The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-02


and by their example nave enforced GUS
toms which protect womannood itself.
/ know full we'll that there are women
who insist that women shall be treated
upon the same basis that men are treat
ed They would have right to take
this position in their own behalf. but l
insist that all true Americans must in
sist that 40 woman speaks for herself
alone She is the possessor of our flu
ture and though she becomes engaged
IN the tasks and services OF clviliza-
ton, we must preserve to her the right
OF wholesome maternity
1--WE no longer are speaking of a
small group Twelve million women in
the United States 40 per cent. of them
between fifteen and twenty years or age.
are engaged In paid occupations or pro-
LESSONS Such an army of potential
maternity demands from America careful
and adequate protection in the condi-
tions which surround their labors. For
such an army there must be an increasing
enlightenment IN industry and business
which will tend to break down distnc-
lions of sex in matters OF remuneration
and establish equal pay for equal work.
The needs of such an army. engaging in
the tasks of America, probably cannot
be understood by men alone. In the adj
ministration of Federal and State laws
and in the educational services which
will assist industry and the public and
the women themselves to understand the
needs of women we will require the SER
vices OF the most capable women we can
get upon Federal and State boards of
employment, labor adjustment and in
deed, wherever the welfare of maternity
and the welfare of American childhood,
directly or remotely, are involved.
Regulate Hours of Labor.
There is a growing and probably
wise sentiment in America in favor
Of an eight hour day everywhere for
women The Federal Government has
set the example in a policy which looks
toward the protection of our best human
Yesources. Justice and American stand
ards demand that women who are en-
ployed should be paid a living wage.
and it is entirely unfair to the State
which fulfils its obligations to humanity
n any piece Of humanitarian legislation
9ffecting industry that other States, by
failing to perform their obligation. gain
temporary advantage in costs of pro-
duction. I believe that one of the prin-
cipal functions of the department of
public welfare will be to enlighten and
educate local action, so that we may
have throughout our States an increas-
ing sense of obligation to meet a ma
tional standard of social justice.
81 desire particularly to emphasize
the need OF safeguarding the prosperity
Of the American farmer. so that he may
compete with industry In obtaining labor
/ am hearing constantly voices raised in
tthaf of the women in industry I de-
sire to raise mine now in behalf of the
Go,
y no in the labor shortage of, this year
have gone into the fields--youne girls
and old womer-to give a service which.
If 1t had not been given, would have
deprived US this year of an adequate
food supply. There must be labor, nor
NAL labor, available to farm as well as
factory.
zone of the important organizations
| under q department of public welfare
might well be the children's bureau
which now exists, but whose work. al
ready proved so useful, must be extend
ed and made still more capable of edu
| eating and assisting in prenatal care
and early infancy. 1t is for us grim
| jest indeed, that the Federal Govern
ment is spending twice as much money
! fer the suppression of hog cholera as it
| spends for its entire programme for the
! welfare of the American child.
! The Right to Childhood.
1--WE are not doing, however, enough
| FOR the future citizens of America If
we allow women to inture. by industry
/ or ignorance, their maternity, or IL VIC
| GLOW infancy itself to go unprotected
! from disease and unlntelligence. Among
sixteen important countries of the
world. thirteen show lower death rate
/ for mothers than does the United
I States. and six show lower death rate
| for very young children. Nearly a
| quarter of a million babies-practically
a number equal to the entire casualty
list of our men in the great war-die
! every year.
| ut will not he the America we love
which will neglect the American mother
and the American child. The programme
to prevent abuses Of child labor. already
greatly advanced by Republican efforts.
represents the progress Of legislation to-
ward wise prevention. which will receive
the sanction of constitutional law. When
we first legislated to remedy the abuses
Of child labor. approximately one out of
| FIVE children between the ages of 10 and
/