The New York herald., 1922-04-30

4
Miss Robertson is almost certain TO be
returned and some of the male leaders
of both parties admit that she will
probably have as associates two or
three members of her own sex as a
result of the coming elections.
Up to the present time the activities
of the new voters have been almost
entirely confined to prospecting the
political field. studying the political
technique and grounding themselves
in tie fundamentals of organization
and parliamentary methods.
Parliamentary Ability shown.
In conducting their conferences the
women upon whom the direction OF
procedure devolved indicated ability
of very high parliamentary order,
superior in fact. to that which usually
characterizes the ordinary gatherings
OF men.
Officially the women restricted their
activities to the discussion of recon-
mendations relating to subjects of a
social character of general interest to
the sex. But In their conferences with
the men leaders of the two parties and
Senators and Representatives they
expressed very definite ideas regard
ing matters purely political.
They have indicated their opposi-
tion to the bonus in no unmistakable
terms, demanded the recognition of
women In the construction of tariff
legislation IN the budget provisions
for Fedora departments and several
AL x,aIn r., t,t,
they lave hitherto been denied a
voice. y
They have not been at all reluctant
to express their entire disapproval of
the tendency on the part of the male
leaders Of both parties to ignore their
claims for substantial recognition in
the way of offices. They are not
pleased with what they assert to be
discrimination" against women appli-
cants for office under the Harding Ad-
ministration. They have pointed out
the disparity in this respect as COM
pared with the fact that at least
5000, 900 women voted for the candi-
dates for President in the 1920 elec-
ton.
President Not Blamed.
They do not blame the President or
any other official of the Government in
particular for this Discrimination"
But 1t is quite evident that If the
women achieve their ambition to OBJ
tain larger representation In the next
Congress they will demand "fairer"
distribution Of the offices.
Although not in complete accord as
to the value of the legislation provided
by the male legislators, the majority
of the women attending the confer
ences of the various organizations at
Washington and Baltimore seemed to
look with favor on the so-called ma
ternity bill, now a law. Their chief
criticism of it was that Congress made
"the most niggardly provision" in pro-
viding only $1,500,000 to finance the
undertaking.
The subject Of the most general in
terest on which women are centering
their attention is to amend the Consti-
tuition In order to guarantee unre-
stricted political privileges, which
great many of them do not believe
were granted by the nineteenth amend
ment
A tentative draft of a supplementary
addition to the Constitution and known
as the twentieth amendment" has been
framed by the National Woman's Party
and already is subject for discussion
by women throughout the country.
Draft Of Proposed Amendment.
The draft, which probably will not
be introduced during the present Con-
gress. reads as follows:
Section 1. No political, civil or
legal disabilities on account of sex
or on account of marriage, unless ap-
plying to both sexes. shall exist
within the United States or any
place subject to their Jurisdiction.
Section 2. Congress shall have
power to enforce this article by ap-
propriate legislation.
The National Woman's party, which
embraces women identified with all the
organizations recently assembled here,
is political but non-partisan. The of
ficers of 1t admit that their purpose is
to help any candidate for Congress
sional office who supports the new
amendment and to defeat those who
oppose it. The aim of the amendment
is to nullify State laws which discrim-
mate against women. They cite nu-
merous States where women do not
enjoy equal political rights with men,
despite the Nineteenth Amendment.
Specifically they name Virginia.
where fathers have complete control
over children: where woman cannot
choose her home: where property Is
presumed to belong to a husband ;
where inheritance laws discriminate
against women; where the grounds
for divorce are unequal; where women
cannot serve on juries and are not ad-
mitted on equal terms to the State
university.
Other States which perpetuate laws
that discriminate" against women are
Maryland, Mississippi. Alabama, Della
ware, Louisiana and Maine.
In several States so-called blanket"
bills removing the political disabilities
of women have been written into the
statute books. Some OF these States
are Wisconsin. Mississippi, Louisiana
and Delaware.
WIN start Campaign.
Promoters of the Twentieth Amend
ment admit there is great deal of
opposition to the project, but they are
preparing to inaugurate a campaign
Of education which thew haIiava will