Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-10
MARYLAND MAY
EXEMPT WOMEN
FROM JURY DUTY
Equal Rights Legislation
Brings BOmb0rdment of
State Assembly.
BY CONSTANCE DRExEL.

WASHINGTON, March 1O.--Annapolis,
capital Of Maryland is now the scene OF
a battle Of words over equal rights legis-
lation. A blanket" bill revoking prac-
tically all disabilities against women was
passed by the House last week. Jury
duty, however, was exempted. Many men
don't want their women serving on juries.
Now the State Senate is being bonn
barded by women, both for and against
this legislation proposed by the National
| WOmens Party. The Maryland branch
| of the National Women's League Is lead
ing the opposition.
Yesterday much hilarity was caused by
a bill introduced BY State Senator Knoc
Of Baltimore. IL proposed to put men on
/ equal footing with their wives, making
wives equally responsible for contributing
to the support of the family. Other pro-
| visions made women pay alimony to
their husbands and liable to arrest for
/ non support.
| These tactics contributed to the gayety
| of the occasion, but not much else.
Answering criticism that equal rights"
! Legislation would upset welfare and pro-
tective laws fer women in industry, the
National Woman's Party Just Issued 4
| statement giving opinions of Wisconsin S
equal rights law passed June II. 1921.
| at has proved its value by actual test
| say Wisconsin State and National Of
| fcials," is the assertion. 1t is supported
! by favorable opinions from Governor
John J. Blaine United States Senators,
| Lenroot and La Toilette and many others,
| including Congressman and State officers.
| But the most important opinion, in
! view of the opposition Of those fearing
equal rights" will teopardize protective
! legislation for women, Is from Il. r.
| Witte, secretary of the Industrial COM
mission of Wisconsin. The letter IS from
Madison, the State capitol, dated Ian
| IS, 1922. and reads;
Replying to your letter Of Jan. H.
! allow us to state that no suit has been
filed to contest the validity Of women's
/ welfare laws in view OF the passage OF
/ the so-called 'women's rights biIP by
the last Legislature nor has any en-
ployers association ever suggested that
the effect Of this womens rights bilI is
to repeal the womens welfare laws A
few representatives, Of womens orgauiza-
lions have taken this position, but no.
body else has done so or is required to
do So" Signed Industrial commission,
+. f. Witte, secretary.
While the four power pact was being
discussed In the Senate chamber. there
was great excitement in committee rooms
yesterday, when It looked as II the
children's bureau appropriation would be
slashed. One thing f. sure, the women
back home don't realize what hard work
what heartburuings and what eternal Wig
lance is necessary here on the part Of
the small group OF women who are watch
ing so Congress will stlu leave the WON
ems bureau and chIIdren's bureau In the
scheme n Government.
Probably you will say, "but Congress
created those bureaus years ago and
they have proved beneficial to the whole
country"
yes" IS the answer, but each sue
ceeding Congress can so emasculate tho
appropriation as to hinder II no, clint
maze he work"
in the case Of the wopen's and child
ren's bureau, the latter with the added
appropriation for the Sheppard Towner
maternity bill, these came sailing
through the House the other dav. as
reported in these dispatches But ala
hat end the story7 oh. no. The an.
proprlations had to go to Senate com
mittee before they even got to the SEN
ate and then they have to go back TO a
conference committee 10 iron out differ
ences. All this IN spite OF the fact that
these appropriations are included in the
budget
Wei, all the executive secretaries Of all
the big women's organizations are ter
ribly disturbed because the Senate com
mite slashed the appropriation for tho
children's bureau and for the material
~ bill. The ultimate result is In doubt
All Of which proves that "humanlzing-
Congress" Is some job and that the WON
en- who are a 1t deserve great credit for
their patience and perseverance, Cory.
right 1922 by Public Ledger Company