The Washington times., 1921-12-04

she should not undergo sterilization.
| In each individual case of this kind,
It II a question of the mentality OF
the persons-that IL, II they are ut
to bear children. Fitness il the
real problem today. We are cum
J bered with detectives and inefficient
tity that we need in the United
States. We must do away with the
mentally unfit who are causing all
our troubles. Sterilization is one
DIR. g. BUCHLER, Commissioner
Of Public Welfare:
Birth control as q general rule
would not be advisable. but to apply
1t in . case OF necessity would
be the wisest thing on earth. i hate
to think Of large families where
ing the pleasure of their parents,
and in most of the large families
there are some children whose
mothers regret having brought them
into the world. Children can only be
happy II their parents can provide
them with all they are entitled to in
their early life.
III sterilization can be performed
painlessly and without depriving the
mother of the natural joys OF life, I
cannot see why tt sre should be any
opposition to it. This il not a quss-
ton for doctors, but for scientists to
decide. Sooner or later this problem
will have to be solved. Birth control
IL not a. alominable a. some Of our
reformers would make US believe.
Happiness To- worth any price that we
may bay for It,"
MAJOR KENDALL BANNING.
magazine editor:
II believe that scientific knowledge
concerning birth control should be
placed at the disposal of the Cassi-
denies as well as all parents, but /
do not believe that the application of
pulsory or that surgical operations
should be performed without the con-
sent Of the patient. .,. .....
Collaborating should be optional
and not mere matter Of accident.
In Holland and New Zealand, where
birth control has been practiced with
governmental sanction FOR years, the
population has increased and the
mortality rates are the lowest in the
world. The effort of France to In
crease population by subsidizing child
bearing resulted in a slightly rising
birth rate among the less desirable
SsChhShts puN tiiiS hlCI C09o was ulOI0
than offset by q disproportionately
high infant mortality rate and failure
follC wed.
~ believe that sterilization should
be applied az last resort only to the
hopelessly diseased or criminally in.
sane. whose offspring would in all
inherit tendencies that
would make them public charges"
MURRAY HUBERT, President
elect Of the Board Of Aldermen:
The suggestion Is contrary 20
every law Of God and man. / don't
believe in birth control any more
than i do In suicide. II IL contrary
to the intention Of the Creator. The
law Of New York State has removed
the crime of attempted suicide from
the statute books to the extent Of max.
ing 1t impossible to punish one for at
to end his life.
But i do not believe the law Of any
civilized country will ever make II
legal to take measures which amount
to the suicide Of the race. The pro-
posal IL not only immoral, but Il ID
repugnant to the mind of any person
with a sense Of the essential dignity |
Of humanity. II Il degrading and
unworthy or respectful oonsidera-
ton"
Dh. MARY HALTON.
There are some instances where
sterilization is done where people are
affected by insanity but are not
enough affected to be placed in con.
finement. l think In such cases
Sterilization is certainly advisable.
Then insanity and all its troubles
would be done away with.
In the case Of Mrs. Cassidente. I
think 1t fs not right at all. don't
think anyone has a right to make
her submit to such an operation. II
she had the benefit of birth control
methods she would be glad to take
advantage OF them. have found
this to be the case among the feeble
minded In my clinic. Such an opera.
ton Is too cruel
But II an operation il to be had
why pick on the woman. Why no,
stertlize the man? As a matter OF
fact 1t is a much slighter and easier
operation to perform on a man than
on woman. But understand I don't
approve OF the cruel method at all.
because 1t In unnecessary. An opera,
ton Of this sort is unfair, for who
knows but the family may be million. |
aires some day, Ind then the world
would want their children, and the
more they had the better"