The union times., 1945-07-21
Voodhouse Against Equal Rights" Act
Full Employment, Unions Are Answer
Congresswoman Sees Amendment Endangering Much Hard-Earned Legislation; Says Women In Industry Still Need Protection = Let's Have Equal
 Rights And All Our Past Gains Too''


 By Rep. CHASE GOING WOODHOUsE
 Second Congressional District = Connecticut
 Equality of rights under the law shall be denied or abridged by the United States by State Congress the several States shall have power within their respective jurisdictions article b n prOpriate legislation
 The campaign which has brought this proposed Amend ment to the floor of the Senate and far
 mttee in the House is tribute to a Written Especially slogan. Equal rights for women? Of
 For you're for it. But will this so-caIIed The Union Times Equal Rights Amendment give women
 equal rights? If Congress will just pass the Amendment and the States raify it will have equal job opportunities will they get pay the same work will they have the chances for promotion as men?
 The in every is "No" All these questions turn tradition, prejudice if you You can't fight tradition with a constitutional amendment.
 What It Really Means
 But what of equality law? unfortunately true that certain States do still have discriminate against However other States of which Connecticut one should be possible to amend the laws which still discriminate against
 What does the Amendment really mean? Under it no Act of Congress no State legsaon city ordinance make any distinction between and There be no against and discrimination in their favor.
 In Connecticut following legislation would be in ques ton if the socaled Equal Rights Amendment ratified: For protection of the family: the husbands primary responsibility for family supports CD the allowance of household goods and other property exempt from bands debts when his personal property insufficient satisfy creditors caims (3) employment before after childbirth Some lawyers hold that since motherhood condition and would not be affected For the protection of working CD of work: CD night work; (3) prohibition of work any less wife daughter of prOpretOr (4) industrial home work; (5) providing seats.
 There will also be question concerning laws protecting VOrce, questions Ot minimum and laws regulating cupatiOnal hazards.
 Under Federal law the rights of widows under Social Security Acts might we'll be questioned
 Change Ideas On Family? a Unless change ideas of the family our basic social un long present economic system law enforce different obligations upon the husband and father than upon the wife and mother As protective legislation for proponents of the ished upon ratification of the Amendment gay they would substitute legislation which would both and Excellent! But how long would take? And and identical?
 Women cannot lift as heavy weights without bodily injury; they are more subject to harm from certain industrial pOsOns and OccupaOnal diseases; they likely to be permanently harmed by certain moral hazards When the ends thousands of covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act will go back into industries and service occupations where they will require the protection of State labor laws.
 Strong Unions Will Help
 Typicaly the primary bread1vnners. and in order supplement the family income will work for lower wage than Strong unions might away with the need legislation but many the who need the protection the in the type of work most unfavorable to organization Endless litigation would be the first outcome of the ra fcaon of the Amendent For example, what is right? What duty? Under the Amendment could Selece Ser vice legally make distinction between men and women? Would women be drafted? George Gordon Bae New York attorney, a memorandum submitted a Senate SubcOm- mee in favor of the Amendment "OW that they could and should be drafted Women citizens. They have property, they the obligations the State that owed by They should be drafted protect the State in of war.'
 The difficulties of interpretation of this seemingly simple Amendment with its appealing name, legion
 Equality For Women?-Yes!
 Of course equality for Of has to admit there still State laws which discriminate against One also admit that protective legislation has hampered wOmen-very sedOm however, the in Certain professional display have hampered by night work States But such laws and have been amended. The in industry still needs protection. For her union organization the but take