The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1921-11-30
Save-The-BdbieS
Bill Operating
Minnesota Ready to Get Results
When Presid ent Harding
Signs Maternity Bill.

When Presto 1nt HARDING
Signs Maternity Bill.
The federal maternity bill, :
backed by women's organizations
all over the country, and design
ed to safeguard mothers and ex-
pectant mothers, chiefly through
educational methods, Saturday
became effective in Minnesota,
following it's signature in Wash
ington by President Harding.
Minnesota was one of six
states that enacted legislation
accepting the terms of the bill in
advance Of its passage by con-
gress. E
But the 1921 legislature,
which took this action, failed to
make the necessary appropria-
tion so, for the time being, the
new law gives this state only
$4,000 to carry on the contem-
plated work.
U. S. to Match State Appropriations
Under the law, the govern
ment will match, dollar for dol
lar, all money appropriated by
the state for this work.
The League of Women Voters,
the Child Welfare association,
federated women's clubs and
other organizations of women
were active in pressing for the
maternity legislation, both from
state and nation.
Because the Minnesota law
carried no appropriation, women
will urge that the next legisla-
ture make such an appropriation,
provided that the experiment
proves successful as worked out
with the first federal allotment,
Miss Wells said. The federal
bill provides that the federal
government, in addition to
straight aid. shall match equally
whatever appropriations the &C
cepting states make for mothers
education work.
Minnesota is one of six states
to which the federal aid-becomes
immediately available. The $10,-
600 which will be Minnesota S
share Of the federal aid, will be
devoted principally to education
Miss Wells said. Under the Min
nesota law, the state board OF
health will have determination
of the manner in which the
money will be spent.
The money now available to
Minnesota from the United
States will probably be used fol
maternity education in rural
rather than in city districts, Miss
Eve l.. Anderson, head Of the
Minneapolis Visiting Nurses.
said last night. Minneapolis and
the other large municipalities al
ready spend sums on maternity
instruction and guidance large
enough so that their share OF
$4,000 would make, relatively
little difference. In rural dis
tricts, on the other hand, the
funds received will make possi-
BILE institution of this work fol
the first time, in many cases
without waiting for the legisla-
tlire to act.
What Law Provides
Minnesota's law, under which
the federal funds will be distri-
buted, provides that the state
Doard of health may provide
instruction and advice to expect
ant mothers during pregnance
and their infants after child
birth, and employ persons neces.
sary to carry out the require.
meats Of this act"
It provides also that womer
shall not be affected in their civi
or political rights by accepting
the maternity aid and that the
identity Of the recipients shall
not be disclosed. The state act
furthermore, authorizes making
Investigations and recommends
tions for the purpose Of improv
ing maternity care, accepts tht
provisions Of the federal act
which was then anticipated, ant
empowers and directs the state
board of health to co-operatt
with the federal children's
bureau to carry out the purposes
of the act.