The sun., 1919-07-07
SUICIDES IN NATION
SHOW Big INCREASE
Statistics Indicate Cases of
Children Have Reached
Alarming Proportions.
IFS DIE IN SIX MONTHS
Save-a-Life League Reports
Total of 1000 Deaths in
U. S. in Same Period.
IFS DIE IN SIX MONTHS

Suicide in this country Is increasing to
an alarming extent, according to the
save-a-Life League of los West Sew
enty-seventh street. DR.. Harry NJ. War
rem. the president, made public yesterday
n collection OF curious facts AMI stats
tics gathered by the league. the most
startling of which. perhaps, being the
statement that suicide among children is
growing fast.
Perhaps nothing Is more alarming"
said DR.. Warren. than the increase OF
suicide among children. During the past
lives in the United States. II boys and
104 girls. The youngest boy was 10
years. and the youngest girl 10. The
average age was. boys IT. girls Is. The
favorite method among the boy suicides
was shooting. while girls desiring to end
their lives resorted In large numbers to
the use Of poison. ... '...
There should be in every State" said
DR.. Warren. strictly enforced laws
against the sale of ali poisons and fire.
arms, like the Sullivan and the drug
laws of this State. The principal causes
of suicide among children were I'M
pleasant experiences in school or home.
fear, jealousy. punishment, love affairs
and humiliation caused by arrest"
1000 Cases in six Months.
From January / to July OF this
year. according to the reports obtained
by the league, moro than 1000 persons
killed themselves in this country. The
Oldest person was 100, the youngest 10.
Seven hundred suicides were women. Be-
fore the armistice was signed many per-
sons killed themselves because of the
sorrows and depression caused by the
war, and since the armistice and for the
same reasons 3sS cases have been re-
ported, a number having been overseas
mot so many people go to hotels to
kill themselves" said DR.. Warren. only
25 such cases were reported in the en-
tire half year. 81 men and 1 women.
There were SO cases among farmers,
due. possibly. to the loneliness Of coun-
try life. In 1915, the year before the
Save-a-Life League was organized, there
were s56 suicides In this city. In 1916.
or the year after the league was or
ganized, the number was reduced to
S3T. Last year there were only 7t2
cases In this city. In the past six months
the number of cases was 3s5. OF whom
e77 were men and 10S women. The pres
ent large number Of women suicides IL
doubtless due to the heavy sorrow
caused by the war, but the active place
that women are assuming In business
and politics probably will increase the
number of women suicides. The ratio
used to be In 4. IT Is now about /
In g."
How the League Helps.
The special object OF the Save-a-Life
League is the prevention OF suicide. The
work is personal and private. and no re-
ports are ever published. Hundreds Of
persons from all parts Of the world have
sought the league for personal inter-
views. DR.. Warren says, and have writ
ten seeking advice on the most intensely
personal matters All advice Is given
gratuitously. The application OF Chris
tianity and practical kindness free of
charge is the moving spirit OF the novel
organization.
No charge OF any kind Is ever made,
and any applicant is given personal con-
slderation, Irrespective OF race, creed,
politics or sex. The work is directed
h by committee. 1t is supported by vol
untary contributions. many OF the con-
tributofs being persons once resolved to
remove themselves from life. but hav-
ing been dissuaded by the league, went
ahead with living, TO their own happi-
ness and profit. The treasurer OF the
league Is Ruel w. Poor president of the
Garfield National Bank. The brief pros
pectus os this organization Is an in
teresting paragraph:
"A humane and timely ministry which
befriends souls in despair. especially any
having suicide in view. It gives practi-
cal sympathy and advice. either person.
ally or by correspondence. and supplies
any one with helpful literature. Also
aids hospital patients who have at
tempted to destroy themselves; cares
for children and old people when suicide
has claimed the bread winner. and ex-
tends consolation to homes where the
act has brought grief and humillatlon.n