The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1921-08-04
WOMAN OBJECTS TO
MATERNITY BILLS

er maternity bill as class legislation
of SEX" and describing 1t as potent
with "paternalistic possibilities of in
calculable danger" Miss Alice Robert
son. Oklahoma, only woman member
of Congress- In an exclusive interview
in the Washington Herald, makes an
appeal to the American woman
voter" to oppose 1t.
The significance of Miss Robert
sons attitude Is best understood
when Il is remembered that the Shep-
pard-Towner bill Is the one piece of
Legislation upon which is concentrated
the full strength of the woman suf-
frage organizations. and which was
to have been the monument to mark
the victory OF suffrage
According to other members of
Congress. who were shown the state
ment, Miss Robertson's action marks
a definite line of cleavage between
the lady from Oklahoma and the
suffrage organizations. and indicates
that she has thrown down the chal-
lenge to battle. The statement fol-
lows:
Miss RObertson's statement
ITO the American woman voter, as
an individuals:
ION July %. by vote of sixty-three
to seyen-twenty-si senators absent
the United States senate passed the
bill variously known as the baby"
the maternity" or the Sheppard
Towner" bill. The bill is now pend
Ing consideration in the House. Its
supporters assert that 1t has the undi-
vided support of the woman voters of
America.
Il was one OF those millions of con-
servative. home-loving women, who
never asked TO vote. who dreaded new
and heavy responsibilities. but God in
infinite wisdom placed upon us the
burden of the suffrage. 1t matters
not now whether we sought this duty
or not. we cannot evade II, and from
cowardice or Incidence we must not
fail our country.
Claims Bill PaternalistIc
IL 10 toui DOuiutl uulst goui III
alienab'e right as an individual to
know the real meaning of this bill
Send a postcard to your senator or
member OF Congress or TO me asking
for copy. and when you receive the
bill. examine II carefully. see If II
does not carry with II a power. small
In its beginning and seemingly in
nocuous. but with paternalistic posi-
bilities Of incalculable danger. Ask
other women about, ask your hus.
bands. your legal friends, and when
you have made up your mind. tell us
your representatives in Washington.
Remember. the political women
who are supporting this bill. wishing
the first test of their power In legis-
lation to be a master stroke. have used
the most touching and irresistible APP
peal that could be placed before
body of American men. Mothers of
America. is this an insidious attempt
to secure most dangerous class legis-
lation-the class legislation of sex?
II oppose this bill, basing my actor
upon the belief that my sister women
have not been fairly death with. thai
even to the great-hearted, sympathetic
president II has been claimed that the
mothers want and ask for Il. when the
vast majority know nothing of it.
Il have personally given more time
study and thought to this bill than to
any other legislation now pending:
that has been my duty as the only
woman who would have right to lift
her voice either for or against. as
national law-maker desiring to be pre-
pared when this fateful issue comes
to speak for the women in humble
homes whose toll is glorified by love
of husband and babies.
IF In your judgment this legisla-
ton is unnecessary for the reason
that the family, the community, the
municipality and the state. under
standing local conditions. can care for
their own without national mandate
or espionage, say so'