Evening star., 1915-01-03
Contest to Be Annual Affair.

AS means Of extending the influence
of the organization, 1t was decided that
the baby show, which is to be held jan
uary 20. should be set under way.
The contest. which proved SO success
full last year, and which Miss Gwynn
says will be repeated each year In the
future, is In no wise purposed to act
merely as a medium for the display of
beautiful children, but was conceived
as a means Of assisting in the welfare
of every baby in Washington. Similar
campaign which the Woman's Home
Companion has conducted in their
favor. are taking place each year
throughout the width and breadth of
the United states.
More than 100000 babies were en-
tered in the various contests of 1913.
and while the figures for the year just
ended have not been made public, 1t Is
reported that they greatly exceed this
number. 1t is hoped that by means of
here every mother will be inspired to
have her baby adjudged the finest in
the District, and that with this pur-
pose In mind. all who are not in po-
sition to know the scientific means by
which this result can best be accom-
plished will seek the advice SO eagerly
given at the various diet kitchens.
Plans for Registration.
The registration of babies for the
contest proceeds at lively rate, and
the scene at the Woodward & Lothrop
auditorium on the date set for the de-
cision of the judges should be one of
the most interesting events of the
winter. A gold medal will be offered.
together with cash prize and four
certificates.
The following are fbe oJar,esa.
where the babies may still be register
ed on Monday afternoon:
station No. 1-1322 28th street
station No. 2-2304 Pennsylvania
Station No. AT the Children's Hos
pftal will be open Wednesdays from
to pm.
sta Station on No; GOSPEL Mission, ia
station No. 5-1235 AZ street south
west
Baby Contests Popular.
The popularity with which the bet
Ter baby contests have been met
throughout the country is eloouent of
an advancing desire for education in
matters of health, hygiene and parent-
mood on the part of the young mothers
or the country. And today in WASHING
ton this education is within the reach
OF all. The simplicity of the brief les
sons. so cheerfully given at the Diet
Ni.cheh' is astonishing considering
INA. ~ Is Ignorance of these funda-
inentals which SO often proves fatal
Babies are received at the Diet Kitcb-
ems, IN the course Of the regular
wofk, between the ages of one month
and two years. Provided each is sound
ana not In need Of hospital attention
it Is invariably accepted. and The
wheels Of careful supervision ara ar
once set rolling. Under the attention
OF the visiting physician, DIR. H. H.
wonhea,y; nsad NY tne me naby is weighed. meas
corded for future reference. It's his
tory and that Of its parents and grand
parents Is obtained, in order that any
neree'tary & tendencies may be estab-
ished. MIX. prepared for its particu-
lar requirements, Is furnished free for
four days. and after this, provided the
Iatner Is properly supporting the fam
uy, nominal sum is charged for the
milk, and nurse goes to the home nf
the child to teach the mother how nron-
erly to modify the raw product In
struction is also given her in the scien-
tihc method of dressing a baby, the
hygiene of the establishment fs careN
fully considered, and every thing done
to insure the health and weIIbeinp of
each individual child.
Cannot Be overestimated.
The benefit OF this work cannot he
overestimated. Taking the babies at
the most critical period of their lives.
a period when the proportion of NOR
tality Is far in advance of any other of
similar duration in human life. the
careful supervision of men and women
trained to alter this state of affairs. is
afforded those who otherwise would
have to work out the bitter problem
with all the handicaps of poverty and
ignorance. Nor has Washington been
slow to realize the splendid field for eff
fectfve charity which this work Of