New-York tribune., 1913-08-13
Mrs. Robert H. Sayre, a Leader
in Founding Prenatal Home,
Describes Proposed Work.
MEANS STURDIER INFANTS
Future Mother in Law OF Pres
ident's Daughter Tells How
She Obtained Land Lease
for Institution.

Wilson gave yesterday 10 III" iIio"'''
her first interview on the subject or the
proposed home for eXpectant motheFS
and other details of the work OF the
Prenatal association.
Social workers have learned. she
said. after fighting for years TO reduce
infant mortality by means of pure mix
and fresh air that II IS not enough 10
care for a baby after it Is born. we
must 20 further back than that and as
sure it's being well born. An underfed'
overworked mother cannot have
healthy baby. The saving OF the babies
must begin with the saving Of the
mothers Oliver Wendell Holmes said
the education of child must begin
with its grandfather"
Mrs. sayre is very modest about her
part in the new movement.
There have been many erroneous
statements in the newspapers she said'
Ito the effect that | was building the
home on Oak Island Beach. That IS
not true | acted only as agent for the
organization, which is 10 be formed ana
incorporated in the fall. There Is no
organization at present, therefore, some
individual had TO act for the society.
There came this opportunity to secure
the lease on desirable plot OF land
and as there was no one else 10 assume
the responsibility and as the step had
TO be taken Immediately. ! did II.
Mrs. Sayre Explains Position.
But please do not say that it is my
work, or that I am supporting II; that
will keep away other people whom we
want 10 contribute. We have no funds
at present. no members. All we have.
really. is the lease of the land. 800 feet
on the ocean front.
"Of course. | am deeply interested In
the work. but am only helper. The
heart and soul OF il Is Miss Mabel
Parker. head OF the Babies MIX Station
at No. 52s West 18th street. ] met Miss
Parker at the beach "A few weeks ago
and she aroused my interest I'm her work.
She has carried on this milk station for
i've years without assistance. Now she
feels tnat milk alone cannot save the
babies. She expects the Board OF Health
TO take over her milk station. leaving
her free 10 devote all her time 10 the
prenatal work.
ne summer nome on islIS lrldAlh -
only ono part OF the broad general pro-
gramme There the women can be en-
trrtained for a month or six weeks be-
fore their babies are born They Will
get n rest from household cares. and the
sea air and sunshine will be a tonic that
will build them up and give the baby a
heritage OF strength. IL Will not be a
maternity hospital. however. The moth
ers will 30 back 10 their own homes be-
fore their babies are horn.
Back In the city they VIII he further
strengthened by the 5-cent meals they
can get at our 'eugenics restaurant.
where any woman who is expecting
child can get a uourlshing meal Of broth,
meat and vegetables At least once
week they will receive instruction In the
care and feeding OF children. Everything
will he done to encourage wholesome lv-
ing, in order that tho babe may be born
sturdy and free from tho handicap with
which so many underslzed. puny infants
enter upon life IN our cities to-day.
Help for Those That Need II.
"HoNeyer. we purpose 10 lend our as
slstauce only 10 deserving. respectable
women. the wives OF honest. laboring
men. They are the ones who are over
burdcned with housework and the care
Of other lttlo children and are most I'm
need OF rest and nourlshng food. They
VIII. OF course, pay for their entertain
ment-whatever they can. We have not
yet decided what the nominal charge Will
be. but II will come safely within the
income OF the average laborlng man OF
this neighborhood.
This is not n charity. nor Is there
anything about II to offend the pride OF
the independent American man or
woman. II is simply a common-sense
recognition Of the fact that the only way
TO build up healthy race is to- have
healthy babies born OF healthy mothers.
"All the money and all the labor that
Is spent on the reduction OF infant NOR
tality is wasted unless the infants have
"A heritage OF strength TO carry them TO
maturity. Puny. undersized Infants may
be doctored and fattened with pure milk
30 that they survive the hazard OF the
first two years. They have not consu-
tutions that can endure the wear and
tear OF tIl} me- Ho"e"ei' anu "'i''o
the age OF fifteen or sixteen the feeble
flame nickors out"
Mrs. Sayre said Miss Wilson had taken
no part I'm the work OF the new society,
and probably would not
Il don't know that | shall myself when
II Is really in running order" laughed
Mrs. Sayre. Pm just lending a hand
now because there is nobody else TO
do it,"