Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-17

of Oregon and Washington. D. c.
treasurer.
In order to facilitate the work OF
campaigning for the desired legisla
ton, the laws and constitution OF the
Woman's Party were so revised al
the convention as to make available
q small executive committee to work
for immediate congressional action
more or less independently of the
National Council. This committee
may take action without waiting for
a formal council vote at one OF Its
monthly sessions.
This was considered to be the most
important bit of organization business
transacted at the Colorado Springs
meeting.
Outstanding among the reports read
at the convention was that given by
Emma Void, legislative secretary
outlining the work of the past five
years.
In summarizing the legislative &C
tivities. Miss Void said:
at is not possible here to report
on the effective work done in many
States in opposition to proposed meas
ures that would attach to women
further legal disabilities. The voice
of the members of the National Wo
mans Party has been raised against
proposals to limit the opportunities OF
women in industry and the profes
sions, against attempts to write into
the law provisions for one sex that dc
not apply equally to the other sex on
the subject of jury service, sex of
fenses, punishment for crimes, divorce
industrial compensation and World
War Veteran acts.
1.-THE results of the legislative &C.
tivity in the States and Congress
when thus stated seems impressive.
Every member who has worked with
a State Legislature can testify to the
great amount of time and strength
required to secure even most minor
changes. The legislative work has
demonstrated both the weakness and
the power of the State by State
method. Its power lies in it's educa
tionai force, but it must be admitted
to be exceedingly expensive educa
tional work. It's weakness lies in the
fact that in this way the work OF
securing equality is like woman's
work--it is never done. There is nc
end to 1t and no certainty of perma
nence."
More than 500 bills have been pre-
pared by the legal research depart
ment for introduction in practically
every State Legislature and in the
United States Congress, asking for
non-discriminative legislation, accord
ing to Miss Void. These bills have
been placed in charge Of the legisla.
tive chairmen of the State branches
OF the Woman's Party and in MANY
States very effective work has beer
done in securing the introduction anc
favorable action upon many Of these
bills, notably in California, Colorado
Delaware. the District of Columbia
Maryland, New Jersey. Ohio, Penn
syivania and in the earlier years OF
the campaign, in Louisiana.
Though not fayoring piecemea
legislation" said Miss Void, "the Ma
tional Woman's Party has activel,
supported every bill in Congress thai
would give women the same rights
under the immigration laws that thu
men have
Measures secured in one or more
States include the bills euualizine
property rights, inheritance rights
rights to act as administrator OF
executor, power to make contracts
right to sue or be sued, grounds fol
divorce and results of divorce, con
ditions for settlement for poor relief
right to choose domicile for voting. age
OF majority, conditions for making q
will, rights of guardianship of children
or others and powers growing out oil
these rights, right of women to jury
service, right to enter into contracts
and equaliZing rights relating to the