Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-14
CHILDREN ARE HELD
BIGGEST i. S. ASSET
Economic Value of Youth to
Nation Figured Out by Gov
eminent Officials.
BY ], C. ROYLE.

The greatest asset of the United
States, In the view of Government Of
ficials, consists of the children of the
Nation. They estimate the economic
value of a boy baby at birth at $9,333.
This value gradually increases as he
grows to Is years, when his potential
value to the Nation is $28,654. 1t costs
$7.238 on the average to raise a child
from birth to 18, so that before most
boys have really taken their first steps
in the business and industrial world
each one already shows the United
States a profit of S21 .416.
The value of child at birth is based
on the amount it would be necessary to
put out at 3 1-3 per cent to rear the
child to 18 years and to produce the
net income he is expected to earn
throughout the working period of his
life. Thus 1t Is estimated that the ag-
gregate value of the male population
of the United States Is 81, 144 ZOO, 000, 900.
Population Grows Rapidly.
Since so much Of the work of women
is that of the housewife, their value
cannot readily be reduced to dollars
and cents basis. 1t is commended that
the value of the female population Is
a least equal to that of the male citi-
zenS, but even estimating it at one
haf, the country has a total vital asset
value of $1,700,0 900 100000. This is
about five times the estimated material
wealth of the Nation. Some of the
material resources are as yet undevel-
oped, but population Is growing steadily,
as the present census figures show, and
there Is little likelihood that the ratio
of vital to material assets will change
sharply.
After reaching the age of 10 some
children cease to show profit to the
Nation, but these are in small mi
nority. Most citizens continue to in
crease their value up to the age Of so
or beyond. The rate Of growth OF value
in the youth is shown by the following
figures: At birth, 1888; year, $10,-
$50; years, $11,250; 3 years, $4,000;
years, S13,150; 5 years, S14156; 10
years, $19,078; Is years, $25,34l; 10
years, $28,654
In view of the value of these human
| assets, the Federal authorities and in
| dustrial leaders are giving more thought
and attention to public health ques-
| tons than ever before. Each death
| which might pe prevented means a d.
| rect loss of thousands Of dollars and
lessening Of the working forces and
\ buying power of the Nation These
| facts are behind safety-first campaigns
| and dissemination of information on
health and hygiene.
Child Crop Important.
The theorem to be solved Is as simple
+, as plus 2. It costs $7,238 to raise
| child OF this sum 1884 is expended
| on the childs health. If the child Is
kept well, this sum is saved. Moreover
| it Is estimated that the average per
| capita loss from work on account of
sickness in this country is at least
seven days year. The White House
conference on child health and pro-
lection estimates that $4,000 900 900
can be saved annually to the Nation by
| preventive methods against illness and
by education in hygiene
! TIL. cost Of raising a child to 49, as
| divided by the economists, include the
! following items: Cost of being born,
| $3.50; food, $4,000; clothing end shelter,
| $3,400 Gnclud' lg taxes, which provide
| for education); minor educational ex-
penSes, $50. Other minor items make
up the total.
When Brigham Young first led his
! followers to Utah, he caused to lie
taught and preached in every Mormon
meeting house that "Utah's best crop
is children" Government officials say
that the business world is coming to
adopt this doctrine as the right one for
| the Nation.
copyright. 1907