Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-08-13

WI ASHlNGlONs august 9.-Mlss Allce
Nv I Robertson, who has had the spot
W light of public opinion turned in
her direction almost continuously since her
election as an Oklahoma representative to
congress, is becoming the cynosure of all eyes
because of the stand which she has taken OPP
posing the passage of the maternity bill for
which women's suffrage organizations all
over the country have been fighting vigor-
ously.
This bill provides that 100000 be ap-
propriated by the federal government for the
first year, and like sum be provided by the
states, the exact amount apportloned accord
ing to population, to pay public health nurses
to instruct mothers in hygiene and the care
of infants to establish consultation centers,
and to cover the expenses of medical and
nursing care for mothers and children, at
home or in hospitals. The exact use OF the
proposed fund would rest largely with fed
eral and state officials.
Says Bill Is Too Indefinite
Miss Robertson's specific objection to the
Sheppard-ToWner bill is that nothing definite
is promised in it. There is much talk Of
sums of money to be set aside ''for the pub
lie protection of maternity and infancy and
providing a method of cooperation between
the government of the United States and the
several states,' but no distinct statement as
to when and where such appropriations shall
be actually used. All practical developme emit
to the childrens bureau of the labor depart
ment and the child hygiene division of the
state boards of health.
eff the bill is passed. said Miss Robert
son, "the state of affairs with small organl-
cations now handling such work will be as it
was with women's knitting societies when the
war stopped. All the good work that is now
being done through many channels will be
stopped Conditions will be worse than be-
fore the bill was passed, because nothing will
be actually started by the passage of this
measure and everybody will be contented,
believing that everything will now be cared
for.''
strenuously to the Sheppard-Towner bill is
because she feels it to be exceedingly pa
ternalistic in it's intent. In this connection,
she says to the woman voter:
eff, in your judgment, this legislation is
unnecessary for the reason that the family,
the community, the municipality and the
state, understanding local conditions, can
care for their own without national mandate,
write your congressman and say So" AS she
does not believe in forcing people to go to
church, as proposed in the much-d1scussed
blue laws SO, too, the lady from Oklahoma
| does not believe in federal supervision Of
maternity problems.
In a statement warning the women all over
| the country to read and consider well the
| latent, as well as the more obvious possibili-
ties suggested by this bill, Miss Robertson
| says: y
| Sex Legislation
| Remember, the political women who are
supporting this BILL wishing the first test of
| their power in legislation to be master
stroke, have used the most touching and ir-
resistible appeal that could be placed before
body of American men. Mothers of Amer
| ica is this an insiduous attempt to secure
most dangerous class legislation-the legisla-
| ton of sex?
81 oppose this bill, basing my action upon
| the belief that my sister women have not
| been fairly dealt with, that even to the great
hearted, sympathetic president, it has been
| claimed that the mothers want it and ask
| for it, when the vast majority know nothing
| of it,
Miss Robertson, descendant of ten genera
| tions of preachers of the gospel, who has her
| self cared for Indian orphans and children
| of illegtimate parentage to make of them
good, clean citizens, does not speak so forci-
| bly, on this bill, which has passed the senate
and is pending action in the house, without
| having first thoroughly investigated the mat
| ter.
| "I have consulted many of my colleagues -
| said Miss Robertson in her drawing, easy
speech land have found only one who said
| he had actually read the bill through He