The Robesonian

ADMITTED TO BIRTH
REGISTRATION AREA
Complete Birth Reporting Necessary
--Admitted as Third Southern State.
State Board of Health Bulletin.
That North Carolina has been admitted to the birth registration area of the United States, beginning January 1, 1917, and is admitted as the thirteenth State in the Union and one of three Southern States is according to a letter received yesterday by Dr. W. S. Rankin, Secretary of the State Board of Health, from Sam L. Rogers, director of the Federal Census Bureau.
The letter reads: "It gives me great pleasure to inform you that North Carolina measured well over 90 per cent and has been admitted to the registration area for births for the year 1917. A detailed report of the test will be sent you shortly. "Our special agents have returned from North Carolina and have nothing but glowing accounts to give of the cordial reception given them and of the efficiency of your registration system."
This means, according to the State Board of Health, that North Carolina is reporting all, or at least over 90 per cent, of her births and that her birth statistics as well as her death statistics will be accepted by the United States and foreign governments.
For the past month two special agents from the Federal Census Department officially inspected the completeness of the birth reporting made to the Vital Statistics Department of the Board and found that the State was not only reporting far above the required percentage, but that the work was done most efficiently.
The other States that have preceded North Carolina into the birth registration area are the six New England States, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia and Kentucky. The latter two were admitted this year.
Another letter to Dr. Rankin from the Census Department, this from William H. Davis, chief statistician, says: "Heartiest congratulations upon your admission to the registration area for births. Such glowing accounts have been received of the splendid work you are doing in the way of prosecutions that I wish you would send me copies of the two warning letters which you send out before prosecution, and in fact, I would like very much a brief outline of the method you employ, so that I can pass along to some of the other States which are a bit reluctant to prosecute, a story of your success."