Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-27
INDIANA DAHY TIMES, MONDAY MARCH q, 1922.
SEES DRAWBACKS
IN EQUAL RIGHTS
BLANKET BILLS
Trades Union League Head
Fears BL0w to Protective
LaWs for Women.
Special to Indiara Daily Times
and Philadelphia Public Ledger.


WASHINGTON, March 27.-The go
called blanket bills, both Federal and
State, seeking to obtain all legal and
sivil rights for women, received another
blow, just sent to the writer for pub
l~ication, by Mrs. Raymond Robbins. Mrs.
Robbins is president of the National
Trade Union League and also president of
the International Federation Of Work
ing Women.
She recently returned from a working
women's convention at Geneva n more
recently presided at a conference Of trade
union women in Washington, where the
equal rights" legislation was under
discussion.
Lest we substitute new disabilities for
old, we call upon the National Woman's
party to discontinue its efforts for blanket
legislation, Federal or State, as a means
of removing civil and legal discrimiaa-
tions against women. For specific leg
~tslation to correct specific Determinations
We give our heartiest cooperation"
The whole controversy RACES around the
possibility that legislation removing "aIl
disabilities and inequalltles' between
men and women will also do away with
protective laws for women In industry.
These laws have been enacted largely
through the efforts Of the National
Women's Trade Union League and the
National Consumers League in State
Legislatures. II Is these organizations,
therefore, that are opposing the cam
paig for equal rights now being carried
on in several States where Legislatures
are in session by the National Woman's
party.
Hore, It is important to state, that no
ono is Directing to equal rights" but
what the industrial women want are spe-
ciaI privileges as well as equal rights.
Neither does any one object to cam
paigns for equal rights in jury service;
guardianship OF children; or the ad-
ministration Of property 10 mention only
a few cases where women are discrlmi-
nate against in most States. But they
want separate bills to enumerate these
Determinations, rather than a blanket
bill' removing all civil and legal in
equalities between men and women. that
u blanket bills, now sponsored by
the National Woman's party, would
throw out protective legislation, is the
assertion in the statement OF Mrs. Ray
mond Robbins, yoiciug the opinion Of the
National Women's Trade League Of
America. II is said the Consumers
League. feels the same way.
The controversy RACES. 1t really COOS
TO the root Of fundamental principles
about which there is a great deal OF doubt
at the present moment. Should there be
protective legislation for women7 No.
answer some; yes, answer others, be-
cause OF every woman's potential mater
nifty. That must be safeguarded not onry
In fhs frterqsf Of woman herself m an
individual, but for the bene6t OF the
State as a whole.
Meanwhile, the National woman's
Party is keeping very quiet. II points
to Wisconsin. where the equal rights"
bin passed last June has worked very
well, IL IS claimed.
As q matter OF fact Alice Paul, moving
spirit Of the Woman's Party, believes
women, should hrst establish equality in
every respect, removing all discrim!ua-
tons ind inequalities against them,
opening up every opportunity for ad-
vancement and service on the same terms
as man. Then she believes the time VIII
be ripe TO study what are the privileges
and protection necessary FOR women, not
only TO safeguard their motherhood, but
TO make IL possible for maternity to at
tain It's true importance IN human rela-
tons.
However, the National woman's Party
Is now engrossed in preparations for
dedication ceremonies Of new head
quarters. on May p, which President
Harding has said he would attend. that
even their equal rights campaign IS
taking second place. The battle OF words
and wits viii come later--Copyright,
1922, by Public Ledger Company.