4 HARRY H. LAUGHLIN 



"Human and Comparative Heredity," under the secretaryship of Dr. Helen 

 Dean King. It presented on the one hand the results of research in the 

 domain of pure genetics in animals and plants, and on the other, studies 

 in human heredity. 



Section II on "Eugenics and the Family" was under the secretaryship of 

 Dr. Howard J. Banker. This section considered factors which influence 

 the human family, the control of such factors, the relation of fecundity of 

 different strains and families, and the question of social and legal control 

 of such fecundity. It considered also the differential mortality of the 

 eugenically superior and inferior stocks and the influence upon such mor- 

 tality of special factors, such as war and epidemic and endemic diseases. 



Section III, "Human Racial Differences," with Dr. Clark Wissler, Secre- 

 tary, concerned itself with racial differences, with the sharp distinction 

 between racial characteristics and unnatural associations often created by 

 political and national boundaries. 



Section IV, with Dr. Louis I. Dublin, Secretary, was named "Eugenics 

 and the State." This section covered studies on certain practical applica- 

 tions of eugenic research and the value of such findings to morals, to educa- 

 tion, to history, and to the various social problems and movements of the 

 day. 



In each section were presented carefully worked out facts and the immedi- 

 ate and practical conclusions to which they lead. Special stress was laid 

 on the results of experimental and statistical research. 



The design of the Congress was to advocate no revolutionary changes, 

 but to discuss the whole subject of pure and applied eugenics fairly and 

 temperately in such a manner as to make clear the beneficent effects of the 

 application of eugenic standards among men and women, as man has long 

 since learned to apply them to the improvement of races of animals and 

 plants. Because of the devastating effects of the war, the Second Congress 

 met at a time of exceptional interest, and the need of international coopera- 

 tion and enlightenment was being felt. 



The Eugenics Exhibition, organized by Dr. Harry H. Laughlin, and 

 presented concurrently with the Congress, was of such a nature that the 

 man of ordinary intelligence and education, but without special scientific 

 training, could readily comprehend and appreciate it. It was divided into 

 five groups as follows: Group I, "Heredity"; Group II, "The Human 

 Family"; Group III, the "Factor of Race"; Group IV, "Applied Eugenics"; 

 Group V, "Special Institutions and Methods"." 



An Interim Committee, to promote eugenics in America and to gain 

 widespread cooperation, was appointed by the President of the Second 



