New-York tribune., 1920-12-19
Maternity Bill
Women Backed
Passes Senate
Measure Provides for Pro-
lection of Infancy by Co.
operation of the. States
With Federal Government
Several Changes Made
New Voters Say Action
Will Pave Way for More
Laws Along Same Lines

From The Trtbunc's Woshincton Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. l8.-A bill pro-
vdM ing for protection for maternity
and infancy, the first measure eX
pressing the views of organized women
Of the country since they exercised
passed the United States Senate this
afternoon with numerous changes and
amendments.
Although the supporters Of the bill
passed and feel that the measure has
been somewhat mutlated. they are
pleased that bill went through, be-
cause the passage of the measure is
he foundation for further work and
legislation along these lines.
The bill, which provides method
of cooperation between the Federal
government and the several states, was
.lrst introduced in the Senate by Scna-
tor Sheppard in October. 1918 Last
June it was reported by Senator
France, and three days ago it was
brought up again by the Senator from
Maryland.
Changes Are Made
One of the most important changes
was that made in the appropriation re-
quested The original bill stipulate ]
an Appropriation of $4S0,OO0 each year,
$4,000 to be paid annually to each
,+oto ond on add;+ orol cur, of 60 0OO
100 for the first year, to be apportloned
among thesstates in proportion to their
population. provided that no payment
cut OF this additional appropriation be
had appropriated an equal sum for the
same purpose. The first appropriation
If $4SOOO0 was allowed to stand, but
the additional sum was reduced to
$1,OO0,OO0. This however, in view Of
the present state of the Treasury, was
regarded by those supporting the bill
as fairly satisfactory.
Another important change in the
measure is regarded by many of the
bills Supporters as an Improvement.
The original plan called for Federal
board of maternal and infant hygiene
consisting of the Secretary of Labor,
he chief of the Children's Bureau, the
surgeon General of the Public Health
Service and the United States Com
missioner of Education An amend
ment was passed charging the chief
If the Children's Bureau Of the De-
partment of Labor, acting through the
Childrens Bureau, with the carrying
out of the provisions of the act. The
chief of the Children's Bureau is
uthorzed to form an advisory COM
nittee consisting Of the other officers
lamcd for the board in the original
lraft.
Upon it's introduction into the Senate
this time the bill carried change from
is draft as made originally, to the ef-
ect that the cooperative work in pro-
noting the care Of maternity and in
'ancy should consist of instruction in
the hygiene of maternity and infancy
through public health nurses, consulta-
ion centers and other suitable meth
Ids. 1t also carried provision of medi-
cal and nursing care for mothers and
infants at home and at hospital when
necessary.
Original Plan Substituted
This new section was stricken out
and the original plan put in it's place,
namely, that any state desiring to avail
itself of the benefits of the act submit
detailed plans to the Chidrens Bureau,
and these plans should include the pro-
visions Of the state for administration
Of the act, the provision Of instruction
in hygiene through public health
nurses consultation centers. The pro-
vision Of medical and nursing care for
mothers and infants at home or at a
ios0ital was st uck out
"a rfoiY oc
Yio
voters rs q suggested plank in the
p4aO1o4 Ill OF b.. ..-..-.,- 4...., .:..,.
summer. An effort has been made to
get the measure throrch the short
session Of Congress so that the matter
can go to state legislators meeting
this winter The measure requires CO.
operation on the part of the several
states through leg islation. Much the
same situation holds with regard to
the operation of the bill that Vas met
in the suffragists' fight to get the
Federal amendment passed two wears
ago so that it might go to the State
Legislature in their regular sessions
in 1919.
Mrs. Maud Wood Park, chairman of
the National League Of Women Voters,
was in the Senate gallery part Of the
afternoon, but had to leave just few
minutes before the measure was
passed Jeanette Rankin, formerly
Congrcsswoman from Montana, now
field secretary for the Consumers
League was also one of the persons
interested in the measure. Miss Ran
kin was in the gallery at the time the
bill passed.