The Caucasian., 1913-11-16

port-The Object Is Educatite.
and Is Being Pepularized by Con-
tests at State and County Fairs.
Mrs. DeGarmo's Address-An In
teresting Review. j
AS it may be of interest to the
readers of the Caucasian to know
why Mrs. DeGarrno was chosen theI
superintendent of the Better Babies
Contest Of 1913 at the State Fair Of
Louisiana, the explanation in brief
is that because the Fair Association
desired to recognize Mrs. Frank De-
Garmo personally and specially as a
complimentary appreciation of her
first and subsequent demonstration
at the Fair exhibitions held in
Shreveport.
It was Mrs. Frank DeGarmo who
originated the first scientific baby
contest, demonstrated at the Model
Home at the State Fair of Louisiana
on Nov. 4, 1908.
In the Model Home, whose con-
struction was suggested ana
planned by Mrs. DeGarmo, who was
assisted by the Ladies Auxiliary OF
the Fair Association in providing
the finances, there were seventy
five entries. OF these twelve were
awarded prizes. Sam Levy of Alex
andria and Fay Winchester OF
Shreveport each received a silver
loving cup and are enrolled honor
graduates of this Better Babies
demonstration contest school.
The judges and registrars of this
contest are as recorded: Mrs. Frank
DeGarmo, Drs. Willis, Lloyd, Hands,
and Hon. Morris O. Eldridge OF
Washington, d. c., Mrs. John Files
and Mrs. E. B. Hands, the heads OF
the committees on prizes and un-
dressing the babies.
It was for this first demonstfa-
lion that DR.. J. Nj. Bodenheimer pre-
pared the score cards which have
been the guide in all the contests
since then, and who, as recoghl-
ton of his endeavors was named as
chairman of the committee of the
medical profession.
The second scientific Better Ba-
bies Contest at the State Fair III
1909 was superintended by Mrs. De-
Garmo, who had removed to 81
Louis, but had accepted the invita-
lion of the Fair Association to come
TO Shreveport. For this demonstra-
ton Mrs. John Files and Mrs. +. b
HArds were each again chosen a:
the chairman of their respective
committees to assist in preparing
the contestants for examination bs
fhe physicians and the judges com
prising Drs. Willis, Abramson, Kim
bell and Hands, with Mrs. DeGarmo
assisted by Mrs. Roydan Douglass
At this contest Of 1909 there were
sixteen prize winners, twelve beln'
individuals and two pairs OF twins
The loving cup winners in TN
contest were Joe Reisor Turner AM
Charlotte Cooley.
Between this year and 1913 there
was lapse in this scientific con
test, which on being resumed. at
tracted the greatest of attention.
To superintend this contest Mrs
Frank DeGarme, whose home is Il
st. Louis, was invited by the Stat
Fair Association. The invitation
was accepted. In this contest ther
were two hundred entries. From
the beginning, preceding the open
ing day, Nov. 5, every detail OF elias
siflcation and graduation had to D.
arranged. and in the final ther
came the rewards of appreciation
IN the triumphant achievement 9
The greatest success 1t was posslDi
of attainment, which in no sense IN
yidious. or personal is credited 7
fhe efforts of Mrs. DeGarn1o, wn'
had for assistants Mrs. c. L. Vince
Ter. Mrs. Gordon Irons and otne
ladies, the professional nurses, U
medical and mental stan, lileiuai''
DR.. j. M. Bodenheimer
The Better Babies Contest is de
signed as training school Tor par
ents, physicians and psycnoloels.
and as mental and physical col
Ipge for babies.
m the inspiration Of Better Babe
Is an irresistible appeal to mother
"a instill in the child's welfare IN
physical, the mental, the mcrai an
the spiritual influences which mus
lead 10 better citizenship. n Mr'
De(sarmo's address which follows
rresented her views interestingl!
Mrs. DeGarmo on being introduce
by Dr. McCloud, president OF u
state Fair Association, TO an aud'
ence of more than two thousand 9