Evening star., 1938-06-18
Voters Unit Cites Gains
Curbs on Child Labor and New
Food.Drug Law Hailed.


paigns, representing years of
strenuous effort to curb. child
labor and to safeguard the con-
sumers of food drugs and tics,
were hailed today by Miss Marguerite
M. Wells, president Of the National
League Of Women Voters, as out
standing accomplishments of the
Seventy-fifth Congress. AS to the
merit system in government. which has
been one Of the chief objectives OF
the league for the past four years,
Miss Wells was less commendatory, al
though she gave credit to Congress
for some advances.
In discussing the child labor pro-
visions of the wage and hour legisla-
ton, she said. 1--WE have the kind of
Federal child labor law that the
League of Women Voters has urged
and we expect no court reversal of
the law" She pointed out that the
league has campaigned to insure the
Federal regulation of child labor for
the past Is years, and called special
attention to the section in the new
law prohibiting interstate commerce
In goods from establishments employ
ing children under 16, as being praise
worthy. Miss Wells also commented
favorably on the fact that the enforce
ment Of the bill is placed in the United
States Children's Bureau as that bu-
reau has good working relations with
the States" THE work permit system
of the law provides business like, i'm
personal and effective control" she
added.
The food and drug bill, in Miss
Wells opinion, is considerably
stronger in consumer protection than
the present law and basically sound.
And it can be improved as the years
go on she asserted. Our organiza-
tion particularly rejoices that all of
Its good features were not nullified by
the obnoxious court review section
which was ironed out in conference"
I'VE are glad to note that the ad-
ministrative set-up under the wages
and hours bill is all under the merit
system" she said. THE growing
tendency to put positions over $4,000
under Senate confirmation is just
another form of patronage Another
blow to this form of patronage was
struck when the House refused to
accept the two Senate confirmation
riders to the independent offices ap-
preparation bill. The new postmaster
legislation, though 1t can by no means
be called a merit system measure,
does make significant Improvements
in existing law"
Miss Wells stated that the League
Of Women Voters would continue to
campaign for civil service reorgani-
cation as provided in the reorganiza-
ton bill, and later in the Mead bill,
which was not voted on by this Con-
gress.
Mrs Ernest H. Daniel, president
elect Of the District of Columbia Fed
Grafton of Woman's Clubs, entertained
the incoming officers of the fedora
ton and the presidents of the men,
Der clubs at tea at her home yes
terday afternoon. The tea followed
o business meeting at which COM
mittee and division chairmen for
next season were selected.
All of the newly elected officers
were present, with the exception of
Mrs. Pierce B. Ashburn, corresponding
sescretary, who is out of the city.
They are: Mrs. Lloyd w. Biddle, di-
rector; Mrs. LIE Verne Beales, first
vice president; Mrs. Ruth Snodgrass,
second vice president; Mrs. A. A.
Ludwig, recording secretary; Mrs
Henry Fenno Sawtelle, treasurer, and
Mrs. Charles P. Keyser, auditor.
Two Of the past presidents were
the honor guests. They are Mrs.
Ellis Logan of the Sabbath Alliance
and Mrs Edgar B. Merritt of the Po-
litical Study Club.
. The Oberlin Chapter of the Delphian
Society will hold its last meeting for
the year Monday at 10 am in Pierce
Hall. Officers will be elected. After
the meeting q luncheon will be given
for the members and their guests at
the Highlands.
Two programs will be given. Mrs.
George z. Middleton will have charge
Of . discussion on The World War
and It's Effects on Britain" Mrs.
William E. Miller. leader Of the Sec