The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-12-13
WOMEN DIFFER
ON MARRIAGE
REFORM BILL
Los Angeles Proposal Is Not In
dOrsed in San Fran
cisco
Several See Possibilities of
Harm in Issuance of Book
of Instructions
One Local Club Leader Regards
Plan as Joke on the
Southern w. c. T. u.

There be modern novels and problem
plays. Eugene societies and the edi-
tcrials in the Ladies Home Journal
for the enlightenment Of young and old
as 70 the mystery OF our being. and
these would seem enough, in all con-
science, but now the Women's Chris
tan Temperance Union OF southern
california has come 10 the fore 70
make It matter Of law that there be
as well educational marriage reform
bills"
Through the president OF their or
Eanization in Los Angeles, Mrs. Hester
Griffith. a proposal has been made to
the legislators OF their district 10 put
through this bill. which reads as fol-
lows.
The state board Of health shall
issue a book OF Instructions regard
ing the physiological and psyche
logical laws Of nature which gov
ern parents. A copy Of said book
Of instructions shall be given. free
Of charge, 10 each couple with the
marriage license. Others may pur-
chase copies OF the same on appli-
cation.
A group Of women VIII be in Sacra-
mento when the legislature convenes
70 urge the passage Of this measure
but there are few signs apparent that
The movement 70 make II a law viii
be a popular one among the olubwomen
~ the state. or even among the mem
bers Of the temperance union.
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION
From Miss Anna Chase. state CORE
spending secretary OF the ". C. T. L,
and Mrs. NJ F. Guey state secretary
for the young peoples organization. the
Loyal Temperance Legion, slightly diff
fe-ent opinions were expressed on the
subject yesterday
Miss Chase said that although she
had heard nothing OF the proposed bill.
she was sure il was q good thing
and would receive the support of the
members Of the organization here. No
ofHcial communication had been re-
ccfved from southern California bearing
on H. Miss Chase was positive. as il
would Of necessity have been sent TO
her.
~It would be a good thing. I be-
lIeve" she said, although IL might be
very expensive getting out so many Of
these books: stfIl 81 would be cheaper
than the cost Of the result OF crimes
committed through ignorance We viii
have a representariTe at the legislature,
but we have not been asked 70 aid any
bills
NOT TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT
Mrs. GIIey explains that the officers
Of the W C. T. L who are promulgating
the marriage reform bill are the Of
ricials Of the California south state dis
rrict, formed OF the six southern eoun-
ties
This state Mrs. Giley said, lis one
politically but two as regards the ".
@ T. L This is emphatically not a W
C. T. Z. movement was present al
both the state and national conventions
and heard OF nothing remotely bearing
on marriage reform
Mrs. Griffith, the southern president
has been interested in prison work
lines Of hereditary influence and purity
subjects. and this has undoubtedly de-
veIoped from that OF course, they have
q perfect right 70 take up any matter
they desire. but has no official stand
ing as q W. c. 7. Z. movement.
i don't think We could indorse Il
here without some education on the
matter, as I don't feel that we know
enough about IL"
There has been buzz Of discussion
regarding the proposed bin. and there
IS q tendency either 10 condemn II
heartily or 10 probe q little deeper into
the exact nature OF the instruction i'm
parted IN the little volume TO be sent
out BY the board OF health
POSSIBILITIES FOR HARM
Mrs. Arthur Cornwall, one Of the lead
ing clubwomen OF the city. has this L
say.
1t is something new TO me-this ides
Of making laws on such subjects.
could give no opinion without seeing
the book that IS TO be issued There
are SO many things TO be considered
and certainly one could not advocate
presenting young people with book.
dealing with matters in which lie such
possibilities for harmful instruction
who viii compile these rules? Medica
rneng 7 suppose they would. as il IS Il
come from the board Of health I mus
saw I've seen some doctors whose chill.
.dren were anything but perfect hearC
this subject mentioned the other day IT
Oakland, but having produced no lido
children myself felt no particular in.
terest in it must say that I SHOULD
ike 10 see the DOCK o. IAlESs the PEG
ple who compile them and also theil
children before could indorse any such
movement
SHOULD KNOW MORE
DR.. Minora Kibbe said: Il think PEG.
Die who intend TO marry should know
more than they do at present, but
doubt II this is the right way to teacl
them. Much would depend on what
was IN the book and how II was pre-
pared
Il can imagine a book that would
be perfectly proper and suitable. but
n IS z question as TO whether such z
one would be forthcoming.
81 must say that ! don't see the ad-
vantage Of issuing such book and IL
reality I doubt If 1t would be read
The necessary knowledge should bs
taught in the public schools. but thai
would. Of course, be impossible under
present conditions. can imagine ar
ideal public school system IN which
everything might be easily and vel
taught"
Mrs. J. W Orr, formerly president Of
~ California club and one Of the best
known members Of the national or