No 'Race Suicide' in the United States, July 2, 1919

From the New Orleans Times-Picayune, as reprinted in the Hickory Daily Record, July 2, 1919

No Race Suicide in America

The census report on vital statistics, births and deaths for 1917, the midyear just issued shows that the United States has fared well as compared with the rest of the world. While nearly all the rest of the European countries, certainly those engaged in war, have shown a marked increase in the death rate, a reduction in the number of births and an actual loss of population covering a period of four years, this country reports marked improvement. There is evidently no race suicide in America, and the population is increasing by natural growth, by the excess of births over deaths. We are not dependent upon immigration for growth, and the facts brought out by the census may have influence on Congress in considering legislation on this subject.

As it is, the report is most encouraging, showing a steady reduction in the death rate, not only in the aggregation, but proportionately. The rate for the year was 14.1 per 1,000. The improvement is illustrated by the figures given for previous years. In 1910, a rate of 15 per 1,000; in 1900, 17.6; 1890, 19.6; and 1880, 19. There has been a slight check during recent years, and the health record of 1915 will probably not be equaled for some time. Last year, with our influenza epidemic, is certain to make a bad showing.

The number of births for the registration area was 1,353,792, and estimating for the rest of the land at the same rate, there were 2,135,658 babies born in the United States in 1917.