Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-24

wear 1926. Thereafter S4.OOO,OO0
would be appropriated annually for
the mothers and infants welfare.
This is considered by many members
of House and Senate mere drop In
! the bucket compared with the great
sums that should be expended an
nually by the Federal government
for the care of mothers and children.
because this care will benefit the
whole American race. and make for
the greater health, happiness, well
fare and prosperity of the people OF
the United States.
In addition to the appropriations
provision is made for the Federal
Government to give a general course
of instruction to mothers who are
expecting child birth. and also in
structions in the care of infants.
Truly a great and noble undertaking,
worthy of the support of every man
who calls himself an American.
The bill provides for close coopera-
ton of the states with the Washing
ton government.
Hearings on the measure will be
held by the House Committee on In
terstate and Foreign Commerce,
probably before January l. if not be-
fore that date soon after the Christ
mas recess of Congress. After the
House hearings and passage by the
House, for it is not doubted that the
House will pass the bill, the Senate
TO finish the legislation before this
session adjourns next March.
Many congressman arc beginning
to believe that House and Senate pay
too much attention to appropriations
for live stock, farming, labor, and the
Army and Navy, and too little to
those things like infancy and mater
nifty, which strike at the roots Of
family life in this country. A senti-
ment is growing that more attention
should be given measures like the
Sheppard Towner bill.
Other measures along similar lines
are now planned by various con-
gressmen.
/ One of the most powerful Hobbies
that Washington has ever seen is
now at work for the measure. Prac-
tically all of the largest women's
organizations in the country have
representatives here who are urging
Congressman to pass the Sheppard
Towner bill. The Chicago and San
Francisco conventions endorsed the
bill in their platforms. consequently
the women are now calling on House
and Senate members of both parties
to make good on the campaign
pledge.
The women's lobby is working on
the theory that the bill can be put
through Congress at this session, but
there is some doubt of that being
done because of shortness of the ses-
sion. From everything that could be.
learned today regarding the prospects
of passage of the bill it seems that
sssiSTs Is some doubt that it can be
enacted into law until the next Con-
gress.
Thousands Of letters, however, are
now pouring in on Congress urging
passage Of the bill at this session.
These communications are being
backed up by the agents Of the wo-
mems organizations.
From investigation in government
departments today 1t was learned
that more than 100000 American wo-
men die each year in childbirth. This
is an appalling record. 1t is believed
by congressman and officials of the
Public Health Service that the Shep-
pard-Towner bill, when enacted into
law, would reduce this terrible NOR
tally to practically the vanishing
point. or to where the deaths, prac-
tically every one OF which is caused
by lack of knowledge or suitable
medical attention. would be reduced
to very small number annually.
Louis Bouwmeestcr. 70 years old. a