Evening star., 1938-04-28
JUDICIAL REVIEW
IN FOOD ACT HIT
Bars Consumer Protection,
Mrs. Baldwin Tells
Women Voters.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ST. LOUIS, April 28.-Mrs. Harris
T. Baldwin, first vice president of the
National League of Women Voters,
charged today the Pure Food and
Drugs Act, pending in Congress, had
been "devitalized" by provisions for
judicial review of regulations.
She told the leagues thirteenth an
nual convention that the organiza-
ton, which had fought for the bill
for five years, will now have to op-
pose it, unless this provision Is re-
moved-the time for compromise Is
past"
League opposition to the McKellar
bill, providing for Senate confirma-
ton Of postmasters, although original
selection would be made by COM
petitive civil service examination, was
announced by Miss Florence Kirlin of
Washington, the legislative secretary.
Mrs. Baldwin, also of Washington,
said inclusion of judicial review in
the food and drugs bill was the re-
suit of flank attack by special in
terests" which will make the admin
istrative agency 'impotent to give
real protection" to consumers.
Under this provision" she de-
clared. lit might be generation be-
fore any one regulation of major
significance would go into effect"
Precedent Is Seen.
Miss Kirlin asserted failure Of the
Senate to give up its privilege of con-
flrming postmasters of the first, Sec
ond and third classes keeps those
postmasters in the patronage column
and make a farce of the merit
system"
She contended the McKellar bill
sets a new precedent which if fol-
lowed in other measures will mean
the end of civil service conpetent
to perform the complicated functions
now demanded of government.
The part women have assumed in
che affairs of the Federal Government
was illustrated by four women ex-
ecutives who have an aggregate Of II
years of service.
Honored guests at the convention,
they are Mrs. Lucille Foster Mcmillan,
member of the Civil Service Commits
sion; Miss Mary Anderson, chief of
the Women's Bureau of the Depart
ment of Commerce; Miss Katherine
reau of the Department of Labor
and Mrs. Ruth Shipley, an employe of
the State Department.
When interview, only Mrs. McMil-
Ian was even slightly militant in her
viewpoint on the necessity of women
in government Widow of Benton
Mcmillan, former Governor of Ten
nessee, she has been member Of the
commission since 1888
The Government needs women,
she declared They are careful in
detail work. they are born agitators
and they are better practical econo-
mists than are men"
Head of Bureau Since 1919.
Miss Anderson has directed the
Women's Bureau since 1919, and she
has often been referred to as the
Official mother Of the 100000
women employed in the United
States"
Miss Lenroot has been in the Chill
dren's Bureau for % years. Mrs
Shipley, for "a years a Federal en-
ploye. directs the issuance of about
1901 passports a year.
Herman L. Finer of the University
Of London warned last night that de-
mocracy must overcome its tendency
toward egotism" and refuse to tolerate
egolsm" and refuse to tolerate
gross inequalities between individuals
groups and classes" If the system is
to be maintained.
If the democratic system stimulates
and encourages self expression it may
go too far and do this excessively,
explained Mr.. Finer. 1T may stim-
ulate economic egoism and greed. Il
may stimulate sheer personal egoism
where people move to public office fol
reasons Of personal ambition, rather
than public service"
Mrs. Meyer Speaks.
Mr.. Finer asserted, There Is nc
doubt that in the long run the demo-
cratic system has everything in its
favor"
Mrs. Eugene Meyer, wife OF the owner
OF the Washington Post and specia
writer for that newspaper, told the
league the United States must dis.
cipline itself to preserve its democracy
She predicted new party alignments
by 1910 as disciplinary movement
Mrs, Meyer asserted I'VE can nc
longer postpone" the solution of the
unemployment problem If democracy
is genuine in its concern for human
values" The only answer to the prob
lem is jobs furnished only by private
industry, she said.
Mrs. Mcmillan Honor Guest.
The league nominated Miss Mar
guerite M. Wells of Minneapolis for
reelection as president; Mrs. Harris
P. Baldwin of Washington, D. c., for
vice president; Mrs Paul Eliel OF
Stanford University, Calf, the secre-
tary, and Mrs. La Rue Brown of Boston
director.
Mrs. Donald Hutchinson of New
York was nominated to succeed Miss
Anna Lord Strauss as second vice
president, and Mrs. Walter Fisher OF
Winnetka, ILL.,, for treasurer to succeed
Mrs. Robert Taft of Cleveland. The
election will be held tomorrow.