Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-25
BY CORHNNE FRAZIER.

Bt COh1NNE FhALIEh.
T HREE things stand out as
!. high lights Of the convention
of the National Federation of
Business and Professional
Women's Clubs. which con-
eluded it's four-day session at Des
Moines, Iowa, on July II.
The first was the action taken post
poning the vote on the child labor
amendment until the next convention,
with the recommendation that State
groups give the matter further study
In the interim.
Similar action was taken on the
question of special legislation for
women, with the adoption of a resolu-
ton recommending a careful study of
the subject by State and local groups
during the coming year.
The third high spot In the conven.
ton was the unanimous acceptance OF
the recommendation made by the ma
tional legislative chairman. Mi=s
Mary Stewart of Washington, that
the chair appoint a committee of
three to study the legislative policy of
the organization with a view to sug-
costing q method of working that
will be sounder and more effective
than the present system. This COM
mittee, which will be named shortly
by the incoming president, Miss Lena
Madison Phillips of New York, will be
expected to submit a report at the
next convention outlining new legts-
latiye policy.
In discussing the need for a change
in the legislative policy, Miss Stewart
told the delegates that she felt the
method of fndorsing bills was faulty
"a To- ~ s,aFA kfDra IN
the part of individual members. ut
is a common fault of large women's
organizations, said Miss Stewart.
ours Is no less informed than the
average. but, in my opinion, we
should study questions much more
carefully. before putting our stamp
Of approval or disapproval upon
issues Of political or economic impor-
tance.
Many issues brought before the
organization by our legislative COM
mittee are too involved to be passed
upon in q summary manner by any
converting body, in my estimation.
We should not attempt to pass judg-
ment upon them until our member
clubs have given real thought and
consideration to their technicalities,
as well as to their many angles and
possible interpretations. We should
not presume to pass opinion in four
day session upon questions which re-
uuire the intensive study of the great
est brains of the day for a period Of
months or even years! Yet, under
our present policy, we can do just
that"
THE resolution offered by the legis-
lative committee. recommending a
thorough study of the issue concern
ing special legislation for women by
State and local groups before any
action should be taken by the fedora
ton as a whole, was passed by the
organization after the question had
been discussed at considerable length
at the legislative round-table session,
as well as on the floor. The opinion
of the body, as expressed in the pas
sage of the resolution, was that the
question of special legislation is too
important for slip-shod judgment. 1t
affects all business and professional
women vitality and should at least be
studied from every angle and with an
insight to it's possibilities and pitfalls
before the organization votes to COM
NIT itself to any form of blanket in
dorsement either for or against it.
A. resolution opposing all forms OF
special legislation for women and urg
ing support of all labor laws based
upon occupation rather than sex, in
troduced by Mrs. Florence Bayard
Hilles, representing the National
Woman'S Party, was lost In view OF
the previous passage of the. resolu-
ton recommending postponement of
action on the question. Mrs. Hilles'
resolution was not introduced until
after the legislative committees reso
luton had been adopted.
The child labor amendment aroused
one of the most lively discussions of
the entire convention and proved TO
be a subject in which the women were
keenly interested and anxious for
clear understanding. 1t was the trend
of the discussions which led to the
substitute motion, made by Mrs. Ge-
line Bowman of Richmond, Va, advo-
eating special study before the mo-
ton should be put to vote.
According to Miss Stewart, the only
real controversy which arose was over
the motion to raise the annual dues
from 81 per annum TO 81. After
much argument pro and con, the
measure was passed. Those advocat-
ing higher dues based their arguments
upon the fact that the entire organi-
cation, unlike others of its kind, is
financed by dues. with no additional
contributions from individual mem
bers. The federation has increased SO
much in size and importance, 1t was
stated, that additional funds are neces-
sary to carry on the enlarged work
In addition TO the resolutions al
ready mentioned, the converting body
signified its Endorsement Of the edu-
cation bill now pending in Congress
providing for a separate Department
of Education under a cabinet head;
indicated its approval of a statutory
Federal Employment Service and of
the Tess amendment to the Smith
Hughes act, all three of which have
been indorsed by the federation at
previous conventions.
The education committee reported
constructive work in providing schol-
arships for young girls who need aid
to fit themselves for business or pro-
fessional work. Many of the clubs in
the federation are active in this work.
which is one of the most important
projects undertaken by the organiza-
ton.
Through the committee on person
mel research, the University of Michi-
gan requested the aid of the fedora
ton in making a. research study of the
work opportunities for business and
professional women. Cooperation in
gathering facts for this research work
was promised by the delegates in gen
eral session.
In discussing the election of officers,
which was part of the routine bust
ness at the Des Moines conference,
Miss Mary Stewart stated that she
wished to correct the impression that
she had been a candidate for the
office of president. Miss Stewart de-
clared that she was In no sense a can
didate for the office. Her nomination,
made from the floor by an individual
delegate, was made without her