The Detroit times., 1914-09-14
EUCENlCS LAWS
I HIT BY STATES
CHARITY BOARD
"Dignified Science Of Race Eff.
cheney Now Held Up to Ridi-
cule," Says Report
ADVOCATES OF SYSTEM
BLAMED FOR DISTRIBUTE
Illinois Commission Deplores En-.
actment Of Present Laws
on the Subject

CHICAGO. Sept. 12.-Enactment
into laws OF the principles promulgat
ed by eugenists is declared unwise
and the eugenists themselves are at
tackled as going to extremes" in the
fourth annual report OF the Illinois
stste charities commission. submitted
to Governor Dunno and published In
the Institution Quarterly. an official
organ of the public charity service q
Illinois.
The charities commission holds
eugenists responsible for ridicule into
which a serious subject has been
plunged, and points out how the
science OF eugenics has fallen into
disrepute
fhe report to Governor Dunno was
signed by Edward H. Oscher. M. d.
president; Emil q. Hirsch, John B
Harris. Anna Dwyer. M. D.. and Albert
Huber. The Institution Quarterly Ii
published by the Illinois state board
OF administration. the state charities
commission and the state psycopathie
institute.
I'VE do not favor the enactmen,
into laws of the principles the eugen
They are worthy Of public though,
and consideration. But whatever Of
merit they contain. to be effective
must be accepted voluntarily by an en-
lightened and quickened public con
science. and not forced upon 1t by
statutory enactment.
Much more can be accomplished
In this field by the dissemination Of
clearly demonstrated facts than by
attempts to impose by law upon tho
public poorly understood or wholly
misunderstood principles Of human
conduct and life
The science Of eugenics In digni
fied, deep and serious study Of the ire
mendous problems OF human life. II
lis entitled TO respect and respectful
consideration. The popular concep
ton. formed through flippant refer
ence 70 eugenic marriages. engeuit
babes, eugenic dramatic productions
and eugenic novels, has resulted ir
its falling into more.or less disrepute
"The pioneers In the science have
advanced ideas which are worthy o.
the most careful thought, whether W.
believe In them or not. Any move
ment whose object IL to improve thu
race, elevate the standard Of men
tally and make life better and nobler
should not be prostituted as thu
science has been. Moreover. thinking
people should acquatnt themselves
with the real meaning and purpose o.
this science"
The report quotes letter kar
Pearson wrote recently to the Londor
Times on the subject Of eugenics. II
which he calls attention to the true
definition advanced by Sir Francii
Cation: "Eugenics was TO be a scienct
of race efficiency, with its academic
center In every university-a grea
and Increasingly important science
Pearson declares II has become ths
subject OF buffoonery.
what we feared might result hal
become fact. Eugenics Is rapidly dc
veloping into topic for the poseur
the Kongressbummler' and the para
graphist," he writes.
He declares that on a little highe
plane is found the disheartening ex
perience of eugenic publications ant
eugenic congresses issuing statement
with regard to such vitality importan
topics as insanity. mental defect o
the influence OF heredity and environ
ment which are obviously or demon
strabfy incorrect.
I'VE have not yet nearly ADEQUATE
knowledge on these topics. Years Q
patient work In medico-socfal ooserve
ton. In genetic experiment and Il
careful study Of family history Ar
needed before the laws OF eugenics
a science can be Dramatically statec