The monitor., 1928-06-15
SURVEY ExPLODES
DEGEHREACY MYTH
OF RACIAL MIXING
Illinois University's Students Study
Instructive Data Which Result
In Unexpected Con-
clusions
THE RACIALLY PURE A RARITY

Champaign, Ill.-As the result of
an extensive scientific research work
in the study of racial groups at the
University of Illinois, it has been
found that there is no racial degen-
eraey from mixing of race in the
United States, it is reported.
The scientific authorities state
that the Illinois data do not give sup
port to the expected degeneracy of
races in the United States. Accord
ing to report the so-called Nordic
students at the university as whole
furnished an average scholastic
grade showing marked inferiority"
to that of the other races.
Racial-Purity Questioned
Writing on the intellectual accom-
plishment in regards to American
''raciar" mixture, an authority had the
following to say:
Zone hears much about the de-
terioration of races and the conse-
of superiority through the preserva-
ton of racial integrity. The acri-
monious discussion of alleged Nordic
superiority and similar themes relat
ing to comparative racial values are
still fresh in memory. If the claims
that have been advanced are founded
on indisputable evidence of char
acter convincing to legitimate
skeptic, it becomes a matter for ma
tional concern to consider how the
most fit may be conserved and pro-
ioted.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the
purity of racial character can be
established in comparatively few per-
sons. Even where one would expect
a homogeneous group to exist, racial
heterogeneity appears from critical
study of the individuals to be pre-
times inclined to ask whether in this
country there is any pure stock
aside from the native American In
dian To those who fear the conse-
quences of the melting pot, a recent
study of racial groups in a large uni
versity may give food for thought.
Relatively Few Racially Pure
"As Hayes, who conducted the in
vestigation at the University of Illi-
hog ial tf~s.f &c
might be expected to stand out defi-
nitely against such a background of
cultural similarity. He has consider
ed the scholastic records of thousands
of Illinois students in relation to their
racial classification.
"The foremost feature of his in
vestigation was that relatively few of
the students at this university could
be definitely assigned to any racial
group. The student population is
thoroughly mixed in blood and is
descended mainly from European
populations, each of which is mixed.
In making the classifications, pri-
mary Importance was given to the
factors of physical anthropology-to
cephalic index and eye color. Hair
color and stature were recognized as
less significant but treated as corro-
borative evidence when, for exam
pie, blond hair and high stature ac-
companied dolicocephalic index and
blue eyes, or when medium stature,
stocky build and chestnut hair accom-
panied a brachycephalic index and
hazel eyes.
"The race of their parents, as
given by the students, and their
names were also treated as having
some corroborative value. Thus the
classification was far from a hap
hazard one. Among the few students
who could be definitely assigned, the
majority were Nordics. The latter
group as a whole furnished an aver
age scholastic grade showing marked
inferiority.'