The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-03-09
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MA
TERNITY BILL

- SO many requests have come to
the National Headquarters for infor
amtion in regard to the Maternity
Bill' comonly known as the "Shep-
pard-Towner Bill" that the follow
ing facts are set forth.
The Children's Bureau was created
in 1912 because large number OF
students of social questions, men
and women. believed that children
would fare better II the govern
ment took hand in studying and
publishing the best methods of rear
ing and caring for them, Just as
for fifty years the government has
studied and published reports on
how 10 improve agriculture. They
claim, Eat Motherhood" was the
recognized business OF women and
should be dealt with intelligently,
that all children had the right to be
well born and we'll trained.
In 1912 President Taft appointed
Julia Lathrop as Chief OF the Chill
dren's Bureau. which is in the De-
partment OF Labor. but. under re
Organization plans, Il may be placed
elsewhere
The law directs the Bureau to in
vestigate and report on all matters
pertaining to the welfare Of children
and child life.
The first subject mentioned to the
Bureau for study was infant
mortality, probably because the rate
OF infant deaths is now universally
regarded as a sure sign of the level
of social we'll being.
Reports from the Bureau have
shown a serious waste of the lives
OF infants and mothers which the
authorities agree is unnecessary,
and doubtless the knowledge OF
these facts has led to the drafting
of the measure For the promotion
OF the welfare and hygiene of Ma
ternity and Infancy"
IL was natural that the Children's
Bureau should have helped in the
drafting OF the Maternity Bill. and
that the administration should be
placed In the hands of the Chief OF
that Bureau with an able advisory
committee.
The Maternity" bill was first in
troduced into the 65th Congress by
Hon. Jeanette Rankin, Republican
representative from Montana. Re
ported out OF committee February
IL, 1919. but was never brought up
on the floor. II was reintroduced
In the 66th Congress in the Senate
by Senator Sheppard OF Texas, and
in the House by Judge Towner, OF
Iowa. II passed the Senate and was
reported out OF the Interstate Com
merce Committee OF the House, and
had a sufficient number OF votes
Tor passage, but the Committee on
Rules refused to take such action
as would allow II TO reach the floor
OF the House. II died March 4.
1921. with the seth Congress.
With a few minor changes the
bill was reintroduced into the 67th
Congress and hearings were held
before the Senate Committee. II
was fanally reported out of commit
tee and passed the Senate July %,
1921. the vote standing 62 for (37
Republicans. "a Democrats) and
against a Republicans. Demo
crats.)
The bill was then sent to the In
terstate Commerce Committee in the
House and hearings were held each
morning for two weeks ending
July Esd. II was reported out OF
Committee November IA. 1921, and
passed November 10, 1921. the vote
standing 279 for Cs7 Republicans.
So Democrats.) 80 against GA
Repnhi!cans. 15 Democrats.)
The Maternity" bill was first i'm
troduced in Congress by Republi-
can In July. 1918; passed In 1921
by Republican Senate: reported
out OF the House Committee by the
Republicans: passed by Republi-
can Congress and the measure has
been signed by Republican Presi-
dent. Warren g. Harding.
President Harding. on October 1,
1890. on "Women's Day., when a.
900 people. mostly women. gathered
at Marion. Ohio. declared In their
presence. for Welfare Department
having special reference to women
and children. In his first message
10 the 67th Congress the President
said he expected the Maternity bill
TO pass the extra session.
Thirteen National organizations
OF women haxe done heroic work
for this Bill and the Republican
Party has been back of II. A
woman member of the Republican
National Executive Committee took
poll of the Republican members
OF the Interstate Commerce Commit
tee and many members OF Congress:
she attended all hearings of both
Senate and House, speaking before
both bodies and was present In the
Senate when the vote was taken.
Many women who We're the legis-
lative agents OF the different organi-
cations working for the measure are
ardent Republicans and some of
them had been workers I'm the last
campaign.
Provisions OF the Bill
The Bill as passed by the Senate
is easily understood. For the pur-
pose of stimulating the work. the
Bill provides ten thousand dollars to
be given each State the first year
and five thousand each year there
after for a period of five years.
An additional appropriation of one