The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-04-06

Including doctors, lawyers and lay. men, were present at the hearing Doctors, clergy and laymen and women were sidely divided on the question of whether or not to pass tn bill. Senator Blackall brought loud applause when he attacked figures submitted by Dr Hornell Hart of the Hartford Theological seminary, who spoke for the bill. Dr Hart said that 4,400 babies had been born to families on relief Isn't that just too bad" was Senator Blackall's sarcastic remark. Medicine Is an inexact science, he added, and no child was ever born whose mother was not in the shadow of death.
 bill, Senator Hogan said: "Go bring forth child If you are able and then you will have made real contribution to the welfare of the state.
 Committee May Favor Bill.
 There are strong reports to the effect that the judiciary committee, although divided in opinion, has . majority in favor of the bill. Therefore. it is possible that 6 fav- 0rabfe report will come out of the committee. If this happens the house may pass the bill, just as 1t did two years ago. The measure is sure of defeat once more in the senate, however.
 Dr John D. Freney of this city was among the Waterburians s present. He represented St Marys hospital medical and surgical staff. He was opposed to the bill.
 Assembly May Beat It
 Hartford, Conn.,, April G-(UP) The general assembly Judiciary committee will turn thumbs down on the birth control issue, just as it did during the last two sessions, 1t was reliably reported today.
 Proponents and opponents of a bill to permit physicians to advise use of contraceptives by married women as a health conservation measure, fought 1t out before the committee for three hours l a e yesterday. Church and civic groups and physicians differed sharply as to the practicability of the proposal.
 Supporters Of the bill, lead by Mrs. Katherine H. Hepburn, mother of the screen and stage star, argued the bill would reduce tIie mortality rate among moth crs, reduce the birth date of fam ilies on relief rolls, tend towaf q happier marriages and legalize what they declared now com mon practice.
 Opponents assailed the bill as Injurious to health, contrary tc the law of God and nature,' and opening the way for the distriou' fion of undesirable information among children.
 Catholics Oppose Bill
 Mrs. Herbert Fisher, Hartford member of the state board of pub lie welfare, and spokesman for the Rt. Rev. Maurice F. McAuliffe bishop of the K m a n Catholic diocese of Hartford, said she op. posed the bill "on behalf of 30,00( Catholic women affiliated witf various Catholic organizations"
 Bishop McAuliffe Is opposed tt the bill because he believes it il contrary to the law of God ant 0f nature, and initiates agains human welfare" she said.
 Sen. John c. Blackall, d., Hart ford. declared the bill unsound.
 sIt will tend to reduce nationa Birth rate at a time when Euro 8ean nations are raising cannor fodder and talking openly of war. Mrs. Hepburn scoffed at argu ments of increased immortality.
 If we are to keep the risint generation of women strictl! moral" she said, i've have got tt be honest with them. We can control them through fear. Yonti Hill respond to a morality based an Intelligence. The majority O women have been able to be mora Because of the strict supervision 6z their parents and of their hus bands."
 z pr. Louis B. James, Hartford aid he feared abuses by "un