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Image provided by: Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, LA
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BIRTH REGISTRATION. Paper Read Before Bastrop School Improvement League by Mrs. Fred M. Odom. In the excellent paper read at the last meeting, one of the most salient points brought out, was the right of each infant to be well born. I can not say what percentage of the in fants fall heir to this natural her itage; but the next step in their ca reer is in the reach of each child born in the state, whether be comes from a long line.: of thinking people who have looked forward to his "coming wvith an intelligent provision for his mental, moral and physical welfare; or whether his ancestors hace taken no thought for him, and are them selves the poorest specimen s of hu manity. I speak on birth registration. If the child lives, having his birth reg istered is valuable to him, in a dozen different ways, and if he dies at birth or shortly after a record of his birth and death is valuable to the bureau of vital statistics. In 1914 the legislature enacted laws, and made all necessary provis ions for a complete and methodical bureau of vital statistics throughout the state. To be in the the registra tion area in the United States is to be on the honor roll. To be on this roll, at least 90% of the births and deaths must be registered and there are only five states in the union that I have not been able to get their names I on the roll for births or deaths or both. In 1920 Louisiana succeeded in getting her name on the birth reg istration roll, and now the plea goes I out from the State Board of Health, I that "Louisiana must protect her na tional prestige, and keep an accurate record from the cradle to the grave." So far, we have not succeeded ind getting in the death registration area, but the registrars are making a strenuous effort in that direction. Our laws are satisfactory, but have not I been enforced sufficiently long, for I the public in general and the physi cians, nurses and midwives in particu lar to recognize the benefits to be derived from their enforcement. Some of those from whom the State Board of Health has a right to E expect support and cooperation, look < upon the Department of Vital Statis- I ties as a joke. They consider it a 1 game in which their 'part is to conceal ' all information possible from the ' rfegistrar. They seem to think she o is getting rich SO FAST in the office a that she should have to work a little, I in order to partially earn her large 8 salary. This said large salary con- i sists of a fee of 25c for each certifi- c cate received, tabulated, copied and I filed, and it sometimes amounts to e as much as $10.00 in a single quarter! But from that she must deduct such c items as stationery and stamps. She t FREQUENTLY has to copy a cer- I tificate invoice, because the one she r received is not legible enough to send C to the State Board of Health for filing. * But to go back to the phase that we t are considering today. The following are the recognized reasons for urging birth registration: 1. It is benefiicial in that the birth, date of birth, parentage and I other essential information for gov ernmental and identification purpose's be officially recorded. 2. That the age of school children t may be definitely known, so that the proper enforcement of school laws may be possible. I believe we have no enforcement of this compulsory edu cation law, but we are hoping for that when we take our next step for ward. 3. That the laws affecting child labor may be effective, and young children thereby protected from im- i pairing their health. 4. That labor may become safer I by eliminating childret under legal age from hazardous employments. 5. That law abiding employers of youth may be protected from decep tion on the part of the eager child. 8. That matters of inheritance and the settlement of estates may be sim plified by a definite knowledge of the ages of all persons concerned. 7. That American-born children of foreign-born parents may have un disputed evidence of their American birth, and thereby be protected from enforced military duty while visiting in the mother country of the parents. 8. That blindness may be prevent ed, by prompt medical attention to the infected eyes of the new born. 9. That infections and mortality among mothers and infants may be prevented, and the infants be saved, by immediate attention from those agencies for the relief of the poor. 10. That the Children's Bureau of the U1. S. Government may become effective and may carry out the du ties imposed upon it by congress. 11. That the millions of dollars from public and private sources ded icated to the protection of infants and the welfare of the young, may be wisely and intelligently spent. IRS. FRED M. ODOV, Local Registrar. COMMUNICATED. Baton Rouge, Dec. 15, 1921. Dear Miss McGrath-Regarding the suggestion about which we were speaking the other day, that was made by a writer in a recent number of the "Woman's Enterprise," namely that the present L. S. U. be converted into a girls' school, when the Uni versity on the new site is complet ed. I am not surprised that this sug gestion brought -forth several spir ited replies as well as the resolution passed by the Federation of Women's Clubs at the recent session here. Many of us felt rather confident-in this age when so few things are sure -that the policy of co-education, at least as far as State schools are con cerned, was pretty firmly established. Now, lo and behold, in the midst of all the problems and perplexities which are generally recognized as real in this troubled time-up pops the idea that our country's achievement of educating men and women togeth er, is all wrong; and that we should revert to the old system of the man's university and-I suppose, the "fe male seminary." Although this question, like every one under the sun, will probably find some merit "on the other side," the man who would convince a modern audience against the "principle" of co-education in university, would have a difficult task. Not that he could not find in our colleges plenty of de ficiencies and weaknesses. The at mosphere of our educational institu tions is in large measure, flippant, careless, lazy and "sporty"; and a good number of students are wasting their own time and their parents' and the State's money. But the champion of segregation would have to search far for proof that these conditions are due to the system of co-education and not to general social tendencies of the day. The fact is, as I see it, that the trend toward co-education is but one manifestation of the whole woman movement. Its existence corresponds with, or has been preparatory to co operation of woman with man in the economic, industrial, scientific, artis tic, political and social fields. Co education has become the logical kind of education in a world in which the present idea of womanhood prevails. It is a platitude that the old idea of woman's nature and woman's place, which reached its flower in the ideals of chivalry, is dashed to pieces, and all the king's horses and all the king's men cannot put it together again. Although there is a tendency in this age of jazz to restore a cari cature of the old conception in the popular "baby" ideal for the mod ern young lady. As the woman of today is a citizen of the world, so she will insist that her education must be the education planned for "people" and not for "fe males," and that she get that edu cation in the most natural and help ful method, availing herself of the best instruction and equipment, side by side with man. Is it not possible that the sugges tion that the present University be converted into a woman's college is prompted not really by preference for segregation of sexes, but rather' by sentiment for the old site and desire to retain it as an educational insti tution? Such sentiment is admirable. We need not go far to see the build ings of the once proud old Centenary College falling to decay. The sight of it sends a pang to my heart, though I never even knew the place in the days of its flourishing. The thought that such could some day be the fate of our present University, or that it should give way to stores and factor ies, is an offense to our feelings. These grounds, about which cluster good traditions and sweet memories, should, in so far as may be practi cable, be preserved. A splendid build inig, such as the Hill Memorial Li brary should stand for generations, and always be used for purposes like that for which it was built. I do believe that when the time comes, means 'jill be found to accomplish all this. So many wants are to be ful filled. Surely, for all this sentiment, there is no necessity to take the back ward step of re-establishing a sepa rate women's college. With best wishes for the continued success of your paper, HAROLD F. REINHART. p WOMAN'S LABEL UNION In spite of inclement weather a large attendance was present Friday night at the Red Men's Hall when the Woman's International Union La bel League and Trade Unions Aux iliary went into permanent organiza tion about 100 strong. The follow ing officers were elected and installed: Goldie Costley, president; Maude Altazin, first vice president; Flora Gillingham, secretary; Blanche Bone, treasurer; Georgie Yauns, sargeant at-arms; Mary Page, door keeper. Each local union was represented and splendid talks were madt by the representatives. TRIMED HATS AT $1.95 TS.That Sels'eke m.r For Less. TRIMMED EATS AT $4.95 One lot of Ladies' Trimmed One lot of Ladies' Trimmed Hats, values up to C49 Hats, including some pattern Has vle up95 1- St. Bato. a La. Hats, values to $4.95 $8,00, at ......... $12.00, at .......... Beautiful Silk Petticoats rý ` Gowns They will make most ' , ' `. 1 '. ,A lovely range of models welcome gifts for every t i woman, at - ; to select from, at ' 1 't $1.98 " $3.98 up Christmas Specials Christmas Sale of Suits, Coats and Dresses SUITS DRESSES One lot of Ladies' Serge Suits, loose line ef- One lot of Ladies' Dresses, consisting of Trico fects, "19.00 values, special at .....$9,90 tines and Serges, values to X19.90 $8,75 One lot of Ladies' Suits, consisting of Broad cloths and Velours values to $50 at $24,95 One lot of Ladies' Dresses, consisting of Can ton Crepes Tricotines and Twills, values to COATS $ `9.90 oat . .................. .$14,90 One lot of Ladies' Coats, values One lot of Ladies' Dresses consisting of Can to $19.90 at ....................$9,90 ton Crepes, Tricotines, Poiret Twills, Crepe do One lot of Ladies' Coats, values Chines, values to $45.00 at ......$24, 90 to $25.00 at ................ ..$14,90 nr ,. . Tn 0nov*ln PEGGY PAIGE DRESSES, values up One lot of Ladies' Coats, values to $40.00 at . ..$24,90 to $90.00; your choice ........$39,90 Blouses for Superox Fashionable Pretty Knit Xmas Gifts Hosiery Gloves Sweaters Each in a Xmas box, mak ing a present that will be Every woman will delight A gift that will be always of delightful fluffy yarns, the most acceptable you in a pair of these Silk appropriate for its own in most becoming colors, at could select. Stockings at, the pair sake. Prices range from $2.48 up $1.00 up $1.25 up . $4.95 "p 'The Biggest Suit Value in Years We present to men and young men of Baton Rouge the biggest suit values we have ever offered in several years. Owing to a fortunate purchase, at a great concession, from one of the leading makers of the country, we are able to pass the savings to you - and this we have done in this special event. You cannot ignore this opportunity. $55.00 Suits at ........................S29.90 845.00 Suits at ............................S24.90 CHRISTMAS SHOE SALE Ladies' High Top Shoes Ladies' Oxfords One lot of Black Kid Lace High Heel Shoes, $2.95 One lot of Dark Brown Ball Strap Low Heel $3.95 sizeis 2½/ to 6. Special at .................... Oxfords. Special at................. One lot of Brown and Black High and Low Heel $445 One lot of Dark Brown Kid Oxfords, military $6.95 Shoes. Special at ...........................heels. Special at. 9IMIIBIEL pac