Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-03
HIGH COST INCREASES
infant DEATH RATE
Advance in Price of Foodstuffs Held
Responsible for Mortality Among
Babies Here.
John II. Sherman, Superintendent of
Weights, Measures and Markets
Addresses Citizens.

Washington's death rate among in
fants under one year of age has shown
an increase during the last few years.
which District officials believe to be a
direct result of the high price of food
stuffs.
This was the statement of John H.
Sherman. District superintendent OF
weights, measures and markets. in an
address last night before a largely at
tended meeting of the Park View Citi-
zens' Association in Whitney Avenue
Christian Church.
Mr.. Sherman used a blackboard in
presenting the conclusions drawn by
the local authorities as to the relation
between infant mortality and the high
cost of living. He traced line show
ing the advance in food prices from
1899 to 1913. A parallel line indicating
the city's infant mortality record for
the same period was drawn. With but
three exceptions. the. diagrams show
ed that during the years in which food
prices had jumped deaths of infants
under one year Of age had increased,
Will during the years in which prices
slightly receded the mortality rate re-
corded corresponding reductions.
THIS showing is accepted by the Dis
IT,.
stated, as conclusive evidence that the
high cost Of living has prevented a
large number of infants from being
brought into the world under condi-
tons which would give them a fair
chance to survive.
Vindicates the Middleman.
For more than an hour the weights,
measures and markets official discussed
cost of living problems. He declared
that the middleman Is not responsible
for the advance in prices. but that the
public is to blame for having acquired
expensive marketing methods. Order
ing by telephone and eating commo-
dities out of season are two big fac
tors which have contributed to bring
ing about higher prices, he stated
Mr.. Sherman urged the organization
of community leagues as a means of
lowering prices. Housewives who
would effect economies must learn to
buy only those products that are in
their natural season. he advised. while
| they should buy directly from those
who produce the goods, Is possible,
and also buy in large quantities.
Preceding Mr.. Sherman, w. I. Swan
ton, secretary of the Tax Reform
League, addressed the meeting on the
| subject OF TAXATION. he Illustrated MS
remarks with charts showing present
taxation methods, and what would be
| the effect of single tax law in the
| District.
Saving on Each Home.
| One of the charts showed how the
| law would operate on a square in the
Park View section, between Warde,
| street. Park place and Park road and
Newton street. This square contains
sixty-six homes. Mr.. Swanton stated
| that under the single tax the total
amount of revenue to be collected from
| this square would be $1,135 less thar
the amount paid at present. The saw.
| ing on each home, he said, would
amount to SIT.
| George H. Russell. vice president, pre-.
| sided at the business session of the as.
| ISOLATION, which began its fall work
| last night after a recess of several
| months. President John G. McGratt
presided during the latter part of the
| meeting.
| Announcement was made by Mr. Nc.
Grath that he would call a specia
meeting of the executive committee t.
consider the Borland amendment to the
| District appropriation law under which
property owners are assessed half the
cost of street improvements.