New Britain herald., 1923-08-24
EUGENICS PROGRAM
OFFERED TO u. 5.
Laws Encourage ParenthOOd by
Those Having Hereditary Traits

United States, suggests segregation of
defective types, sterilization, laws en-
couraging parenthood by those en-
dowed with good hereditary traits,
and enactments rationaliZing mar
Wage and divorce regulations, as
among the more important aims in
the field of legislation.
Inquiry into the eugenic elements
In birth control is mentioned as one
of the most important research prob
ems. More than 200 activities for
eugenic societies and welfare workers
are outlined.
The program was arranged by a
sub committee of the American or
ganization headed by Prof. Henry e.
Champion of Columbia University.
Other members of the sub commit
tee are Professors Irving Fisher and |
Roswell johnson, and DIR. Harry
Laughlin. The national body Is COM
posed of prominent scientists, educa-
tors, churchmen, public officials and
social workers, and is affiliated with
the International Commission on Eu-
genics whose headquarters is In LON
don. Prof. Fisher is chairman of the
American committee. Chief Justice
Harry Olson of the Municipal Court
of Chicago also a member of the
committee, made public the program.
For The first time in history" he
said, "a unified, coordinated, practic-
able, and comprehensive scheme for
the conservation of human resources
is offered. We have heard much re-
Gently of the Importance of conser-
walton as related to material things. II
This program offers conservation of
the richest straits of human character
and the finest types of human ply
sique, without either of which man
cannot attain the fitness of life
which is the end of human destiny"
War, immigration, farm credits, II
protective tariffs, transportation, la
Dor unions. and housing all are men
toned in the program as problems III
for eugenic research, LII
The automobile is mentioned as d u
factor in rural eugenics since 1t tends II
to reduce in-breeding from propin-
guilty, and to widen the range of mar
rage selection in rural districts"
The ugenic aspect of higher educa-
ton is presented in the question ~Are
universities attracting the most intel
figent elements in the population and
virtually sterilizing thems both stu
dents and .teachers?"
Concerning the present general ten
dency of migration from rural COM
munities to the larger cities, the re-
port asks if population centers attract
the superior, intelligent and able
bodied young people from the farms,
or the inferior?"
n IF the superior stocks ara beins'l
driven off by present tendency to the
sterile life of city commerce. this con-
stitutes dysgenic drain upon the
population" the report says. 1T Is
estimated that in four generations the
80 per cent of the present population
which is on the farms tends to be-
come IS per cent of the total stocks
It then is pointed out that II these
two tendencies are demonstrated by
to be continually operative.
he result would be that close to 900
gut of every 1000 of American popu-
alton four generations hence would
De of the stock of the lower mental
ind physical types of the present
ime. a
Securing the segregation of certain
,lasses, such as the criminal defec-
i've" should receive special empha-
is from the outset, the committee
uggests. Farm colonies for the segre-
ated classes are urged. In such colo
les sterilized people would live vir-
ually normal lives under semi-fnsti-
ational care. but would not burden
ociety with defective Offspring.
Revision of immigration laws to
rovide for the selection of arrivals |
on the basis of superiority to the
merican average" by mental tests.
nd for careful physical examination
} reveal dysgenic types. is listed as
second legislative aim of the i'm
ediate future.
The rapid multiplication of defec-
We stocks from even the present
small immigration
lotas constitute a grave menace to
merican life. students of eugenics
eclare. In the 33-year period end
February, 1928, it is pointed out.
ore than 100000 aliens of types
wer than the low average of intel-l
renee standard" came to America in II
e total immigration of less than
100000 persons.
A plan to move the entire immigra-
m examination machinery from Ellis
and to the various countries which II
rnish our new peoples has been
ggsted TO administration officials at
asfington, and is said to be now
der consideration by a cabinet Of
err.
Referring to the extensive move
mt of farm folk to the cities and its
eugenic drain, the report
Is the solution seems to DEPEND
efy upon whether American rural
Is economically and eulturaIly at
ctiTe enough to retain the best
cks. and attract new and good
ok from the cities" In this con-
'tion 1t is suggested that legislation
pful to farm credits, farmers CO.
'ratiyes, community art, rural edu-
ion, abolition of protective tariffs
suburban life for city workers''
uld be eugenic measures of the
hest order
Irratgnment of institutions of high
learning for their adherence IN
onastic ideas" regarding married
tents is part of the report.
Their best fellowships are not
n to married students" it saws.
ey seem to be doing much to linn
he propagation of the most intel
ual elements in society.
important steps in the field of Ell
&c education should be taken i'm.