Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-12
THIS BABY IS ONE Of
many NEEDING HELP
Physical Condition Reflects
What Draft War Has Made
on Natural Vitality.

The Importance of the "chfldren'S
= year campaign" at this time. coming
~ 1t does in the midst of war condi-
tions. was exemplif1ed in clear-cut
way by an incident yesterday at one of
the many centers where Washington's
babies less than six years old are be-
Ing weighed and measured under the
supervision of physicians and nurses.
A mother. in response to the appeals
sent broadcast throughout the Dis
trict to all parents to submit their
youngsters to help procure much need
ed statistics brought in two babies one
three years and one about a year old.
The older child was born two years
before the war, and got good start In
life before the family circle was broken.
The hitler fellow was born about the
time the war began and very shortly
thereafter the father was called to the
colors and has been away ever since.
The mother was left with very slender
means, which she had to exc out by
offering herself for employment.
Normal in Every Way.
The first boy is fine, fat, healthy.
strong and normal in every way-even
above normal in size and weight. The
baby brother is understood, under
nourished. rickety and a source of con-
slant care. In order to better it's con-
dition and to bring the child back to
near normal, relief of some sort will
have to be provided for the family.
Those in charge of the tests point out
the decided definite connection between
the father in uniform and the baby with
only half a chance to grow up to be
the sort of man who can some day
wear with credit the same uniform.
1t is things like this which may all
be included in the statement that 300.-
900 babies die unnecessarily each year
in the United States that has resulted
In the ''children's year" campaign, in
tended to save as many of them as is
possible. 1t is nationwide, and has
been begun under the auspices of the
federal children's bureau, child welfare
associations and other agencies. The
weighing and measuring of as many
infants as possible is one of the earliest
and one of the most important steps
In the campaign. Mrs. Whitman Cross
10 chairman of the committee in charge
OF the local campaign, which has so
far resulted in the gathering of statis-
tics on more than thousand young
sters, with a total of more than 6,4OO
registered by their parents for tests
when opportunity shall offer.
Indication of Importance.
Another indication Of its Importance
Ii this: One of the sessions of the first
annual conference of the womans
committee of the Council of National
Defense. which begins here tomorrow.
Is to be devoted to child welfare, and
the committee has asked Dr. Jessica
Peixotto of the children's bureau to
have on display on. that occasion a
complete sample of the equipment used
At a weighing station. together with
the publicity posters and other printed
matter used. Such posters, emphasiz.
ing the importance of the measuring
and weighing. will shortly be placed
all over the District of Columbia. il is
learned. DR.. Peixotto will also furnish
. list of all centers where this work is
now going on throughout the country.
Weighing and measuring Of kinder
garten children, will begin tomorrow
1t the kindergartens of five District of
Columbia public schools. following ar
Engagements made through the co-opera-
ton Of the board Of education. These are
the lexington. Tenley. Emery. Buchan-
an and Wallach schools. Tuesday the
work will be started at four more:
Chevy Chase. Gage. Bryant and Tyler.
Wednesday three more will be added to
the list. these being the Van Ness. Dent
and Cleveland Park.