Evening star., 1938-02-07
CHURCHMAN HITS
EQUAL RIGHTS BILL
Msgr. Ryan Fears Birthrate
Would Decline Under Pro-
posed Amendment.

children and arms was gravely dis
cussed today as a Senate Judiciary
Subcommittee resumed consideration
Of the equal rights amendment bill
which has lain dormant for five years.
With more than 100 women lining
three sides OF the spacious committee
room, opponents Of the legislation,
marshaled under the direction of the
National League Of Women Voters,
leveled their fire against it, swinging
from sarcasm to logic in an effort to
show that the amendment has no
place in the Constitution.
The opposition was hurriedly as
sembled after the Senate Judiciary
Committee had prepared to vote out
the legislation, authored by Senator
Burke, Democrat, of Nebraska, and
urged by the Women's National party.
The committee vote is schuled Feb
1uary IA.
Msgr. Ryan IL Witness.
The principal witness today was the
most Rev. Msgr. John A. Ryan of the
National Catholic Welfare Council. one
of the foremost schoolgirls In the
country.
In = philosophical dissertation in
which he described the proposed
amendment as a feminist" movement,
DR.. Ryan said he feared the effect on
the birth rate that might result
from it.
The declining birth rate now is
general over the Western world except
among the Slavic races" he said. Il
believe that before the end of the
next decade our population will be
stationary. Once it becomes station
ary, II will begin to decline.
DO we want to contemplate a de-
clining birth rate for American So
ciety?" he asked.
Effect Hard to Show.
Senator OMahoney, Democrat. Of
Wyoming, asked Msgr. Ryan If he
thought the amendment would have
that effect.
That is hard to show" the witness
answered, adding. however, that the
declining birth rate "is due in part to
women in industry" and that he was
afraid" of the effects of equality leg
islation on employed women.
Msgr. Ryan said women are mans
equal as persons, but are his inferior
in economic power and physical capac-
ity," and regard would have to be
taken of that fact.
Wouldn't Join Army.
Senator Hatch, Democrat. of New
Mexico inquired II the churchman be-
lieved the theory Of equality would be
carried so far as to put women in
the Army. Navy and on the battle
field"
"Oh. no." chuckled the witness.
Senator Borah, Republican, of Idaho
questioned what equality" would
mean in the amendment; and whether
II 1t were adopted. Congress could pass
legislation that would dif1erentiate be-
tween men and women in those fields
where Msgr. Ryan insisted 4 differ
ence must be respected.
The Lord only knows" was the
reply.
Churchman Sums Up.
Senator Austin, Republican, of Ver-
mont asked if Msgr. Ryan could sue-
gest the sort Of legislation that should
accompany the amendment to pre-
scribe these differences, and the
churchman said mot offhand," but
that he would give it consideration.
In every revolutionary movement,
women have been about the equal of
men. haven't theyo" Senator Borah
inquired as the churchman was pre-
pairing to leave the stand.
"Oh, yes" was the reply, and then
the audience laughed appreciately as
Msgr. Ryan summed up:
There is no doubt but that women
have been badly treated in years past,
but they've been getting along pretty
fast, lately"
Mrs. Gait Is Opposition.
Miss Dorothy Straus OF New York
City. representing the National League
OF Women Voters. told chuckling Sen
ators that ladies are not at all
ANXIOUS 10 De recreated, legiSlatively
into the image of man."
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, presi-
dent. sent statement to the COM
mittee expressing opposition to the
amendment on behalf OF the National
American Woman Suffrage Associa-
ton.
Mrs. Gait said the association i,
convinced that the amendment Is
false in its theory and would prove
pernicious in practice"
Senator Wagner. Democrat, of New
York, who appeared at the hearing
for a few moments, also sharply as
sailed the amendment. declaring it
would be devastating to all the leeis-
lation we have been passing in recent
years to protect women and children
in industry"
He promised 30 file a brief in on
position.