Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-11-17
PRESIDENT HEARS
EQUAL RIGHTS PLEA
Compliments Women's Della.
cation Asking Support of
Amendment.

IT doubt IL any of nv countrymen
would hesitate to assert that If the
womanhood Of the nation want some
thing they would be bound to secure
it," President Coolidge said In a
brief speech to a large delegation of
women, members of the National
Women's Party. representing every
section Of the nation. gathered about
him today in the large historic east
room of the White House
The deputation called on the Presi-
dent to explain why their orgaHsza-
ton wants equal rights for women
and the method to be employed dur
ing the ensuing year to obtain these
rights by the enactment of an
amendment to the federal Constitu-
ton. ..-
After several of the delegation HAD
discrimination against their sex and
appealing to him for his support
when the matter comes before Con-
gress this winter, President Coolidge
spoke as follows:
Your presence here is a very i'm
pressive demonstration Of your de-
sires. / doubt If any OF my country
men would hesitate to assert that II
the womanhood of the nation want
something that they would be bound
to secure 1t.
Promises In Congress.
NJ am personally certain that if you
will present to Congress as you have
to me your reasons why you want
this constitutional amendment, that
you will find them very responsive to
your request.
cit is a novel impression to me. ]
have been engaged in legislation
somewhat on the other side in Massa-
ohusetts, by attempting to protect
! women from possible tmpositions
| somewhat as was suggested by one
of the ladies of prohibiting their en-
ployment in certain vocations that
were supposed to be beyond their
physical endurance. but If the WON
anhood of this nation wants tina,
change and you demonstrate your
ability, your capacity and your
strength even as you have before. to
secure favorable action; IL you want
some change made now, I haven't the
slightest doubt that Congress will
respond favorably."
1t was made plain to the President
that the removal OF all discrimination
against women. whether in law or in
custom, is now the single purpose OF
the National Woman's Party With
much earnestness and emphasis the
speakers told the President that as
head of the nation he has the excep-
tional opportunity to recommend that
this measure of justice be extended
without delay to the women of the
country. or as one speaker expressed
1t, extended to one-half the people
Of this country"
East Room Reception.
The deputation was received in the
large historic east room Of the White
House. After the 'formalities OF
greeting were disposed of, Mrs. o. H
P. Belmont. president of the National
Woman's Party. presented the dele
cation and briefly outlined the pur-
pose OF the call and the desire on
the part OF her organization to secure
this equal rights amendment.
Miss Maud Younger, national con.
gressional chairman Of the party, who
made the principal speech III advocacy
of the amendment, among other
things said that it Is realized tina,
women have greater freedom in the
United States than In any other coun-
try in the world and that yet there
are states today where a father may
will away his child from It's mother
fC0,tI,,,a<7 -, Do o TSoI,,I.,, . \