Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-10
MRS. FRANK MILES DAY
On Women and LEGISLATION

TTNlIE women of Pennsylvania should pay
i the strictest attention to the program of
coming state legislation, according to Mrs.
Frank Miles Day. vice chairman Of the
Legislative committee of State Federation of
Pennsylvania Women.
Much of the legislation, especially that
applying to housing. prohibit ion or "dura-
tional questions, will very closely concern
in the opinion of Mrs. Day, who out lines
program of much needed laws for the Stat"
Legislature to consider. \ definite budgcl
system, such as the city of Philadelphia has
and the federal government plans, is one of
the requisites of the state government, NC-
cording to Mrs. Day.
1T would be a pleasure t" Write Of ,h, lhr
throughout the state; their part played in
the passage Of laws for the projection Of
heralded work, obstructing the making Of
laws 10 lessen that protection. 1t will b.
remembered it was the women $ clubs that
practically put through the legislation for
the village for feeble minded women at Iau
relton, the industrial home for women, and
the mothers assistance act Each Legislative
year II becomes the duty of the clubs to bring
these subjects again before the Assembly and
TO obtain sufficient appropriations to carry
them on.
'"The women in the 400 clubs in the state.
nearly GO. 900 members in all. feel their duty
thoroughly in that matter, but not to the
exclusion Of other and newer legislation.
This year TIE fact that those 60 900 members
ure all voters makes them newly interested
in what their representatives. at Harrisburg
nre doing: and II works the other way, too.
Those representatives, are deeply interested
in what the women want of them and it be.
'hooves every woman in the state to make
clear her desires, for she can obtain them if
only she Will speak loudly enough.
Doesn't Mean Offices and Jobs
''By these desires do not mean Offices or
positions on stat" or county boards or COM
missions. There are comparatively few
women ready to hold office, and where there
are efficient women the office will seek them
out. We should stand for efficiency in office,
not for woman just because she is Il
woman.
~ am thinking, however. about desire
for legislation that will better the living con
ditions OF the peopl" Of III" state; for good
state and municipal housekeeping. in other
words. The women are naturally deeply In
trrcStcd i'll housing legislation. n higher
standard Of construction, Il higher standard
of Inspection and financial arrangements
making possible loans Of money TO builders
to erect the houses so badly needed.
9TH" educational program of the Stata su .
p"rlntrnurnt, i'r. fln"gan, is Of the highest
importanc" {" al mothers. Ills demands for
longer school year, higher salaries for
appropriations; but must be met somehow II
our children are to be well taught and Our
standards upheld.
Careful Financing Needed
'All these matters requiring increased an .
preparations mean careful financial manage
mrnt Of state nOncyS--iucreaSrd taxation
possibly, and II budget. As women know
we'll the Importance of purtioniug out the
home income, 50 they should ask loudly and
inSistently for II definite apportionmrnt OF
state incOme-not the haphazard appropria .
tOu method Of times pHSt.
Our city has budget net in the charter .
the United States Government viii have n
budget before this Congress adjourus. md
PrnuSy lvana must come up to the standurI
'Perhaps the most important thing in rio
eyes Of many women Is the n"crasit, for The
enforcement Of the eighteenth amendment
Tkut prohibition is not enforced is NOT aItn
gcther dd" to the national government II
ran only enforce federal law by tho f,I.ro
| inspectors and the federal courts. OF wIi,T
! There are but three in the state. WLot T.
| needed j. an enforcement act in Pcnusyjvnnio
! puitug the matter under the state and ,,it "
| nilciuS and courts and the rcImnl nf H.
| BROOKS nigh license law, Such a bjU !. ~"
| ready drafted and will Dc introduced immn-
! G'atrly after the recess Of the IrpsIntmr,
| The former attorney general. uuE Iu,tirc
| Srhucffcr. Is very keen about il T,ns,n,,
| and the new attorney general, Allrr. - ni
! the same opinion.
| 1T remains for tn" women of the ,toto ,,t
| WIatcv.r ciuD "r a,s0r,ai1u ~ ~ ~ u
f.,.,1 .r sr '..'.....-. - 3, .....,. 81