The evening world., 1920-12-11
First Bill Presented Since Suf-
frage Came Deals With
Maternity Problems.
CONGRESS TAKES IT UP.
Lack of Care at Birth Caused
Death of 100000 Infants
Last Year.
By Dapid Laurence.
Especial Correspondent OF The Ev,
nina Worldl

on Election Day she paved the way
for the adoption OF a piece OF legis-
lation that win do more for the home
perhaps than any one law in Ameri.
can history.
Next week Congress will consider
the first legislative proposal made
by the women of America since uni
versal suffrage was granted Not
only have the women done tho unpre-
cedented thing of asking for a rela-
lively Insignificant appropriation
only $4,000. .oOO-but they have
pointed out how that $4,000, 900 can
be Of as much or more benefit 10
the American Nation as any other
$4,000, 900 In the whole Federal budget
Of $4,000 100000.
Briefly, the women ask that the
Federal Government, in cooperation
with the States OF the Union, shall
educate young mothers in the mater
nifty period 30 that they will not only
have the proper knowledge of hy-
giene before and after the birth OF
their children but in needy cases
nurses and physicians shall be ready
to come TO their aid instantly.
10000 INFANTS LOST A MONTH
IN UNITED STATES.
Not only have some pitiful cases Of
neglect in country districts, especially
come to the attention of the women
who have Investigated these ques-
tions but statistics show that Am
erica lost 100000 infants last year or
a total of 10000 a month, most Of
whom might have been saved by
proper attention In 1918, $4,000
mothers died from causes that could
have been prevented. Fully 80 per
cent of the cases Investigated in dif-
ferent States show that lack OF care
was the principal reason for death.
America has been far behind in this
kind of social legislation. The
United States stands fourteenth in
the list OF civilized countries which
have taken up the problem. New
Zealand, which has had Woman Suf-
frage longer than any other country,
stands at the top OF the list and has
greatly reduced her infant mortality.
Great Britain also has been in the
front rank dn this movement.
The Sheppard -Towner Bill, pre-
pared by Senator Sheppard OF Texas,
a Democrat, and Representative
Towner of Iowa, a Republican, would
appropriate 100000 at first, but
with a provision to increase II an
nually till 1t reaches Sl,o00,O0O and
the States OF the Union would be
asked to appropriate dollar for dollar
in the same way that the Federal
Government and the States have CO.
J operated in building roads. II Is not
compulsory State may decline &c
cooperate. but probably not many Of
them will refuse.
, BILL TO GET PROMPT ATTEN.
TIoN IN SENATE.
The Senate Committee on Public
, Health has reported the bill favoraDlS
and Senator Kenyon, who has charge
J of the agricultural bill being discussed
, in the Senate, has promised to CIV,
, way for consideration OF the Towncr.
Sheppard measure so that II viii get
prompt attention.
! The women insist that unless theJ
= get action this session, preferabi,
0 next week, there will not be anothe
, opportunity to get the matter befor,
. various State Legislatures until 1872
3 as some of them meet only once ever,
I two years, and usually during Janu
= AIRY and February, 50 that postpone
J. ment OF this subject until the extr
session OF Congress in the spnn
would be hurtful to the cause.
!, The women leaders declare tina
$50. 900 deaths d. too much TO alloy
=, delay--it is three times the num0e
OF casualties on the American batti
:, front during the war. And therefor
the leaders in the movement are nc
= disposed to brook indefinite delay
a When women were enfranchise
,f and the activities OF the Sufrrag
4. Oeaders were recognized us havln
+ come TO an end, everybody wondere
w. an what direction the energies
ir these leaders would 60 Eleven ma
ne GionAl women's organizations hay
3 Joined together. and with Joint leg
- Islative committee here, they haN
o. quietly polled members OF the Ser
e. ate and House and explained the d,
20 tails OF the measure.
's. Some Congressman were hesltaI
at first. thinking the attention OF pul
lic nurses might be forced upon Il
people, but II was explained thu
there were thousands OF poor peop
es who would be glad TO get any sort
ck attention, and that in no case WI
nd II compulsory that aid be accepted
all The catholic Welfare Societies Al
~ the welfare organizations OF 9th
'sS 0urches are behind the bill, and &
or. Unils in Congress show tnat n will pa
ty an overwhelming vote. 1t Is