Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-09-27

n being, the young father. is
~ coming into his own. While
il is true that a large number
of modern homes are stlli
equipped with fathers. they usually
rank in importance somewhere pc
tween the hatrack and the electric
washing machine.
Within the last month, however
two notable events have served TO
bring this hitherto obscure ana neg
lected species into the public eye. The
first was the 'rock-a.bye" contest re-
Gently staged for young fathers IN
Washington. Each entry was HANDED
his baby in state OF acute soca q,
ERUPTION The contest consisted IN
finding out which one would be the
first to reduce his offspring TO state
of coma without the assistance OF
ether, wooden mallets or a series OF
Pat and Mike stories. 1t took the
winner just minutes ana Az SECONDS
by the stop-watch to sing his chlld
into unconsciousness. He then laced
the cheering grandstands, took nine
bows and left the field with limp IN
FAINT on one arm, and the prize, IA SELF
filling milk bottle, on the other.
The second event of interest TO
fathers WAS the publication of book
written especially for his instruction
and guidance. 1t Is about the nfSl
time since King Lear that he has re-
ceived any literary attention. y flVe-
mile shelf of books has been published
in recent years for the guidance OF
babies who want 10 learn the best
methods for the proper handling or
their parents. There have even been
volumes written for the special benent
of the mother-books that generally
have as cover a mob scene OF papE
faces emerging from cloud, and that
to l.
are full of archreterences TO tiie ~
tie stranger.
Until the present time, however, the
, only book that fathers attention was
called to in such an event was check
book. The only reading that he was
expected to do was on a clinical Their
nnometer except maybe for hurried
midnight persual of volume e$
pounding the symptoms of Group.
But now there is no further excuse
for a fathers not knowing what the
coming of the little stranger is likely
TO do to him
Fairfax Downey has written with
wisdom and counsel to assist the more
| HELPLESS of the two parents into some
! understanding of WHY the biblical pa
| triarchs who raised 40 children are al
ways represented in stained glass win,
| dows as men with Whltened nalr anu
wrinkled faces.
Mr.. Downey begins with breaking
! the News to the New Father" 1t be
| ing generally agreed that father ought
to be told about it. Otherwise ne
! might resent having perfect
| stranger of either sex monopollze his
bathroom his shaving powder ana
practically all the rings on the gas
! stove.
| A LTHOUGH announcements may De
made formally, with engraving or
| informally over the telephone, the IN
fluence of the motion picture film has
| been swung unhesitatingly behind the
| tiny garment method.
| This method had been utilized with
such appalling frequency that it has
| become a movie maxim Of unfailing
{ effectiveness that any wife to calm
any husband simply has to flash a
shirt, infants size, at him." says Mr..
! Downey. Things have got to such a
state that in real life an entirely ex-
emplary husband is apt to be terribly
startled when his wife, during slight
| tiff, takes a tea towel out of her sew
| ing basket
The husband having been informed
of his approaching blessing, Mr..
/ Downey then proceeds to list both the
general preparations for fatherhood
and the items necessary for the
fathers layette.
! First" says Mr.. Downey, The
should consult a reliable physician.
Ths consultation generally consists In