6
PROTECTION OF MATERNITY.
The Chairman. And it is practically identical with the bill as it
passed the Senate 1 . ... . .
Senator Sheppard. Yes, the bill now pending is the bill in the
shape in which it passed the Senate, and in which it was reported to
the House at the last session. There were elaborate hearings on
this bill before the House committee and also before the Senate
committee during the last session. , • , ,
The Chairman. As I understand, it has the indorsement ot
several of the leading women’s organizations .
Senator Sheppard. Yes, most of these have officially indorsed
the bill, notably the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, National
Congress of Mothers and Parent Teachers’ Associations, Womens
National Democratic Committee, Women’s National Republican
Committee, League of Women Voters, Association of Collegiate
Alumnae, National Women’s Christian Temperance L nion, Council of
Jewish Women, National Board of the Young Women’s Christian
Association, Continental Congress of the Daughters of the American
Revolution, National Association of Deans of Women, National
Women’s Association of Commerce, National Consumers League,
National Organization for Public Health Nursing, National Child
Welfare Association, National Council of Women, Service Star
Legion, American Child Hygiene Association, Woman’s Foundation
for’Health, National Women’s Trade Union League, Life Extension
Institute of New York, and the Superintendent’s Department of the
National Education Association. Let me say further that both of
the great political parties are favorable to the measure, and the
President of the United States specifically commended it in his first
message to this Congress. It is a nonpartisan measure, and repre
sents 'the demands of nearly all of the women’s associations of
America
The Chairman. We have had hearings, I wish you would advise
the new members of the committee, on this bill, and I have two letters
here which I will make a part of the record, one from Mr. Anderson,
the secretary of some association in Detroit. They were against the
bill. Is there anyone here representing him or is there anyone here
representing those opposed to the bill ?
AXrs Kilbreth 68.
The Chairman. And would you like to speak in opposition to the
bill?
Mrs. Kilbreth. Yes, I would.
The Chairman. How much time do you want ?
Mrs. Kilbreth. About 10 minutes.
The Chairman. And are you ready to go ahead to-day ?
Mrs. Kilbreth. Yes; I would like to go ahead to-day.
The Chairman. Do you know anything about Mr. Anderson ?
Mrs. Kilbreth. No, I do not know anything about Mr. Anderson.
The Chairman. Is anyone representing him here?
Senator McKellar. Mr. Anderson was heard at the former
hearing.
Senator Sheppard. He was heard at the House.
The Chairman. It is for this committee to say whether we shall
have any hearings on this bill or not.
Senator McKellar. I do not see how there can be any objection to
having a hearing on it at the present time.