claims
land now maiden aunt to all the little
citizens of the United States-has been put
in charge of this department where the
birth of a baby is registered. just like at
a big hotel, and deaths recorded, why, the
baby industry has been put on the list OF
s.necessities," and a thriving business it
IL TO be sure.
"The chldren's bureau" said Miss
uathrop. as she chatted with me about
her work, 'is in the department of which
Secretary William b. Wilson is the
head."
And what primarily is its purpose?'
asked.
1T is the duty of the bureau" said
Miss Lathrop, ITO look after all matters
pertaining to the child and child life. That
is the word of the law, and the first
medium through which we will work Is
infant mortality. 1t is impossible to know
accurately the degree of infant mortality
in this country, because only In part
of the country are records kept OF births
and Deaths"
Doesn't the census bureau look attei
that?" l asked, thinking that not even
n sick cat or crippled chicken ever es-
capped the census man.
The census bureau cannot cover tins
field entirely said Miss Lathrop, since
the census is taken only once every ter
years. Last year it was estimated thai
at least three hundred thousand babies
less than year old died in the unitet
States and that at least hair OF the
deaths, were caused on account or I'M
proper care, lack of proper nourish-
ment and neglect. Such statement Il
a challenge to humanity, the common
sense alike of every one who cares fol-
human life
'.The census bureau" Miss I.athror