The Washington times., 1915-02-08
HORSES KILL MORE
THAN AUTOMOBILES
Census Figures, lust Issued for
1919, Show High Death
Rate in District.

The District Of Columbia is credited
with a death rate Of 17.3 per 1000 for
1913 In a statement issued today by the
Census Bureau. as compared with an
Districts death rate is increased by
the high mortality in the colored popu-
lation. figures show. While the white
death rate is only 1A4. about the country's 8
average and below the figures Of most
cities, the oolored death rate 10 PA.
Other interesting features brought out
In the report are:
Washington State has the lowest
death rate. and New Hampshire the
highest. Deaths from tuberculosis arc
decreasing, while those from cancer arc
increasing. While suicides decreased
IN 1913 as compared with 1919. crime
caused . heavier death rate; and. final
", tho horse caused moro deaths than
the automobile.
Statistics given by the Census Bureau
are based on returns from the registra-
ton area, which consists OF twenty
four States, the District Of Columbia.
and forty-one cities in nonregistration
States. The population Of this area in
1913 was sS.2S.1s.
Decline Since 1880.
A marked decline in the death rate
since 1880. when it was 1873, is shown,
though the rate for 1913, which was
lA1, was higher than that of 1872 The
rate Of 1919 for that year was tho
lowest en- record.
Following are the death rates by
States: California. 14.6: Colorado. 11.5;
1873: Maine. 1873: Maryland. 1872; Massa-
chusetts. Is: Michigan, 1879: Minnesota,
1914: Missouri. 1876: Montana. u; New
Hampshire, Ill; New Jersey. lab; New
only to municipalities having a popu-
lation of 1000 or over in 1900. 1913;
Ohio. 1873: Pennsylvania, Jag; Rhode
island, Is: Utah, II; Vermont. 1853; Vir-
ginia. 1879: Washington, s5; Wisconsin.
Separate figures of the white and
colored death rates are given in cities
of over 100000. where the colored popu-
lation Is 10 per cent Of the total. Seattle.
Wash. shows the lowest death rate for
highest. Seattle's low death rate. like
that Of washington State, Is explained
by the Census Bureau as due to the
fact that the average age Of its popu-
iation Is lower than that of the older
cities and States.
The average age at death Of both
sexes was 39.S. the average for the
males being 39.2 and for the females
d0.S. The corresponding figures for
1912 were aOS. 39.9 and 4l.4.
Fewer Consumptives Die.
The death rate from tuberculosis de-
elined from 1913 per 100000 popula-
ton in 1912 to 1875 in 1913. Deaths
from cancer rose from SO per 100000
in 1900 to 7S.9 In 1918.
There were 9.983 suicides in regis
tration area, a rate of 1873 per 100000.
as compared with a rate Of Is for 1912.
There were 5s,57S deaths from vio-
lence. which includes homicides and
legal executions. but excludes sui
cides. In 1912. This corresponds to a
death rate of 92.5 per 100000 popula-
ton. as compared with 8S.S in 1912.
Automobile accidents for the year
caused 2,488 deaths, while 1921 We're
killed by horses and in accidents caus-
cd by other vehicles. principally those
horse drawn.
The Census Bureau report draws the
inference the automobile, in spite of
the rapidity with which it has come
into general use. is still less deadly
than the horse.