The Washington times., 1914-10-24

Women's club work is about to
receive a tacit Endorsement from at
least one of Uncle Sans bureaus
The Children's Bureau will work
partly through women's clubs In
spreading to all parts of the country
the gospel Of birth registration.
Ever since its formation, the bu-
reau has been deeply interested In
this subject. 1t is believed to be q
vital step in the EFFORT to save lives
of babies and set up a higher
hygienic standard for children. This
year the bureau issued a monograph
on Birth Regtstration,' with the
subtitle IAN Aid in Protecting the
Liy, j and Rights of Children.
Lewis Merriam, assistant chief Of the
bureau, today explained the reasons
why great Importance Is attached 10
efficient registration OF newborn
children. ,..
such, registration is to the health
officer, or the social service worker,
whet a barometer is to the weather
expert." Mr.. Merriam explained
Like any engineer. the social entl-
neer must have his facts Wen IN
hand before he sets to work. Deatns
are already effectively recorded. 20;
with a birth registration, the soclaI
expert can ascertain exactiy ths
storm centers in a community, ana
can direct his energies toward those
points where the mortality rate ls
aThen. too, direct and effective
work can be done In educating motn-
ers in proper care Of their chiioreh
when births are registered. .
This direct touch with motners ~
esnecially necessary in the poorer
ptIn,,. ~ cities. and in foreign
ne;phhorhoods. There many babies
die simply through ignorance OF
nroner feeding, disease prevention'
ana the simple facts OF chfso ny
giene. Registration of births per.
mits health offices to send OUT
pamphlets: as Is done IN ~ Mas mhen
necessary. to have visiting nurses or
other social workers go directly 10
homes"
An Amusing Experience.
In this connection. Mr.. Merriam
cited an amusing experience Of a
high official in the Census Office.
who, while working on birth registra-
ton statistics, wondered whether the
birth Of his sixteen-year-old daughter
had been recorded. He found It had
nOt- DO He llICQ thc
nation with the health office at the
place of her birth. Promptly he re-
ceived pamphlets containing infor-
nation concerning the care Of a new
born child.
But the principle is illustrated by
this case. as we'll as the need for i'm
mediate registration. If effective
work In baby saving Il to be accom-
plished, registration must take place
Immediately upon a child's birth.
Mr.. Merriam believes the present ten
day limit, existing even in Washing
ton where other requirements are
rigid, Is too long. Preventable dis
ease and fatalities may occur with
in this ten-day limit If the birth Is
not reported until the end Of this
time limit
Even more obvious is the neces-
sity of registration for legal pur-
poses." Mr.. Merriam continued.
From the time child starts to
school to the time he wishes to
vote, or may fall heir to property,
the time and circumstances Of his
birth is Of extreme Importance
Educators have been enlisted in
the birth-registration campaign, as
have other child welfare agencies.
Registering births Is essential In a
community where education until a
certain age IS compulsory. 1t also
is of marked value in cases where
parents or employers would violate
child labor laws.
Washington In the Lead.
The manner of registering births