Night Letter

The Hon. Harry L. Hopkins,
Federal Relief Administrator,
Washington, D. C.

The Directors of the American Eugenics Society assembled to-day in New York, unanimously offer you the services of the Society in developing and applying a system whereby the increase of destitution and the consequent burden of taxation for relief may be checked by lowering the inflated birthrate which now prevails among families on relief. STOP. The Society's immediate recommendation is that as a matter of routine every family now on relief or added to the relief rolls hereafter be supplied with information as to the most convenient place where it can secure competent legal advice as to birth control. Letter follows elaborating this offer and supplying data in its support.

Ellsworth Huntington, President.

American Eugenics Society
185 Church Street
New Yorkx Haven, Conn

FEDERAL EMERGENCY RELIEF ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR
WASHINGTON

December 26, 1934

Dr. Ellsworth Huntington
President of the American Eugenics Society
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

Dear Doctor Huntington:

Mr. Hopkins has asked me to reply to your telegram and letter of December 20 transmitting a resolution of the Directors of the American Eugenics Society, recommending that legal advice on birth control be made available routinely to families on relief.

Grants of money made to states by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration become state funds upon receipt by the Governor. These monies, therefore, must be expended in accordance with state laws and regulations. As you appreciate, the subject of birth control is governed by state and local laws. The Federal Emergency Relief Administration is not in a position to execute a program in conflict with these laws under the Act of Congress which created this Administration.

CONFIRMATION OF TELEGRAM

FEBRUARY 11 1935

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

WASHINGTON D C

AS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN EUGENICS SOCIETY I STRONGLY PROTEST AGAINST YOUR FAILURE TO REPORT THE BIRTH CONTROL BILL OUT OF COMMITTEE MANY PEOPLE OF ALL RELIGIOUS PERSUASIONS HAVE EXPRESSED INDIGNATION AT SUCH PROCEDURE WE TRUST YOU WILL RECONSIDER

ELLSWORTH HUNTINGTON
PRESIDENT AMERICAN EUGENICS SOCIETY

Economic Security Act*

Copy of the Statement of Rev. George Reid Andrews, Executive Secretary of the American Eugenics Society

"I am addressing myself to title 7 of Senate bill 1130, dealing with maternal health and child welfare. I am representing the American Eugenics Society, being its executive secretary. The Eugenics Society exists to see that our children are will born and well bred. We are, therefore, interested in eugenics and euthenics. We want to see at least four children born to every couple capable of bequeathing to their children a sound mind in a sound body, and able to provide for their children a fit home and proper character training; and conversely, we want to see fewer children in families unable to provide adequately for their off-spring, and no children born to the feeble-minded, hereditarily diseased, the insane, and the habitual criminal. Anything, therefore, which affects maternal health and child welfare is of concern to us.

We rejoice in this plan of greater economic and health security as set forth in this bill, especially its features relating to maternal and child welfare, although we wish that the appropriations for these purposes might have been more generous. The provisions of the bill go far, but we do not believe they go far enough. There are aspects of maternal health of great importance which are not mentioned and, if considered at all, are vaguely hinted at. The condition of a mother's health at the time of conception and during pregnancy affect the vitality of the child. Moreover, the ability of the mother to care for the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of her children in her home is of great importance for both mother and children. The Eugenics Society believes that the times and frequency of pregnancy are of vital consideration in any program of maternal health and child welfare. A program which ignores these elemental aspects of

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maternal and child health closes its eyes to facts we ignore at our peril.

We wish to recommend, therefore, the incorporation in this bill of
provisions to study the crude and health-destroying practices of distraught
mothers in their efforts to prevent unwanted conception, and the methods
employed to interrupt conception once it has taken place, and above all to
provide adequate and scientific information for mothers by which they may
voluntarily limit their families in keeping with their health and economic
ability to care for their children.

Money spent in this fundamental work for maternal welfare will prove
truly preventive, and will decrease rather than increase the burdens of tax-
ation.

There is one suggestion that we would like to make if it is in order.
If one word were inserted in this bill, we believe that all that we ask for
would be covered. It is in line 11, section 701, title 7; and if the word
were inserted just before the word "maternal care", which would make it
the third word in line 11, the line would then read, " And conducting special
demonstration and research in contraception, maternal care, and other as-
pects of maternal and child health service." Just insert the one word "con-
traception."

* Hearings before The Committee on Finance, United States Senate Seventy-fourth Congress, First Session, on S.1130 - A bill to alleviate the hazards of old age, unemployment, illness, and dependency, to establish a social insurance board in the Department of Labor, to raise revenue and for other purposes. February 13, 14, and 15, 1935.

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL SUBSISTENCE HOMESTEADS CORPORATION
WASHINGTON

OFFICE OF
THE GENERAL MANAGER

IN REPLY REFER TO:

March 27, 1935

44383

Professor Irving Fisher
460 Prospect Street
New Haven, Connecticut

My dear Professor Fisher:

We are referring your letter of March 18 to the Federal Housing Administration, since the suggestion contained therein is more directly applicable to the work being done by that organization.

In connection with the planning of our subsistence homesteads, we are making use of all educational and recreational facilities offered by the various agencies and services of the Federal Government, of the various states, and of the communities on the periphery of which our homestead communities are established.

We should be pleased to have the more definite statement as regards your suggestion which you promised in your letter.

Sincerely yours,

Acting General Manager

THE MASTER BUILDER

A pleasing voice was talking ear-
nestly, helpfully about American
homes. A Saturday night broad-
cast from Washington was on.

Characteristic of a new era, THE
MASTER BUILDER, of the Federal
Housing Administration, talks each
week, not with scores of friends, but
with thousands of people. He talks to them of home
and home problems with a warmth and friendliness
born only of conviction. This new radio personality,
speaking from years of experience, tells property
owners how they may receive the benefits of the Na-
tional Housing Act. Yet, although this is his pri-
mary purpose, so deep and vital is his interest in
home, and all that pertains to it, that it is frequently
difficult for him to keep from digressing and talking
on the fundamental, social, and spiritual values
which make a house a home.

"Your nice friendly voice came
way up to this little toy city of the
Sierras, where deep mines are roaring and folk are busily engaged in
remodeling their homes and public
buildings, and it drifted into a little
room where I sit before a typewriter
and tick the days away", writes a
listener to THE MASTER BUILDER,
"and I said I like the person who
owns that voice, so I'm writing to
tell you that we have much in common, and that I've decided we are
friends." Typical of hundreds of
letters received daily is this letter
from California—typical in that it
shows how this simple, homely character is making friends from coast
to coast. But it is not surprising

because, as THE MASTER BUILDER says himself,
"Home folks are the same the world over." It is
probable that because he is primarily a home person
himself that he strikes a universal note, because
letters have been received from as far away as Ireland
and Poland.

It seems fitting that a representative of a Federal agency should strike a resounding chord in the heart of the Nation. No nation is ever greater than its homes, and here we have an official representative of the Nation advising and counseling on problems affecting our greatest national asset. This practical, experienced builder tells of remodeling, of interior decorating, of insulating. Practical ideas, sound and based upon common sense ideas of economy and efficiency, and he gives them in simple terms—terms which strike a common denominator, terms that are familiar to us all.

But behind the philosophy, behind the practicality of this personality one feels that there is a sincere note of progressive thinking. THE MASTER BUILDER is always looking to the future. He counsels planning for the future, for future comfort and happiness. He shows how investing in your home means investment for the future, and Ben Franklin's adage "a penny saved is a penny earned" he takes as his own.

Not only does THE MASTER BUILDER answer personally the hundreds of letters he receives daily, but he sends a copy of that most helpful publication issued by the Federal Housing Administration—"The Property Owner's Check List." He tells not only about the betterment of housing conditions, of better living for Americans, but also how this may be accomplished. He tells how the Modernization Credit Plan operates and how home improvement may be financed under the provisions of the National Housing Act, and not only are the residents of towns and cities writing him, but folks in the rural districts as well.

Seventy-seven stations in a coast-to-coast network carry the message of THE MASTER BUILDER every Saturday night at 6:45 E. S. T. and every Saturday night thousands of Americans are listening. The broadcast from Washington is on.

Four Other Federal Housing Administration
Programs for You to Hear

“WHAT HOME MEANS TO ME”

SUNDAY 12:15 P. M., E. S. T., National
Broadcasting Company Red Network

What does “home” really mean? Each Sunday a nationally
known speaker tells what it means to him or to her, how it has
influenced their lives, their thoughts, and their actions, and
what it can be made to mean to others. The talks, coming
from the lips of these prominent people, emphasize the true
significance of home and are intensely interesting. These pro-
grams are made possible by the General Electric Company,
who generously donated the radio time to the Federal Housing
Administration.

“THE STORY OF $1,000”

WEDNESDAY 12:45 P. M., E. S. T., Columbia
Broadcasting Company

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson recently modernized their home. It
cost them one thousand dollars. More than $750 was spent
for labor—paid to a carpenter, an electrician, a painter, a
plumber, and so on. What did these men do with it? Each
Wednesday “Martha Holmes”, the Better Housing reporter,
will trace that money through the homes of these workers.
She will dramatize exactly what happened to it—how it was
spent—what joy and happiness it brought—what it meant in
the lives of these people. The stories are full of human interest
and are typical of what is happening in many American homes
today.

“THE HOUSE DETECTIVE”

THURSDAY 11:30 A. M., E. S. T., National
Broadcasting Company Red Network

Meet a new type of "Sherlock Holmes"—a sleuth who wants
to talk with all home owners who are being robbed—robbed of
investment values—robbed of happy dispositions by inade-
quate or inefficient home equipment—robbed of comfortable,
cheery living. Each week the "mystery" in some home is
dramatically uncovered and cleverly solved.

“RUTH HUBBARD”

FRIDAY 11:15 A. M., E. S. T., American
Broadcasting Company

"The family used to live in the kitchen, now they congregate
in the living room", exclaimed Dr. Louise Stanley in a char-
acteristic broadcast. Other celebrated authorities on home
and home problems will meet with Ruth Hubbard weekly for
a morning discussion on how you can better your home.

Air time of these programs has been donated to the
Federal Housing Administration

16-3561

W. WARREN BARBOUR
NEW JERSEY

United States Senate

WASHINGTON, D. C.

April 24, 1935

Mr. Ellsworth Huntington, President,
American Eugenics Society,
Yale University,
New Haven, Conn.

Dear Mr. Huntington:

I acknowledge with thanks your letter of the
23rd with reference to S-1541, which is now pending before
my Committee.

I believe firmly that the measure should be
amended to permit physicians and recognized medical insti-
tutions to send contraceptive information through the mails.

With best wishes

Most sincerely,

COMMITTEES:
INTEROCEANIC CANALS
LIBRARY
MANUFACTURES
MILITARY AFFAIRS
MUNITIONS INVESTIGATION
POST OFFICES AND POST ROADS
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

SAM HOBBS
4TH DIST. ALABAMA

COMMITTEE:
POST OFFICE AND POST ROADS

HOME ADDRESS:
SELMA, ALABAMA

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.

April 24, 1935

Hon. Ellsworth Huntington,
President, American Eugenics Society,
Yale University,
New Haven, Connecticut.

Dear Mr. Huntington:

I have your letter of the 22nd, expressing your wishes concerning the addition of a clause to bill H. R. 5370, exempting physicians from its provision, and I greatly appreciate your writing me in this regard. I have noted carefully what you have to say, and I assure you that this request shall receive my most careful and sincere consideration, in the light of your suggestions.

Thanking you again for writing me, I am,

h/g

August 11, 1936

The Solicitor
United States Post Office
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs

We are about to mail 500 copies of the EUGENICS REVIEW, a quarterly magazine, to our members with the attached slip, membership card and the enclosed return envelope, at a 3 cent postage rate.

About two-thirds of our members are scientific men in the fields of medicine, biology, sociology, psychology, botany and zoology. The remainder are individuals and organizations interested in social welfare work.

The Eugenics Review is published, as you will note, by Macmillan Company in London for the English Eugenics Society, of which The Lord Horder, Surgeon to the King, is President.

No question was raised by the Customs officials regarding the entry of these 500 copies of this magazine of high repute.

We intend to mail out this magazine to our members every three months and should like to be sure that the material we send out always conforms with Post Office regulations.

Kindly advise us by return mail whether this package is entirely in order at the 3 cent rate, so we may proceed with the mailing.

Very truly yours,

RCB:EB