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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 1905)
THE MORNING OREGONIAN, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1905. CROP OF BABIES FftST DECLIN1N Rapid-and Constant decrease in the Birthrate of Oregon. Washington is like her Pormerly Leading tlicNation in "Nat ural Increase, Oregon 1cads in Decrease of Ratio Doc tor Tells Cause. ORBGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington. Sept. 10. The Census Bureau through a recently published bulletin, oaMs attention to the fact that the birth rate 1b declining in Oregon faster than in any ether state In the Union, and Oregon, -w'Mch only 46 years ago held the record birth rate of the United States, is now rapidly noarfng the foot of the list. In 1W0 the birth rate in Oregon was nearly double that in thg, entire United States; Ave yours ago, according to the last cen sus, Oregon had fallen below the general average, and well below almost every other state in the West, California ex aoptod. OrogM, a good Roosevolt state on po litical lss"uos, sooms to disagree with Mr. Roosevelt on the race-suicide ques tion, fer Oregon' is tumbling from its lofty position to the foot of the list at a rte which, if kept up for two more deoades, will place Oregon behind every other part of the country in this impor tant respect. Unfortunately, Professor Walter F. Wtttcox. of Cornell University, the author of the census bulletin, does not take up and discuss the change in birth rate of the various states. The census bulletin throws no light on the Oregon situation, other than is conveyed in mere figures, but these ilgures tell the story by results, loavtag the causes to be brought out by leeal authorities. . Figures Tell the Story. As the figures tell the story, some clta--tiens will be made from, the report of -Professor Willoox. In 16M, whon the average birth rate in the United States was 634 (that is, when there were- CM children under 5 years of age to every 1000 females between the ages of IS and 49), the birth rate in Ore gon was 1096, the record for the entire country- Utah was a close second with a rate of 1004, more than one child to each potential mother. In the State of Wash ington the rate was just 1000, or one child to each potential mother. There was no census in what is now Idaho in I860, but ten years later the census reached into that territory, and a birth rate of 715 was returned, or three children to every four potential mothers. Forty-Jive years later, or in 1900, at the itfme the last census was taken, the avcr nge birthrate In the United States had de clined 26 por cent and stood at 474, but Orogon "failed to equal that Ibw average. whore in 1S0O she had nearly doubled the higher average of the entire country. According to the last census the blrth rato in Oregon has fallen to 425, an ac tual decrease of 671, or a fall of 61 per cent in 45 years. This is a greater actual decline and a greater percentage decline than in any other part ot the United States, and it is also to be noted-that it is an almost steady deoline from the first. Oregon, with its famous climate that tends to produce long life; Oregon that boasts of its centenarians, is now hold up to public gaze in another and less creditable line, and the worst of it is the new reputation is borne out by actual facts and figures. Washington Nearly as Bad. Take "Washington. The Tecord of that state is not to be applauded. It is almost, but net qdlte, as bad as Oregon's. Back in I860, when there was a child for every woman between the ages of 15 and 49 which Is not .saying that every woman between "those ages was possessed of one lone child), Washington stood third on the list of spates as to birth rate, being ranked only 'by Orogon and Utah. Since then there has been a gradual decline, until, according to the census of 1900, the rate in Washington Is only 459, five below the general average for the United States. True, the rate of decline has not been so groat as in Oregon, nor has the actual deoline been so groat, but there has been a falling off of 531 in actual numbers, or 53 per cent. It is thorefore apparent that Washington is pushing Oregon a close second, and is forging ahead in a frantic effort to get into the race suicide com munities. Other States Rank Lower. It is to be noted, however, that there are any number of states where the birth rate is lower than In Oregon or "Wash ington. Pennsylvania alone excepted, there is not a state on the North Atlantic or New England coast but whose birth rate is way below that of Oregon. In .fact, the present average birth 'rate for New England is only 357. In the Middle Atlantic States the rate grows larger, still further increases in the Southern States, and when you go.t over into the farming states of the Middle West there is a still more appreciable Increase. North -Dakota is now the leading state in point of birth rats, but the record there is away below the old Oregon and Washing ton record of 1860. It is only 699. As North Dakota heads the list, the District of Columbia brings up the tall end. Hero in Washington the birth rate is 200. JThon there is Idaho, which is neither a record-breaker nor .a slouch. In 1870,the time of its first census, the rate was 715. Ji has fallen but 5 "per cent, for the last census showed it to be 644 away above the general avorage, ,in fact a rate that is exceeded only in North Dakota, Oklahoma and Indian Territory. Dr. Billings'. Explanation. Professor Wlllcox does not himself enter into a discussion of the causes of the decline in the birth rate, but quotes from a paper by Dr. John Shaw Billings, n rec ognized authority, In which the subject Is handled boldly and some very pertinent opinions are expressed. Bere Is the quo tation: Does this diminution In birth rate indicate a progressive diminution In fertility, in the power of either or both sexes to produce chll dr? There is no good reason for thinking; .BoVVltyJa true that it haa.betn.eHeKMrted .that alcohol, obaccoand, sjp&niR. re,producing- a deterioration of races which is in part respon sible for the -change, but of this there U no evidence. So far as ire have data with regard to the use.of Intoxicating- liquors, the fertility jweme to ,bt greatest In those countries and among those classes where they are most freely used. Is the lessening birth rate due to changes in the mode of life of the people, such as the progressive increase of migration from the rural districts to the cities, the Increase of wealth and luxury, the so-called "emancipa tion of women." etc.? No doubt these things have some Influence, by diminishing the proportion of marriage at comparatively e&rly ages, and by Severing an Increase in divorce and in prostitution, but It is probable that the most Important factor in the change Is the deliberate and voluntary avoidance or prevention of child-bearing on the part of a steadily Increasing number of mar ried people, who not only prefer to hare but few children, but who know how to obtain their wish. The reasons for this are numerous, but I will mention only three. General Knowledge of "Physiology. The -first Is the diffusion of information with regard to the subject of generation by means of popular and school treatises on physiology and hygiene, which diffusion began between 30 and 40 years ago. Girls of 20 years of age at the premnt day know muoh more about anatomy and physiology than did their grand mothers at the same age, and xhe married wo men are much better Informed as to the means by which the number of children may be lim ited than were those of SO years age. To some extent this may also be true as regards the young men, buUI do not think this is an im portant factor. The second caum has been the growth of the opinion that the- abstaining from having chil dren on the part of a married couple Is not only not in lUelf sinful, or contrary to the usual forms of religious creeds, but that It may even be under certain circumstances com mendable. ' The third cause is the great Increase in the use ef things- which were formerly considered as luxuries, but which now have beeeme al most necessities. The greater temotatlens to expenditure for the purpose of eecurlng or maintaining social position, and the corres pondingly greater cost of family Hfe ia what may be ealicd the lower middle clauei, lead to the desire to have fewer children In -order that they pay be each better provided for, or perhaps. In some cases, from the purely e4flsh motive of dlre to avoid care and trouble and of having more to spend or social pleas ures. Independence of "Women. In the struggle for what Is deemed a desir able mode of existence at the present day, marriage is being held less desirable, and Its bonds ltfijt sacred, than they were 40 years ago. Young women are gradually being lafbued with the Idea that marriage and motherhood are not to be their chief object in life, or the sqpe methods of obtaining subsistence; that they should aim at being independent of porsible or actual husband and should fit themselves to earn their own llrlng In some one of the many waye in which females are beginning to find Increasing sources of remunerative employment; that housekeeping Is a sort of domestic slavery, and that it is best to remain unmarried until some one offers who has the means to gratify their educated tastes. They desire to take a mere active part than women have hitherto dene In the management of the affairs of the community, te have wider Interests, and to live broader lives than their mothers and grandmothers have done. It is a strong argument against this theory of the causation of the lowered birthrate for this country ihat the greatest diminution In the rate has apparently occurred in the agricul tural statef. and especially among the col ored population in the South, It appears to be probablf that this greater diminution in 'these states Is due, to some extent, at least, te greater errors in the data from which the rates are calculated, both in the count of the living Infants and in the returns of the "born and died during the year." It is also probable that voluntary prevention of conception had been far mere common in the Northern and Eastern states for a number ef yeans preceding JB50 that It was in the South, but that after 1860 it has increased in the South, producing a relatively greater effect in reduction or rates, although the absolute rates are Kill decidedly higher than they are in the New England States. Birthrate Will Still Decline. If this view of the case Is correct, the birth rate will ae only continue low In the United States as compared with former years, but It will probably become lower. On the other hand, o long as the present tendency of the people te aggregate In cities continues, as It is likely to do until our coal supplies begin to shrink perceptibly, with a corresponding Increase in the cost of power for purposes of manufacture and transportation, so long the death rates arc likely to increase, and. there fore, the rate of increase in population due to excess of births over deaths will diminish. This state of things has occurred before In the world's history in certain regions, as. fer instance, la. Southern and Western Europe during the decline ef the Roman Empire, and if the Increase of population had not been checked, as it then was, the world would now be overcrowded. It does net appear to me that this lessening of the birthrate is in Itself an evil, or that It will be worth while te 'attempt to increase the birthrate merely for the sake of maintain ing a constant .Increase in population, because te neither this nor the next generation will suoh Increase be specially beneficial. But con sidered as one of the signs of forces which are at work to modify the existing conditions I: m of society, and some of which appear to be of evil tendency, this diminution ef the birthrate merits careful consideration by statisticians, sociologists, politicians and all who are in terested In the physical and moral well-being of the Inhabitants of this country. Hood's Sarsaparllla cures scrofula, salt rheum and all other troubles caused by Impure blood. AWARDED Grand Prize Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louts. Paris 1900, Buffalo 1901, Chicago 1893. The moit complete assort ment of GOOD Shoes in the Pacific Northwest New Fall styles now on sale. ROSENTHALS 149 THIRD ST. Between Mernoe el AUer SOLE AGENTS For Thete Celebrated Shoes r e The Manual Training Voting Contest Be gins Today Fathers and Mothers, what are you doing for Are you letting: him just drift along: In the rut, at tending school when It's In session then three or four months of play then back at school again the same old routine study ing: the same things the other boys study, regard less of whether he is mak ing: the progress he ought to make? Or are you watching: Tils development carefully, keeping in close touch with hlB school work, his play and his leisure occupations generally in short, are you giving the same close attention to your boy's physical, mental and moral development that you're giving to your business or social duties? Do you believe in a practical education for boys the kind that fits, rather than unfits th,em for life? Do you believe that a boy should be taught to apply the knowledge gained In school? To learn practice as well as theory? Do you want your boy to become a useful citizen. Instead of a mere social ornament? THIS STORE GIVES THREE FREE SCHOLARSHIPS JS THE THAT WILL HELP SOME Read particulars In Sunday papers. Bargain Pickups From the Small-Wares Shops 1st Floor. White Pearl Shirt Buttons Two or four holes, one dozen buttons on card, all sizes; special at, the card..5 Omo Zouave Detachable Dress and Corset Shields. In all sizes; our 65c value, special at 49 "20th Century" Needle and Pin Books. Our 10c value, special at, each 7$ Geneva Silk Finish Thread. For hand or machine use, 500-yard spools, in black only, size 0 or A; our 10c value, special at, each 7$ s Fancy Shell Back Combs. Our 15c value, special at, each. 10 Felt Shoe Polishers. Reversible, used instead of cloth or brush; our 25c value, special at, each 15 Sunshine Shoe Polish. In tubes, for all kinds of fine black leathers, easily applied; 25c value, special. .19 Fine Imported English Perfumes. In bulk, violet", rose, clover blossom, lilac, pink and heliotrope odors we furnish bottles; our 50c value, special at, oz. 25 Violet Perfumed Talcum Powder Delicate and refreshing; our 10c value, special at, the box 4$ Clear Glycerine Toilet Soap. Large size" cakes; our 10c value, special at, the cake 7$ Fancy Lace Edge Shelf Paper. In all colors, 10 yards to piece; oir 5c value, special at, the piece 3$ Plain White Japanese Crepe Paper Napkins. 100 in package; our 15c value, special at, the package XO Whiting Victoria Initial Box Writing Paper. Initial embossed on each sheet, all letters. Plain white paper with envelopes to match; our 35c value, special at, box 19 "Lewis and Clark" Box Paper. With views of Fair on each sheet of paper and on envelopes; our 35c 'value, special at, the box , 25$ FASHION IN Dainty New Laces First Floor. ' Narrow Mechlin Edges and Insertions Priced at, the yard 10 $ to 25 New Maltese Laces and Insertions Priced at, the yard 12V$ up to 25$ Irish Crochet Edges and B.ands Priced up from, the yard 45 With allovers to match. Beautiful Black Ohantilly Edges and Inser tionsPriced at,' the yard, up from 10 $ Net Top Venise Laces In cream or -white bands and insertions to match priced at the yard, from 15$ up to $2.50 Allovers to match. Persian Bands In great variety. Some in embroidered braid effects; priced at, the yard, up from v 75 Some in embroidered velvet effects; priced at, the yard, up from $1.00 Some Beautiful Embroidered Edges one half inch wide; priced at, the yard 75$ Some wider, priced at, the yard $1.00 New Laces ia. Persian Effects Priced at, the yard, up from 75$ Stunning New Spangled Trimmings, in black or white; priced at, the yd., up from 50 FASHION IN SMART AND Beautiful Neckwear First Floor. Newest Fancies in Windsor Ties Silk Windsor" Ties,' with large polka dots and borders to match dots; very swell, Jjrice, each , $1.25 Dotted Crepe Windsor Ties In all the new shades and black and -white: price, each v. i1.00 Very Beautiful and Dainty Eace OhamiMitec in a variety of different styles; all prices P to $5.00 Elegant Fjtather oas Every one made of t genuine ostrich feathers, in black, -white and colors; price, each, from $15.00 up to $50.00 "The Biliftreisi your boy? t S A. M. Overflow News of the Week's Doings at Portland's f orerrtost Store. Ton read yesterday's full page of sparkling news from the store Wasn't it brimful of interest? But a page couldn't hold it all there's more to tell yon this morning and mnch remains untold. Pome and let ns tell it to you here. Store gossip is full of intense interest these now Autumn days be sure you don't miss a bit. Of course the most important subject talked on now is Fashion. We believe with Fielding that Fashion is the great governor of the world. It presides not only in matters of dress and amusement, but in law, physics, politics, religion and all other things of the gravest hind. Indeed, the wisest men would be puzzled to give any better reason why particular forms in all these have been at certain times universally received, and at other times universally rejected, than that they were in or out of fashion. Hand in hand at this store, walk Quality and Price with Fashion. The highest quality with the lowest price. Come and MONDAY SPECIALS IN Housefurnishings Third Floor. Today -we open a new line of White China to be sold in sets or separate pieces, medium weight, neat shapes, strong and tough, equal to Havilahd China in looks, but stronger, less liable to break and about one half the price. Everything for the table. CLOCKS New black and antique finish Mantel Clocks; val. up from $3.75 New Gold Finish Clocks for all purposes, prices very reasonable. Good Nickel Alarm Clocks, spec, at 59 SALAD SETS 75c. New qldrblue Salad Sets, 13 pieces; special at, the set 75 AET CHINA. French, Austrian and Beleek Art China for decorating, thousands of articles to choose from, many new shapes and designs. SOUVENIR, CHINA 10c. Oregon, Portland and Fair illustrations, thousands to select from; values up from 10 LIBBEY'S OUT GLASS. The name Libbey on a piece of Cut Glass guarantees best quality of glass, perfect cutting and designs that reflect and give brilliancy. AMEBIC AN PORCELAIN DINNER SETS Dainty pink flower with green spray, full gold lined, fancy shapes 50-piece set, regular value $6.25; special, set $5.95 60-jDiecc set, regular value $S.35; special, set $6.70 100-piece set, regular value $12.45; special, set $9.85 - "COMFORT" AIR TIGHT WOOD STOVES. Made of sheet steel, something new, all parts made by machinery and dies, there fore, all parts are alike and fit perfectly. Top double seamed to body, no rivets, highly finished, pleasing and smooth in appearance. "QUICK STEEL HEATERS"- FOR COAL. The improved manner of attaching the top and bottom to the body makes it abso lutely air tight. Being made of heavy steel in place of cast iron, it becomes heated through quickly and radiates the heat into the room shortly after starting fire, thus saving coal. It presents a pleasing and smooth appearance and is a new feature in Heating Stoves. Wool Blankets Fourth-Floor Stores. A Great DIjilr of White and Colored "Wool Blanket. Just now is a kooJ time to put in a good supply of warm "Wool Blankets for Winter use. Our stocks are full and complete, and you can And here just what you need and must have. "White Wool Blankets, fine and superfine in quality, soft and warm; priced at, the pair, S4.56, 9G.eo, 9e.ee, sr-oo, arjso, f&so, fio.ee, 912-60, 915.ee te 933.96. Gray Wool Blankets, p'riced at, the pair, 94.ee, 9t.se, 9s.ee, 9&co, 94.00, 9j;o, 97.00, SCARLET WOOI, BLANKETS AT SPECIAL PRICES. Our 1500 value, special at, the pair.... 920 Our 6.(0 value, upecial at, the pair.... 3J5 Comforters "Warm, lisht Comforters, filled with pure white cottou. covered with pretty fancy fls- S&me as above but wool filled; priced at, each. 91-3. 9L99, 91.45, 91.75, 9B.00, 92.X5, 93.M. Same as above but wool filled; priced at ec, 94 t 99.ee. Real Eiderdown Filled Comforters; priced at. mcb, 99 1 Si?,2" FIfiii, Sixth and Washington SIfmIs THE FOREMOST DEPARTMENT HOUSE WEST OF OHIOAOO see. Fine Fail Millinery At Modest Prices "Bijou" Salons Annex, Second Floor. This store is famous for its handsome millinery, its elegance, refinement and ex clusiveness. While society leaders of wealth do not hestitate at the prices asked by some of the "exclusive" (?) millinery establish ments, all recognize that the intrinsic value of some hats never warrants their fancy prices. Any style can be and is copied after a short season. While in our own work rooms we copy many imported styles, our expert trimmers have a creative genius of their own and our millinery has a distinctive elegance that belongs to the store as much as does the building itself. Portland women await with eager interest the first showings of this great "Style Store." And the enthusiasm increases with each day as the season advances. This year our millinery folk have fairly outdone them selves in their magnificent and charming selections. The exclamations of delight and flattering encomiums that reach our ears daily are ample proof that the new hats have made a tremendous hit. Many of the styles are confined locally to this store,' and no other Portland house has the artists to suc cessfully copy them. "Cheap" stores are never allowed the selections we choose, but have to content themselves with our "dis cards" hats YOU certainly don't want. We invite your inspection today, whether you have buying in mind yet or not. Here are the correct and authoritative styles with no more to pay than you would be asked by stores of absolutely no standing in the style world, for inferior productions of question able parentage. Choose as you will. 93c to $50.00 Each You're sure of the best at any price. Royal Worcester CORSETS CORSET SALONS. Second Floor Annex. Come, see our showing of New Fall Models in Royal Worcester Corsets and "Bon Ton" and Sapphire Corsets. These all have the new, long-waist effect, long back and high bust. Be properly fitted in one of these models by one of our expert fitters before trying on new Fall gowns; or come in and get posted before buying. We will gladly show to you these new models and explain all the good points about them. They are priced at, each, from $1.25 up to $30 NEW IN INFANTS' AND CHILDREN'S WEAR In Baby-to-Miss Shop . Second Floor. Daily shipments ' bring us many new lines of In fants' and children's wear. Yesterday we received a large shipment of chil dren's Bonnets of silk, velvet, crushed plush and bearskin, in white and dainty, pretty colors, rich ly trimmed Vith furs, laces, chiffons and ribbons. They .come in many styles, conspicuous among which are the. full front, Dutch and French effects. Prices range from, each 25$ to $25.00 New Lines of I&fasts' Slipi, Simonas and Nightingales, fgy Rob, Bootees aad Baby Saakets. Sitre Clssss at $ 1 M, Flannelette Night ) Gowns FOR WOMEN AND, CHILDREN. Second Floor Jinnex. We are now showing a full linevo4 ladies' and children's Flannelette Gowns, in dainty stripes or plain blue, pink or white. They are prettily fashioned and finished with cord, frogs, braid, silk floss and lace. Ladies' Gowns are priced, each, " from 65 up to $2.25 Children's Gowns Priced according to size, at, each 50c to 85$ PETTICOATS FOR LADIES. We have, juat received another large ship ment of ladies' black and colored Petticoats in all the newest arfd best styles, in regular sizes. We also have a full line of these Peticoats in extra large sizes SEE THEM. FOR HOUSEWrVES-GREAT GOOD NEWS SPECIAL SALE OF Irish Point Lace Fourth Floor. Irish Point Lace Curtains, about 25 different J? styles to select from; with from two to 36 tt pairs of a kind in the lot. Most of these cur- tains are samples, or curtains that have been 9 used for display and are slightly soiled or mussed from handling1. We place them on sale J for one week" only at big- reductions. a Our $3.50 values, special at, the pair.... 92.00 Our 4.50 values, special at, the pair.... 2.50 J J Our 5.00 values,, special at. the pair. . . . 2.75 Our 6.00 values, special at,, the pair.... 35 Our 7.59 values, special at, the pair. . , 4.00 m e Our 8.50 values, special at, the pair.... 4.50 Our 10.00 values, special at. the pair.... 5.00 J J Our 12.0 J values, special at, the pair.... 6.00 Our 15.80 values, special at. the pair.... 7.50 Our 20.00 values, special at, the pair. .. .10.00 The Olds, Wortman & King Sewing Machines Are Unequaled. Free Embroidery Lessons Given in the :Art Stitchery Shop," Second Floor Annex: New in Art Goods For Fancy Work J Art Shop Second Floor, Annex. T?ou will now want to start in on your fancy work for the holidays and we are fully equipped in every line and can furnish you with anything you may want. - We are pleased to have ladies visit our Art Shop and examine all the new things in fancy work. One of the newest things in embroidery is the Hedebrq work. We have a fine showing of Cushion Tops J J and White Linen, stamped in new and hand some designs. All kinds ofNew, "Fancy Braids and Point Lace Patterns. ( We are headquarters, -for Brafnard & 'Armstrong's Embroidery Silks the finest made, uniform in, shading and fast color. Free Embroidery Lew cms Given. Daily. -2s-' WO 9 9 o 0 9 r... ,.....,