Noyes: Development 
ity among the remaining worthy strains. 
It may and should do much to arouse 
public opinion to support measures di- 
rected toward the building of a sounder, 
saner, more enlightened race. 
Note A 
A great step toward the solution of the 
problems of the care and training of chil- 
dren under school age would be taken, if 
there could be a development of the creche 
or day nursery as a department in our public 
school system, in such a way that young chil- 
dren could be cared for for an hour or for 
the day. 
A training school for trained mothers’ as- 
sistants could be developed in connection 
with the creche, with a force of doctors, 
nurses, kindergartners and child psychologists 
to instruct in the care and feeding of infants 
as well as their physical and mental develop- 
ment, by games, exercises, stories etc. The 
trained mothers’ assistant would not be a 
governess, trained nurse, or kindergartner, 
but would partake a little of all three, so as 
to be thoroughly competent to care for 
healthy children under school age. 
It would be an advantage if the course of 
study could be standardized by the Board of 
Regents and a diploma awarded. Thus a new 
and dignified profession for women would be 
developed. 
If this course should be given in an inter- 
mediate year between grammar and high 
school, every girl leaving school would have 
a legitimate means of earning a livelihood, 
and the plan would have a far-reaching effect, 
not only in better care of the babies of this 
and the next generations, but it might aid 
in the solution of social problems as well. 
No te B 
See, “Financial Cost of Rearing a Child” 
by Wm. F. Ogburn, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics in the “Report of the Children’s 
of Useful Citizenship 91 
Bureau Conferences May and June 1919.” 
Bureau Publication No. 60, p. 26. 
Note C 
One firm in Central New York has insti- 
tuted what is called the High Cost of Living 
Wage Plan after considerable study and 
investigation. They put the following plan 
into effect in January 1917 after a liberal 
raise in wages had already taken place. 
They selected Bradstreet’s Index Number 
as a basis for calculations, as that figure 
formed as it is from the average of 100 
commodity values, such as a ton of coal and 
a bushel of potatoes, corresponds closely to 
the actual changes in living expenses and 
does not make sudden, large fluctuations. 
The increase during the previous year was 
determined, and a 1 to 20 ratio adopted so 
that the percentage for the H. C. L. wage 
would increase or decrease 1% for each 
20-point change in the Bradstreet number, 
or 44% for each 5-point change; the changes 
being made monthly and the Index Number 
for the preceding month being used through- 
out the month following. The extra wages 
were given in a separate envelope known as 
the High Cost of Living Envelope, the 
regular wages being given as usual in an- 
other. 
The percentage of extra wages received 
was 16% in Jan. 1917. From this point it 
gradually, but steadily rose until it reached 
43% in August, 1918, which was the highest 
point for 1918. The fluctuations during 1919 
have been from 3334% in April to 48%4% in 
December. 
The index number being determined by a 
firm entirely outside of the company is a 
factor to be considered from its psychologic 
bearing, as the company itself cannot be 
held responsible for the fluctuations. 
Although this plan, in its entirety, may 
not be adapted to all forms of business, still, 
it may be of interest to note that in practice 
it fully equalled anticipation, and its justice 
is unquestioned. 
INHERITANCE, by Whitfield G. Howell. 
Pp. 190. Boston: The Roxburgh 
Publishing Co., Inc., 1919. 
It is difficult to say anything for Mr. 
Howell except that most damaging oi 
all compliments, that “he meant well.” 
He has written a novel to convey to 
the public the supposed truths of 
heredity. But almost everything he 
tells about heredity is incorrect. ‘The 
book has, moreover, little literary merit. 
