Denver labor bulletin., 1915-05-22
WarBdbies SoontoBecone
Problem for Great Britian

the stigma of shame for irregular birth :
Are they. who, on eugenic principles,
should be the nose virile of our race, to
be handicapped from the start by impov-
erishment both of physical constitution
and of moral character. through the ig-
norance, prejudice, and injustice OF their
earliest environments
Up to Religious Leaders.
"A certain amount OF charitable anna
teur effort is being made to meet the
needs OF the case by ladies who have be-
come aware of the facts. These ladies
propose to start schools for mothers,
where the girls may learn how to care
for their own health and that OF their
babies and may also be helped to pre-
serve their self Prospect. This is the right
spirit and a move in the right direction.
But il must tall far short of the re-
quirements. What is wanted is for the
religions leaders of the nation, in the
first place. to come forward with an
honest and courageous pronouncement
that under existing circumstances the
mothers Of our soldiers children are to
be treated with no scorn or dishonor. and
that the infants themselves should re-
ceive unashamed welcome.
Ask Governments Aid.
In the second place, the government
should at once pass legislation drastically
reforming-even if only as a temporary
mcasure--the laws of btstardy. 1t also
has to be considered how provision is to
be made for the fatherless children,
whose girl mothers have no separation
allowance. no separate homes OF their
own and no means OF support. II moth
ing is done. thousands OF them will fall
upon the rates. Better that they should
he boldly adopted as the honorable chill
dren OF the state than that they should
slink through life as the children of
shame and the parish. The precise meth
od by which the object in view can best
be accomplished may tax the wisdom OF
statesmen; but the immediate urgency of
the problem is not open to question
Advised Girls to Bear Babes.
For advising every young and healthy
woman OF independent means, a. a pa
triotic duty. to produce at least one
healthy baby. Arthur Busch Michel Of
Somerton, Somcrsctshirc. an elderly and
wealthy man. II leading member OF the
Eugene Society and the Malthn-iun
League has been fined SGjo
Mr. Michel was arraigned ON the
charg, OF publishing and distributing Ger
tain slips OF paper without the name oi
the printer attached. as required by law.
The slips contained this advice:
AT this time OF national emergency.
when men are hazarding their all ON land
OF sea. no girl OF independent means.
gifted with sound health and strength
should shirk the risks. responsibilities
and odium of producing one well-condi-
toned child TO the community
On the stand Michel not only ac-
knowledged his offense, but justified 1t
by declaring that the tendency OF the
war was to produce constantly increas-
ing disparity between the sexes. and that
his advice was only intended for women
of independent means, whose fortunes,
with the death OF their male relatives on
the firing lines. would be inherited by
their sisters. who would become the prey
OF fortune hunters
There must be degeneration of the
race" he declared. where the best and
bravcst 90 to the front and are killed,
whereas the chances OF marriage are left
to those who haven't volunteered"
The magistrate held that this defense
only aggravated the crime.