NAWSA Subject File Congressional Committees Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee November 28, 1927. The regular annual meeting of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee was held Monday, November 28, 1928 at the headquarters of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, 1734 N Street, N. W. Washington, D.C., at 10:30 A. M. Miss Atwater, chairman of the committee, presided. The following were present: Officers: Miss Atwater, chairman; Miss Harlean James, vice-chairman; Miss Williams, secretary; and Mrs. Baker, treasurer. Delegates: Miss Ethel Smith, Mrs. Sidney Cone, Miss Elizabeth Eastman, Mrs. John D. Sherman, Miss Belle Sherwin, Dr. Lousie Tayler-Jones, Mrs. Glen Levin Swiggett, Miss Selma Borchardt, Dr. Louise Ross, Miss Margaret Maule and Miss Margaret Germond. Alternates: Mrs. Arthur H. Watkins, Mrs. Kate Trenholm Abrams, Mrs. Mark Lansburgh, Mrs. Raymond B. Morgan, Miss Clara Noyes, Miss Callie Waldran, and Miss Agnes Winn. Representatives: Mrs. Duncan S. Johnson, Miss Julia Hicks, Mrs. Ann Webster, Mrs. Alexander Wolf, Mrs. E. E. Danly, Miss Josephine Junkin, Mrs. Adolphus Groupner. Visitors: Miss Mary Anderson, director of the Women's Bureau, United States Department of Labor, and Mrs. Charles A. Keith, member of Kentucky Federation of Women's Clubs. The Secretary read a letter from Mrs. Ella A. Boole, president of the National Woman's Temperance Union, in which Mrs. Boole withdrew her organization from membership in the Women's Joint Congressional Committee. Mrs. Abrams submitted the following resolution and moved its adoption: "Having heard with deep regret that the National Woman's Christian Temperance Movement voted at its annual meeting in August last to withdraw from membership in the Women's Joint Congressional Committee, be it, "Resolved that the Women's Joint Congressional Committee advise the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union of its sincere regret that such action has seemed advisable and that the members of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee express their appreciation of the untiring efforts to further the work of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee which at all times since the formation of the Committee, have been given by Mrs. Ellis Yost, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union representative, and be it further, "Resolved, that the Women's Joint Congressional Committee reluctantly accept the withdrawal of the Women's Christian Temperance Union from its membership with a feeling of sincere regret and a knowledge that it is losing one of its most valued members." The motion to accept was seconded by Mrs. Swiggett. The resolution was unanimously adopted and the secretary was instructed to send copies of the resolution to Mrs. Ellis A. Yost and to Mrs. Ella A. Boole. The secretary stated that Mrs. Bagley of the National Committee for a Department of Education by letter had requested Miss Waldran to serve as her alternate on the Women's Joint Congressional Committee and that the National Federation of Business and Professional Women had appointed Miss Germond as its delegate. -2- The minutes of the special meeting of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee held on April 11, 1927 were read and approved. Annual Report of the Chairman: The Chairman made an informal report in which she said that the experience of the past year seemed to indicate the wisdom of having the Women's Joint Congressional Committee consider very carefully what should be its policy in regard to publicity in the broader sense of the term. Annual Report of the Secretary: Miss Williams read the annual report of the Secretary which was approved. (Report attached) Annual Report of the Treasurer: Mrs. Baker gave the annual report of the treasurer which was approved. (Report attached) The reports of the Standing Committee were received as follows: Admissions Committee: Mrs. Watkins reported that since there had been no re- quests from organizations for admission into the Women's Joint Congressional Committee that the committee had held no meetings. Publicity Committees Mrs. Webster reported that the committee had carried on routine work, in sending reports of the proceedings to the five daily papers and in answering inquiring reporters. Lookout Committee: Resort presented by Miss Eastman. (Report attached} Follow-up Committees: Because of the absence of the Chairman, Miss Edwards, no report was presented for this committee. The reports of the Legislative Committee were received as follows: Children’s Amendment Ratification: Mrs. Swiggett stated that the committee had met at the close of last year and had decided to hold the committee together, in case a need arose. It was decided to hold a meeting of the committee im- mediately, upon the adjournment of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee. Education Bill: Annual Report presented by Miss Williams. (Report attached) Vocational Home Economics: In the absence of the chairman, Miss Edwards, Miss Atwater reported that no action has been taken. World Courts: In the Absence of the chairman, Mrs. Park, the secretary, Mrs. Morgan, made a brief oral report for the committee in which she called attention to interesting, literature on the subject of the World Court, a review of which is attached to the minutes. Reclassification: Miss Smith, reported that this committee had ceased to function because the required number of member organizations did not now endorse it. Opposition to the Blanket Amendment: Miss Smith reported no action. She asked the members of the committee to meet immediately following the adjournment of the Children's Amendment Committee. Extension Maternity and Infancy: In the absence of the chairman, Mrs. Costigan, Mrs. Graupner read the report of this committee. {Report attached) -3- Dr. Tayler-Jones asked permission at this time to give the report of nominating committee of which she is chairmen. NOMINATING COMMITTEE. Dr. Tayler-Jones stated that the committee, consisting of herself, Mrs. Abrams and Mrs. Watkins, had failed to come to an agreement and that the committee requested that their report be deferred one month. She stated further that she wished to give her minority report, recommending that the present officers be nominated for the ensuing year. Mrs. Cone moved acceptance of the majority report. Seconded by Miss Koyes. During the discussion which followed Mrs. Watkins asked the secretary to read a statement signed by herself and Mrs. Abrams. (Statement attached) After some further discussion the Majority report was accepted by a vote of 7 to 5. It was suggested that the by-laws of the Committee be amended so as to make specific provision for the method of nominating officers. The chairman pointed out that change in the by-laws could not be made unless previous notice was given. Whereupon Mrs. Watkins stated that the majority members of the nominating committee wished to give notice at this meeting that at the next regular meeting of the Committee an amendment to the by-laws would be submitted relative to the election of the nominating committee and the organization of all standing and special committees. Miss Sherwin moved that changes in the by-laws to provide for the nomination of officers and organization of standing and special committees be referred to a committee for that purpose, to be appointed by the chairman. Seconded by Mrs. Abrams. Carried unanimously. The chairman suggested that since the term sub-committee was not used in the by-laws and frequently led to a misunderstanding of the functions of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee, the effort be made to drop that term and use the term legislative committee instead. Miss Mary Anderson, director of the Women's Bureau of the United States Department of Labor, addressed the Committee on the work of the bureau. Mrs. Lansburgh asked and received permission to use information in the report of the Lookout Committee, in the work of her organization. Miss Swiggett gave an interesting report of a mass meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina, which she attended for the purpose of explaining the organization of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee, and at which Mrs. Abrams performed a similar service for the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Miss Borchardt moved that the chairman appoint a committee to consider the general policy of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee in the matter of publicity. Seconded by Miss Noyes. Passed unanimously. It was voted that the next meeting of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee be held on January 9, 1928, the place to be decided later. The meeting adjourned at one o'clock. Charl Williams, Secretary. Report of the Secretary of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee November 8, 1927 The secretary of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee wishes to submit the following report of her office for the year 1926-1927. Meetings Held - Since the annual meeting of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee on November 29, 1926, four meetings of the Committees have been held on the following dates: January 3 and 31, February 28 and April 11, 1927. Clerical Work of the Committee - The secretary, because of business duties, was able to attend only one of the meetings but all the clerical work of the committee was taken care of by her office. Besides preparing and sending out the minutes of each of the meetings of the Committee, her office typed and distributed the tentative draft of the report of the Special Committee and looked after and distributed she final draft - the actual mimeographing of which was done by a commercial firm. There are now in the secretary's office 91 copies of this report. Correspondence of the Committee - 56 personal letters have been written to members of the Committee and others who desired information. Requests from New York, Kentucky and North Carolina for information on the work of the committee were received and with the help of the chairman were answered in the secretary's office. 7 form letters were sent to members of the Committee. They were as follows: Jan. 6, 1927 - A letter asking for the measures endorsed and names of the representatives on the committee. Inclosed pamphlet and asked members to make their purchases. Mar. 1, 1927 - Letter inclosing complete list of legislative committees for correction if needed. Mar.12, 1927 - Letter (to partial list) again callings attention to pamphlets. May , 1927 - Letter concerning the annual picnic. June 29,1927 - Letter sent with Report of the Special Committee Nov. 14, 1927 - Letter asking for list of measures endorsed by organization and names of representatives. Nov. 15,1927 - Letter sending correction for Special Report. Notices of each meeting of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee were regularly sent 10 days in advance of the date set. Membership of the Committee - 22 member organizations with 46 representatives, delegates and alternates make up the Women's Joint Congressional Committee. The personnel of the Committee for 1926-1927 is attached to this report. Legislative Committees - The work of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee was carried on last year through 9 sub-committees. A list of these committees with the chairman, member organization and representative on each committee is attached. Standing and Special Committees - There were 4 standing committees and 1 special committee for last year. A list of these committees with their personnel is also attached to this report. Literature of the Committee - The pamphlets which were prepared and printed by the Publicity Committee were distributed by the secretary's office. A sheet showing the distribution of the pamphlets, the cost to each organization and the postage for mailing accompanies this report. There are still something over 1000 of these bulletins in the secretary's office. The member organizations -2- have not yet been billed for these and will not be until it is decided whether or not more of them are needed, in which case the cost price will be reduced. Secretary's Work in Field - While on a trip to North Carolina the secretary had an opportunity to explain the work and organization of the Women’s Joint Congressional Committee to a group of women there. At her suggestion the State Federation of Women's Clubs invited Mrs. Abrams and Mrs. Swiggett to attend their state meeting in the interests of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Records of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee - The records of the Committee which included letters, statements, lists and duplicate copies of minutes were received by the secretary last year. ‘These records were carefully sorted, duplicate copies of minutes destroyed and filed chronologically in 5 loose-leaf spring binders which were purchased for that purpose by the secretary with the approval of the chairman. This piece of work took one person's time for a day and a half, the cost of which was borne by the secretary's organization, tie National Education Association. Charl Williams, Secretary Women's Joint Congressional Committee ---- 1926-1927 Miss Harlean James (D) American Assn. of University Women, 1120 - 16th St. Washington, D. C. Miss Eleanor Boswell (R) American Assn. of University Women, 1634 I St. Washington, D. C. Mrs. Raymond Morgan (A) American Assn. of University Women, 1120 - 16th St. Washington, D. C. Mrs. Adolphus Groupner (R) American Assn. of University Women, 2805 Adams Mill Road Washington, D. C. Miss Selma Borchardt (D) American Federation of Teachers, 1741 Park Road, Washington, D. C. Mrs. Mary Sherman Resh (A) American Federation of Teachers, 17418 Machinists Bldg. Washington, D. C. Miss Helen Atwater (A) American Home Economics Association Mills Bldg., 17th & Pa. Ave. Washington, D. C. Miss Alice L. Edwards (D) American Home Economics Association 617 Mills Bldg. Washington, D. C. Miss Lucy Minnegerode (D) American Nurses Association Public Health Service, 7th & B Sts. Washington, D. C. Miss Clara Noyes (A) American Nurses Association Red Cross, 17th St. Washington, D. C. Mrs. John P. Sherman (D) General Federation of Women's Clubs 1734 N St. Washington, D. C. Mrs. Kate Trenholm Abrams (A) General Federation of Women's Clubs 231 Transportation Bldg. Washington, D. C. Miss Josephine Junkin (R) General Federation of Women's Clubs 1734 N St., N.W. Washington, D. C. Mrs. Duncan S. Johnson (R) General Federation of Women's Clubs 25 Merrymount Rd. Roland Park, Baltimore, Md. Miss Margaret Maule (D) Girls' Friendly Society in America 400 S. 15th St. Philadelphia, Pa. Dr. Louise Ross (D) Women's Homeopathic Medical Fraternity 1731 Columbia Road Washington, D.C. Dr. Julia Green (A) 1811 H St., N.W. Washington, D.C. Dr. Tayler-Jones (D) Medical Women's National Assn. 209 Rochambeau Apts. Washington, D.C. Dr. Frances Foye (A) Medical Women's National Assn. 1807 R St. Washington, D.C. Miss Nannie Burroughs (D) National Association Colored Women Nat'l Training School for Girls Lincoln Heights,Wash., D.C. Miss Mary Elizabeth Thompson (A) National Association Colored Women 2535 P St. Washington, D.C. Miss Elizabeth Eastman (D) National Board of the Y.W.C.A. 2266 Cathedral Ave. Washington, D.C. Mrs. Harry D. Nims (A) National Board of the Y.W.C.A. 15 Elm Rock Road Bronxville, N. Y. Mrs. F. P. Bagley (D) National Comm. for a Dept. Education 68 Beacon St. Boston, Mass. Miss Marian I. Parkhurst (A) National Comm. for a Dept. Education 1808 Connecticut Ave. Washington, D.C. Mrs. William Tilton (D) Nat'l Congress of Parents& Teachers 11 Mason St. Cambridge, Mass. Mrs. A. C. Watkins (A) Nat'l Congress of Parents & Tchrs. 1201 - 16th St. Washington, D.C. Mrs. Florence Kelley (D) National Consumers League 156 Fifth Ave. New York City, N.Y. Mrs. E. P. Costigan (A) National Consumers League 2123 California St. Washington, D.C. Mrs. Sydney Cone (D) National Council of Jewish Women Maple Lawn Pikesville, Md. Mrs. Mark Lansburgh (A) National Council of Jewish Women 1928 Belmont Road Washington, D.C. Mrs. Leonard Schloss (R) National Council of Jewish Women 428 Argonne Apts. Washington, D.C. Mrs. Alexander Wolf (R) National Council of Jewish Women 2653 Woodley Road Washington, D.C. Mrs. Glen Levin Swiggett (D) National Council of Women 2220-20th St., The Mendota Washington, D.C. Mrs. Samuel Semple (D) Nat'l Council of Women for Home Titusville, Pa. Missions Miss Florence Quinlan (A) Nat'l Council of Women for Home Missions New York City, N.Y. Miss Charl Williams (D) National Education Association 1201 - 16th St. Washington, D. C. Miss Agnes Winn (A) National Education Association 1201 - 16th St. Washington, D. C. Miss Mary Stewart (D) National Fed. Business & Professional Wardman Park Hotel, Women's Clubs Washington, D.C. Mrs. Maud Wood Park, (D) National League of Women Voters, 532 - 17th St. Washington, D. C. Miss Marguerite Owen (A) National League of Women Voters, 532 - 17th St. Washington, D. C. Miss Margaret Hicks (R) National League of Women Voters, 532 - 17th St., N. W. Washington, D. C. Mrs. Ann Webster (R) National League of Women Voters, 532 - 17th St. Washington, D. C. Mrs. Henry Fenimore Baker (D) National Service Star Legion 1300 Garret Bldg. Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Ellis A. Yost (D) Nat'l Women's Christian Temperance Union 122 Maryland Ave., N. E. Washington, D. C. Miss Ethel M. Smith (D) Nat'l Women's Trade Union League 2852 Ontario Road Washington, D. C. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * LIST OF LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES OF WOMEN'S JOINT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE 1926 - 1927 CHILDREN'S AMENDMENT - Mrs. Glen Levin Swiggett, Shrm. American Association of University Women American Federation of Teachers American Home Economics Association American Nurses' Association Council of Women for Home Missions General Federation of Women's Clubs Girls' Friendly Society in America National Association of Colored Women National Board of the Young Womens Christian Assns. National Congress of Parents and Teachers National Consumers' League National Council of Jewish Women National Council Women National League of Women Voters National Women's Trade Union League Service Star Legion, Inc. Representative on Legislative Committees Miss Elizabeth Eastman Miss Selma Borchardt Miss Alice L. Edwards Miss Lucy Minnigerode Mrs. John D. Sherman Miss Margaret Maule Miss Elizabeth Eastman Mrs. A. C. Watkins Mrs. E. P. Costigan Mrs. Mark Lansburgh Mrs. Glen Levin Swiggett Mrs. Maud Wood Park Miss. Ethel M. Smith Mrs. Henry F. Baker 2 EDUCATION BILL - Charl Williams, Chairman Representative and Legislative Committees American Association of University Women Mrs. Raymond Morgan American Federation of Teachers Miss Selma Borchardt American Home Economics Association Miss Alice L. Edwards American Nurses' Association Miss Lucy Minnigerode General Federation of Women's Clubs Mrs. Kate Trenholm Abrams National Board of the Y.W.C.A. Miss Elizabeth Eastman National Committee for a Department of Education Miss Marian Parkhurst National Congress of Parents and Teachers Mrs. A. C. Watkins National Council of Jewish Women Mrs. Leonard Schloss National Council of Women Mrs. Glen Levin Swiggett National Education Association Miss Charl Williams National Fed. of Business & Professional Women's Clubs Miss Mary Stewart National League of Women Voters Mrs. Maud Wood Park National Woman's Christian Temperance Union Mrs. Ellis A. Yost National Women's Trade Union League Miss Ethel M. Smith National Service Star Legion Mrs. Henry F. Baker 3 VOCATIONAL HOME ECONOMICS - Alice Edwards, Chrm. American Association of University Women (inactive) notify Miss Harlean James American Home Economics Association Miss Alice L. Edwards General Federation of Women's Clubs Mrs. John D. Sherman National Board of the Y. W. C. A. Miss Elizabeth Eastman National Congress of Parents and Teachers Mrs. A. C. Watkins National Council of Women Mrs. Glen Levin Swiggett Nat'l. Federation of Business & Professional Women's Clubs Miss Mary Stewart National League Women Voters Mrs. Maud Wood Park 4 WORLD COURT - Mrs. Maud Wood Park, Chrm. American Association of University Women Mrs. Raymond Morgan American Federation of Teachers Miss Selma Borchardt American Home Economics Association Miss Alice L. Edwards American Nurses' Association Miss Lucy Minnigerode Council of Women for Home Missions General Federation of Women's Clubs Mrs. John D. Sherman Girls' Friendly Society in America Miss Margaret Maule Medical Women's National Association Dr. Louise Tayler-Jones Nations Association of Colored Women National Board of the Y. W. C. A. Miss Elizabeth Eastman National Congress of Parents and Teachers Mrs. A. C. Watkins National Council of Jewish Women Mrs. George Hyman National Council of Women Mrs. Glen Levin Swiggett National League of Women Voters Mrs. Maud Wood Park National Service Star Legion Mrs. Henry F. Baker 5 Representative on Legis- RECLASSIFICATION OF CIVIL SERVICE - Ethel Smith, Chairman lative Committees American Association of University Women Miss Harlean James American Nurses’ Association Hiss Lucy Minnigerode General Federation of Women's Clubs Mrs. John D. Sherman National Consumers’ League Mrs. E. P. Costigan National Council of Women Mrs. Glen Levin Swiggett National League of Women Voters Mrs. Maud Wood Park National Women's Trade Union League Miss Ethel M. Smith Women's Homeopathic Medical Fraternity Dr. Louise Ross 6 OPPOSITION TO BLANKET AMENDMENT - Ethel Smith, Chairman American Home Economics Association Miss Alice L. Edwards American Federation of Teachers Miss Selma Borchardt General Federation of Women's Clubs Mrs. John D. Sherman Girls' Friendly Society in America Miss Margaret Maule Medical Women's National Association Dr. A. Frances Foye National Board of the Y.W.C.A. Miss Elizabeth Eastman National Consumers’ League Mrs. E. P. Costigan National Council of Jewish Women Mrs. Mark Lansburgh National Council of Women Voters. Glen Levin Swiggett National League of Women Voters Mrs. Maud Wood Park National Women's Trade Union League Miss Ethel M. Smith Women's Homeopathic Medical Fraternity Dr. Louise Ross 7 EXTENSION OF SHEPPARD-TOWNER MATERNITY ACT - Mrs. Maud Wood Park, Chairman American Association of University Women Mrs. Adolphus Groupner American Federation of Teachers Miss Selma Borchardt American Nurses' Association Miss Lucy Minnigerode General Federation of Women's Clubs Mrs. John D. Sherman National Board of the Y.W.C.A. Mrs. Elizabeth Eastmnan National Congress of Parents and Teachers Mrs. A. C. Watkins National Consumers’ League Mrs. E. P. Costigan National Council of Jewish Women Mrs. Mark Lansburgh National Council of Women Mrs. Glen Levin Swiggett National League of Women Voters Mrs. Maud Wood Park National Women's Christian Temperance Union Mrs. Ellis A. Yost National Women's Trade Union League Mrs. Ethel M. Smith Service Star Legion, Inc. Mrs. Henry F. Baker 8 APPROPRIATIONS OF WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S BUREAU - Ethel Smith, Chairman American Association of University Women Mrs. Adolphus Groupner National Board of the Y.W.C.A Miss Elizabeth Eastman General Federation of Women's Clubs Mrs. John D. Sherman National Consumers’ League Mrs. E. P. Costigan National League of Women Voters Mrs. Maud Wood Park National Women's Trade Union League Miss Ethel M. Smith Women’s Homeopathic Medical Fraternity Dr. Louise Ross WOMEN'S JOINT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE 1926-1927 Standing Committees Admission Mrs. Watkins, chairman Mrs. Swiggett Mrs. Abrams Dr. Tayler-Jones Miss Williams, ex-officio Publicity Mrs. Webster, chairman Miss Williams Miss Borchardt Lookout Miss Eastman, chairman Miss Steward Mrs. Yost Mrs. Park Mrs. Cone Follow-up Miss Edwards, chairman Miss James Mrs. Abrams Miss Parkhurst Miss Minnigerode Special (former Investigations committee). Mrs. Park, chairman Miss Smith Miss Stewart Mrs. Baker Mrs. Sherman Mrs. Swiggett Mrs. Costigan DISTRIBUTION OF W.J.C.C. PAMPHLETS 1926 - 1927 ASSOCIATION TO WHOM SENT NO.SENT COST POSTAGE TOTAL American Assn. of Harlean James 20 $.14 $.03 $.17 University Women American Federation of Selma Borchardt 100 .67 .07 .74 Teachers American Home Economics Alice Edwards 200 1.34 .10 1.44 Association American Nurses’ Assn. Janet Geister 100 .67 .10 .77 General Federation of Josephine Junkin 1000 6.72 .19 6.91 Women's Clubs Girls' Friendly Margaret C. Maule 100 .67 .07 .74 Society in America " " " . " " 100 .67 .07 .74 Institute Fraternity Mary E. Coffin 250 1.68 .08 1.76 (Medical Women of the Amer. Institute of Homeopathy) Medical Woman's National Dr. Louise Tayler-— 100 .67 .07 .74 Association Jones National Board of the Margaret Miller 200 1.34 .10 1.44 Y. W. C. A. Nat'l. Council of Mrs. Sidney Cone 250 1.68 .08 1.76 Jewish Women National Council of Mrs. Glen Levin 35 .24 .07 .31 Women Swigett Nat'l. Federation of E. D. Partridge 2000 13.44 .38 13.82 Business and Professional Women's Clubs Nat'l. League of 1000 6.72 6.72 Women Voters Nat'l. Woman's Christian Mrs. Ellis A. Yost 50 .34 .07 .41 Temperance Union National Women's Trade Elizabeth Christman 25 .17 .03 .20 Union League Service Star Legion, Inc. Mrs. Henry F. Baker 200 1.34 .08 1.42 National Education Association 200 1.34 1.34 5930 $39.84 $1.59 $41.43 TREASURER'S REPORT November 26, 1927 Reported at last meeting balance $153.15 Receipts April 13th National Consumers League $10 April 14th National P. T. A. 10 May 13th American Nurses Ass'n 10 Total 30.00 ------------- 183.15 Disbursements April 9th Postage 1.75 May 22nd Postage 3.15 July 15th Telephone Calls 3.35 July 29th 250 copies report of investigating committee 53.40 Total 61.65 ------------- 121.50 We had been carrying a separate account for the Children's Amendment Committee. A new bank ruling - requiring $1 a month on all accounts less than $200 - your treasurer recommended the account be transferred to Women's Joint Congressional Committee account and with Miss Atwater's 54.86 advice the $54.86 was added - giving a total in bank 176.36 Respectfully submitted Cora W. Baker, Treas. REPORT OF LOOKOUT COMMITTEE The Lookout Committee calls attention to several measures that may be of interest to the constituent members of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee. They have either been already filed with the clerks or their sponsors have announced that they will be introduced during the coming session of Congress. In the field of foreign relations. 1. The Capper Resolution declaring it to be the policy of the United States that by treaty with France and other like-minded nations war be formally renounced as an instrument of public policy and all international disputes be adjusted and settled by arbitration and conciliation; that the definition of aggressor nations be accepted as one which having agreed to submit international differences to arbitration resorts to war without having done so; that nationals giving aid and comfort to aggressor nations should not be protected by their governments; 2. Senator Borah's resolution proposing that all nations enter into an agreement to outlaw war; this is the same as Resolution 287 of the 69th Congress, with the exception of the deletion of part of one sentences; 3. The Burton Resolution (H.J.R. No.1) prohibiting the exportation of arms, munitions or implements of war to any country engaged in aggressive warfare in violation of arbitration or other peace agreements; 4. The Poison Gas Protocol; 5. Representative R. Walton Moore, of Virginia, will introduce a bill to define the status of our representatives at the League of Nations, to defray their expenses and to pay our share of the expenses of League of Nations' conferences in which the United States takes part; 6. Representative Frederick Davenport, of New York, will introduce a bill to make a survey of the Department of State. The Organization called Disabled Emergency Officers of the World War his asked us to consider a measure for making emergency officers of the World War eligible for pension nor only applying to regular army officers. The National Federation of Business and Professional Women has asked the cooperation of other groups in its efforts to have tho income tax of single persons reduced. An immigration measure will be introduced to bring about the recruiting of separated families. Elizabeth Eastman, Chairman November 28, 1927 ********** REPORT OF THE SUB-SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE EDUCATION BILL Charl Williams, Chairman November 28, 1927 On November 29, 1926 the chairman of the Sub-Committee on the Education Bill in her report to the Women's Joint Congressional Committee mentioned a conference of secretaries of state teachers' associations which was held in Washington, Dec. 9-12, 1926. One of the purposes of that conference was to devise means of pushing forward the campaign for the Curtis-Reed Education Bill. It was the consensus of opinion of that group that in order to secure the needed legislation a vigorous campaign for the education of the teachers and laity must precede such action. With this in mind machinery to carry out such a campaign was put in motion. This consisted of four steps: 1 - The appointment of a state chairman for every state to direct the work for the bill in his state. 2- The appointing by the state chairman of a chairman for each congressional district in his state. 3 - The appointment by the congressional district chairmen of a county chairman for each county in his district. 4 - The appointment by the county chairman of a comity committee. This organization has gone encouragingly forward - 47 states now have state chairmen and 25 of them have a chairman for every congressional district in the state. No state is completely organized down to the last unit but at least 10 of them have made a substantial beginning in this work. Though this organization is far from perfected it is now serving, and will continue to serve, as the means of educating the constituents of the various congressmen as to the needs for this legislation and will enable them to speak and write intelligently about it. When a good job is made of this educational work we may expect a quickened interest in the creation of a Department of Education in Congress. The members of the sub-committee through their organizations have aided in this educational work. They have been instrumental in having the bill presented at their annual conventions and securing its endorsement by their associations. They have also had published in the official organs of their organizations articles and items on a Department of Education. The volume of publicity thus gained has been of inestimable value in the promotion of the bill. The situation in Congress during the short session of the 69th Congress was such as to make legislative work in Washington unwise. So for this reason the Sub-Committee on the Education Bill held only one meeting during the year 1926-1927. Since its close the chairman of this sub-committee has spent practically all of her time in the field in the interest of the Education Bill. She has attended local, state and national organizations, and has spoken many times on this legislation. She has conferred with educational and lay leaders in 16 states, especially with the state chairmen who are directing the work for the bill in the states. The bill will be introduced immediately upon the convening of the 70th Congress, by Senator Charles Curtis in the Senate and by Congressman Daniel Alden Reed in the House of Representatives. THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD COURT Two recent contributions to the literature dealing with the relation of the United States to the Permanent Court of International Justice are worth serious study by everyone who is interested in the adherence of the United States to that Tribunal. "A Way Out of the Court Deadlock" is the title of a brilliant and challenging paper in the October Atlantic Monthly by Esther Everett Lape, the executive of the American Peace Foundation. Miss Lape gives an interpretation of the much-discussed fifth reservations of the Senate Resolution, for which, she says, there is ample juridical backing, and on which she bases a constructive suggestion for further negotiations loading to United States adherence. The second part of the fifth reservation, which is the stumbling block in the way of adherence, reads: Nor shall it (the court), without the consent of the United States, entertain any request for an advisory opinion touching any dispute or question in which the United States has or claims an interest. On the interpretation of the words "has or claims an interest" hung the acceptance of the reservation by the Conference of Signatory Power. Miss Lape points out that under United States law our "interest" would have to be a material or legal interest and not merely the interest we might have, for example, in the affairs of a Latin-American state; and furthermore that legally the Court itself would determine the validity of our claim: "Has or claims an interest" is an accepted phrase in the laws and legal practice of the United States, with a meaning long established by the judicial construction of the United States courts. It means a material or legal interest, and the court to which the claim is made is judge of whether or not the claim is well founded. If the Signatory Powers, she says, can be assured of this interpretation of the words, they would have no objection to accepting the reservation outright. She therefore suggests that this interpretation be acknowledged by the United States: Is it beneath the dignity of the United States to say that the fifth reservation is to be taken in its accepte and traditional meaning, long sustained by the courts of the United States? For the President or the State Department to let this be known, directly or indirectly, in one of the dozens of ways possible to diplomacy, is the way out of the deadlock. The September issue of the International Conciliation Series of pamphlets issued by the Carnegie Endowment, 405 W. 117th St., New York City, reprints with additions an earlier article in the American Journal of International Law by Quincy Wright, Professor of International Law in the University of Chicago, entitled "The United States and the Court." Professor Wright's article is a complete and exceedingly illuminating review of negotiations and events bearing upon the adherence of the United States to the Court from August 15, 1921, the time when Secretary Hughes acknowledged receipt of a certified copy of the Protocol, up to the present time. Its keen analysis of the issues involved in the Conference of the Signatory Powers, with generous quotations from the minutes recording the different viewpoints, make it invaluable to a clear understanding of the question. Professor Wright also holds out hope for the future. "Comparing the Senate debates and the debates and final act of the Conference," he says, "there seems to be little separating them." The issues, as he states them are, What is an American interest, and What authority will decide? The answers to these questions he clearly believes are not such as should separate us permanently from the Court. However, he foresees further negotiations, either in the form of individual correspondence with the States or possibly a new Conference, before the differences are resolved. Both Miss Lape and Professor Wright point out that it is the United States which must take the first move continuing these negotiations. Professor Wright concludes: With the United States committed to the policy of a world court by long tradition and to joining this Court by planks in both major party platforms, by presidential utterances and by resolutions of both houses of Congress, it would seem surprising if it allows the policy to be frustrated by the slight margin of disagreement which remains without further negotiation. Report of the Committee on the Extension of the Maternity and Infancy Appropriation. November 23, 1927. The report of the Maternity and Infancy Committee on January 31, 1927, gave the details of the Congressional action, which extend the appropriation for the Maternity and Infancy act until June 30, 1929, with the provision that at the end of the two year extension the Sheppard-Towner Act itself should terminate. In that report the Committee recommended that action be transferred to the States and that member organizations should urge their membership: 1 - to thoroughly acquaint themselves with the State's needs and the State's program for the health of mothers and babies: 2 - to assist the State Directors in making known to all the people of the State this information: 3 - to realize that they are a part of the great whole and should have some information of the progress made in other States. On May 10, 1927, the Committee on Maternity and Infancy met to consider what action, if any, should be recommended to the States, first, to foster the work during the next two years and second, to secure necessary information looking toward possible activity for a new Federal Maternity and Infancy Act in case the information obtained suggested the necessity for continued Federal aid. The Committee voted to suggest to all member organizations supporting the Sheppard Towner Act what special effort be made to examine the work done in the States and to report the needs to their respective organizations. Such efforts have been made. After the reports from the States have been analyzed, the Committee should hold itself in readiness to resume its activities when advisable. The work for mothers and babies is still "unfinished business". Mabel Cory Costigan, Chairman. Majority Report of the Nominating Committee Because certain irregularities have occurred in the procedure of the nominating committee appointed several weeks ago by the chairman of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee, two members of the nominating committee find themselves, up to the time of the annual meeting, unable to concur in any proposed report. The reasons should be made clear, and are as follows: 1. No meeting of the nominating committee was called until three days before the annual meeting and then at the suggestion of one of the two members making this statement. 2: At this meeting it was learned that without a vote of the committee the chairman had already committed the whole committee to a certain definite report to be made. 3: the two members making this statement felt that their duty to the organization they had been asked to serve prevented their acquiring in such an unparliamentary and unusual mode of procedure. They felt also that such a method would be an injustice to all persons who might be so nominated. They wish to make it perfectly plain that the question of candidates is not in any manner involved. 4. The two members making this statement have been connected with the Women’s Joint Congressional Committee from its organization and they so profoundly impressed with the belief that at this juncture in the history of this Joint Committee, its future should not be compromised by methods not only unparliamentary but not calculated to meet the approval of members of the committee who are deeply interested to see an increase and not a decrease in its strength and influence. 5. The members making this statement believe that the report of the nominating committee should be based upon a thorough canvass of the views of all the different organizations--both large and small--represented on this Joint committee. They therefore have thought that it might appear advisable to allow the nominating committee a somewhat longer time in order that its report might not only be parliamentary but also represent the carefully considered judgements of at least a majority of its members. ( This report to be made to an adjourned session of the annual meeting) Or, if the Joint committee, after this explanation, should desire to place its approval upon such a loose and irregular method or transacting its business, it might accept the resignation of the two members making this statement and immediately adopt the chairman's report. Kate Trenholm Abrams Florence V. Watkins. Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee November 26, 1928 The regular annual meeting of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee was held Monday, November 26, 1928 at the headquarters of the American Association of University Women, 1734 I Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. at 10:30 A.M. Miss Atwater, chairman of the committee, presided. The following were present: Officers: Miss Helen Atwater, Chairman American Home Economics Ass'n. Miss Harlean James, Vice-Chrm. American Association of University Women Miss Charl Williams, Secretary National Education Association Delegates: Miss Alice Edwards American Home Economics Ass'n. Mrs. S. Hodgin Stanton Council of Women for Home Missions Dr. Kate Karpeles Medical Women's National Ass'n. Miss Elizabeth Eastman National Board, Young Women's Christian Associations Mrs. Florence Kelley National Consumers League Mrs. Sidney Cone National Council of Jewish Women Miss Margaret Germond National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs Miss Belle Sherwin National League of Women Voters Alternates: Miss Clara Noyes American Nurses Association Mrs. E. E. Danly National Board, Young Women's Christian Associations Miss Callie Waldran National Committee for a Department of Education Mrs. A. C. Watkins National Congress of Parents and Teachers Miss Marguerite Owen National League of Women Voters Representatives: Mrs. Raymond B. Morgan American Association of University Women Mrs. Glen Levin Swiggett American Association of University Women Miss Muriel Fritz National League of Women Voters Guests: Miss Mary Anderson, director, Women's Bureau, Department of Labor Miss Grace Abbott, director, Children's Bureau, Department of Labor Dr. Louise Stanley, chief, Bureau of Home Economics, Department of Agriculture. The minutes of the May 7 meeting were read and approved. The secretary read a letter from Mrs. Henry C. Taylor, recording secretary of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, in which Mrs. Taylor quoted the following resolution passed by the Federation at their meeting in June, 1928: -2- "That the General Federation of Women's Clubs withdraw from membership in the Women's Joint Congressional Committee and that it refrain hereafter from making any permanent alliances for legislative purposes, but that it pursue its own programs of legislation, making such temporary contacts as conditions warrant." The resignation was accepted and the Secretary was instructed to write to the General Federation of Women's Clubs expressing the regret of the Committee over the withdrawal of that organization. Annual Report of the Secretary: Miss Williams read the annual report of the Secretary, which was approved. (Copy attached.) Miss Atwater asked that there be inserted in the record an expression of the Committee's appreciation of the amount and quality of the service rendered during the last two years by the Secretary and other members of the staff of the National Education Association, especially Miss Waldran. Annual Report of the Treasurer: Copy of Treasurer's report attached. Annual Report of the Chairman: Miss Atwater gave the annual report of the Chairman. (Copy attached.) Reports of the standing committees were received as follows: Admissions Committee: Mrs. Watkins reported that since there had been no requests from organizations for admission into the Women's Joint Congressional Committee that the committee had held no meetings. Publicity Committee: This committee presented no report, its work of sending routine announcements of meetings to the press having been suspended. (See annual report of Chairman.) Lookout Committee: Report presented by Miss Eastman. (Report attached.) At request of Mrs. Kelley, Miss Eastman was requested to prepare a summary of her reports for the year and file with the minutes of the meeting. Follow-up Committee: Miss Edwards gave the report for this committee. (Copy attached.) Reports of the legislative committees were received as follows: Children's Amendment: No report. Department of Education: Miss Williams gave the annual report for this committee. (Copy attached.) Vocational Home Economics: Miss Edwards read the report for this committee. (Copy attached.) -3- World Court: Mrs. Morgan read the report for this committee. (Copy attached.) Miss Sherwin, chairman of the nominating committee, presented the report of the committee, proposing the following members as officers for 1928-1929: Miss Harlean James, Chairman Miss Elizabeth Eastman, Vice-Chairman Miss Marguerite Owen, Secretary Mrs. Henry F. Baker, Treasurer There being no nominations from the floor, it was moved by Mrs. Cone and seconded by Mrs. Swiggett, that the secretary be instructed to cast a ballot for the Committee unanimously accepting the nomination committee's report. Carried. Thereupon the secretary cast the ballot as instructed. Miss Mary Anderson, director of the Women's Bureau in the Department of Labor; Miss Grace Abbott, director of the Children's Bureau, Department of Labor; and Dr. Louise Stanley, chief of the Bureau of Home Economics in the Department of Agriculture, were present and at the request of the chairman gave brief summaries of the work of their respective bureaus and outlined ways in which a legislative committee of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee might assist in securing necessary appropriations. It was decided that the inactive legislative committee on appropriations for the Children's Bureau and the Women's Bureau should reassemble for active work and that the Bureau of Home Economics be added to its list. Representatives of organizations interested in appropriations for any of these three bureaus were requested to meet at the close of the meeting. Miss James, chairman of the Special Committee, gave the report for that committee which was accepted. (Copy attached.) The Committee adjourned at 12:25 to meet January 7, 1929, at the headquarters of the Young Womens Christian Association, 17th and K Streets, N. W., Washington , D. C., at 10:30 A. M. Annual Report of the Secretary Nov. 26, 1928 The secretary of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee wishes to submit the following report of her office for the year, 1927-1928. Meetings Held: Since the annual meeting of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee on November 8, 1927, January 9, February 6, March 5, April 2 and May 7, 1928. Clerical Work of the Committee: The secretary's business office has provided all clerical services for the committee. Notices of the meetings were sent regularly to the members ten days before each meeting. Minutes were prepared, mimeographed and distributed to the members of the committee. -4- Correspondence of the Committee: Numerous letters have been received by the secretary, asking for information regarding the Women's Joint Congressional Committee. These with the help of the chairman have been answered and the letters together with the replies are filed in one of the correspondence books now being turned over to the incoming secretary. Membership on the Committee: During the year 3 members organizations withdrew from the Women's Joint Congressional Committee - National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, National Council of Women and the General Federation of Women's/This leaves 19 member organizations on the committee. Clubs. Changes in the By-Laws: During the year important changes were made in the by-laws of the Committee. The amendments together with a record of the action taken are found in the minutes of the meeting of February 6, 1928. (See minute book) Work of the Committee: During the year there were 4 standing committees: Admissions Mrs. Watkins, Chairman Publicity Mrs. Webster, Chairman Lookout Miss Eastman, Chairman Follow-up Miss Edwards, Chairman The legislative work was done by the following committees Education Bill Miss Williams, Chairman Children's Amendment Ratification Vocational Home Economics Miss Edwards World Court Mrs. Morgan Appropriations Women's and Children's Bureaus Reclassification Opposition to Blanket Amendment Extension Maternity and Infancy Mrs. Costigan Records of the Committee: Records of the committee which included letters, statements, lists and duplicate copies of minutes have been carefully filed in loose-leaf spring binders and are now ready to turn over to the incoming secretary. There are six such volumes, four containing correspondence and two containing the minutes of the committee. Extra copies of the minutes are also ready to turn over to the incoming secretary With the records is a folder containing material which was used by the Special Committee and which was filed with the secretary last spring by Miss Ethel Smith. Report of the Treasurer. Receipts. May 8, 1928 Women's Medical Association--dues $10.00 Girls' Friendly Society for pamphlets 1.48 Medical Women's National Association for pamphlets .74 American Nurses' Ass'n. for pamphlets .77 -5- Treasurer's report--Cont'd General Federation of Women's Clubs for pamphlets $6.41 American Home Economics Association for pamphlets 1.44 Service Star Legion, Inc. for pamphlets 1.42 " " " " " " .20 National Federation of Business and Professional 13.82 Women for pamphlets Total in bank April 16th............315.96 In bank Dec. 6th.....................$352.74 Respectfully submitted Cora W. Baker Annual Report of the Chairman 1927-1928 Aside from the activities covered by the reports of the secretary and the standing and legislative committees, a few developments of the year are perhaps worth summarizing. They have to do principally with questions of publicity and of the relations of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee to member organizations. Two or three special circumstances combined to bring these question to the fore this year. The attacks made publicly against the Women's Joint Congressional Committee in 1926-27 forced us to think carefully what we could do to counteract the misinformation already given and lessen the chance of further misstatements. The increased attention paid by Congress to the methods employed by organizations seeking to influence its action naturally led us to consider the advisability of being prepared to answer inquiries on such points. It also happened that an unusually small number of active legislative committees left time for the WOmen's Joint Congressional Committee to discuss its own policies and its relations to member organizations As regards publicity, it was the opinion of a decided majority that the Women's Joint Congressional Committee was not ordinarily aided by newspaper notices of its meetings and routine business because, unlike many organizations, it does not need public interest to increase its membership or its funds, nor has it the function of trying to influence public opinion in regard to any legislative measures. This last function would devolve on the legislative committees concerned with individual measures, and their experience seems to show that the time and character of their publicity must be carefully chosen. In view of this, it was decided not to send notices of meetings to the press; and the routine work of the standing committee on publicity accordingly ceased. To consider broader aspects of publicity and the possibility of placing before the public information as to what the Women's Joint Congressional Committee does and does not do, a special committee was appointed. Unfortunately, the illness of the chairman prevented its getting into action; and -6- meanwhile, suggestions bearing on its problems came in other ways. At several monthly meetings, the time usually taken by discussions of the work of legislative committees was devoted to the functions of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee itself, including the possibility of increasing the service it renders to member organizations. A careful study of legislative methods used in organizations such as those in the Women's Joint Congressional Committee was suggested as possibly serving several purposes: it would give a clearer and more complete picture of the situation than any now available; it might provide information the publication of which would indirectly answer the false statements made about the Committee and some of its member organizations; and it would place the latter in a position to furnish the facts which Congress may very likely demand from organizations whose representatives appear in behalf of Congressional measures. In all these discussions, a frequently recurring point was the means of making and maintaining contact between the local divisions of an organization and the national committee or representatives concerned with its legislative program. In order to bring the whole matter more clearly before the Women's Joint Congressional Committee, the following special committee was appointed to formulate recommendations: Miss James, chairman, Miss Eastman, and Miss Owen; their report is an important item of business at the present meeting of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee. In considering future activities for the Women's Joint Congressional Committee, one thing must always be remembered - that most of the members are women with little leisure and that for many of those on whom one naturally calls for service on committees, such service is necessarily a side-issue of other interests which have first claim to their time. On the other hand, those who have served on committees dealing with the general policies of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee will agree that the work has given them a clearer insight into the whole question of legislative work by volunteer organizations, and that it has direct value to the organizations which they represent. Certainly that has been the experience of the chairman during the last two years, and she is glad of this opportunity to express her thanks for the privilege and honor of working so intimately with the Committee. Helen W. Atwater, Chairman. Report of the Lookout Committee The attention of the members of the W. J. C. C. is called to the ratification of the Kellogg Peace Pact. There are probably enough organizations which have taken action already to form a sub-committee, it it should seem desirable. Another question of interest is the subject of unemployment legislation. Hearings will begin on this subject before the Senate Committee on Education and Labor, Senator Couzens, Chairman as soon as Congress -7- Report of Lookout Committee--Cont'd. reassembles. This is in accordance with S. Res. 219 introduced by Senator La Follette in the last session, and passed, calling for a thorough investigation of the matter of unemployment and employment stabilization, and the Institute of Economics is working with the Committee. Elizabeth Eastman, Chairman Annual Report of the Lookout Committee Nov., 1927-Nov., 1928 During the past year the Lookout Committee has made monthly reports, calling the attention of the constituent members of the W. J. C. C. to thirty bills that might conceivable fall within the fields of their respective legislative programs. In the field of Foreign Relations the following measures were noted: The Capper Resolution (S.J.R. 14) for the renunciation of war, and definition of an aggressor nation; The Burton Resolution (H.J.R. 1) prohibiting the exportation of arms, munitions or implements of war to any country engaged in aggressive warfare; The Poison Gas Protocol; The Celler Resolution (H.J.R. 14) defining the status of U. S. delegates and observers at the League of Nations Conferences and Commissions, and arranging for the payment of our share of the expenses of the Conference as well as the expenses of the representatives; The Frothingham Resolution (H.J. Res. 139) prohibiting the use of submarines; The Davenport Resolution (H.R. 87) to ascertain whether the State Department is adequately equipped; The McKellar Resolution (S.J. Res. 75) providing for a conference in Washington for the purpose of codifying international law; The Borah Resolution (S. Res. 137) inquiring into the use of troops in Nicaragua, and similar bills; The Borah Resolution (S. Res. 157) for the recodification of maritime law; The Porter Bill (H.R. 13179) to reorganize the State Department; and The Naval Construction Bill (opposed by one of our organizations). In the field of public health H. R. 11026 was called to the attention of the W. J. C. C. frequently; was supported actively by the American Nurses' Association, and was passed. In the field of child labor and child welfare, the District Child Labor Bill (H.R. 6685) was reported to the W. J. C. C. regularly, supported by several organizations, and passed. -8- The Wheeler bill (S. 3610) to establish a Federal Child Relief Bureau, and the La Guardia bill (H.R. 11986) to relieve the children of the strikers were noted. Special reports were made by members of the Lookout Committee at various meetings, Miss Owen on Muscle Shoals legislation, and Mrs. Lansburg on Immigration measures of relief for separated families. The League of Women Voters was actively supporting the Norris Muscle Shoals resolution (S. J. Res. 46) and the Council of Jewish Women, National Board of the Y. W. C. A.'s and the Women's Trade Union League worked actively on H. R. 234 for the relief of separated families. A special report was also made on the bills for registration of lobbyists - the Caraway bill (S. 1095); the Griffin bill (H.R. 423); the Schafer bill (H.R. 6098) and H.R. 7202 sponsored by Representative Browne of Wisconsin. The Lookout Committee also reported the status of the Norris "lame duck" Amendment (S. J. R. 47) and the Wadsworth-Garrett and so-called Equal Rights Amendment, as well as the Capper Uniform Marriage and Divorce Amendment (S. J. Res. 35). The Kindred bill (H.R. 26) for the investigation by the Federal Trade Commission of the distribution and sale of bread, and of the flour industry was reported. The Woman's Police Bureau measure (S. 1907 and H. R. 6664), and the Jones-Dyer District Suffrage bills (S. J. Res. 8 and H. J. Res. 18) were district measures reported by the Lookout Committee. Elizabeth Eastman, Chairman. Report of the Follow-Up Committee There did not seem to be occasion for any special activity on the part of the Follow-up Committee during the past year. The interests of the Sheppard-Towner Act were being well looked after by the Sub-Committee. No new developments arose in the status of the Child Labor Amendment and at a special luncheon in February of the previous year the history of the Independent Citizenship Act had been reviewed. Alice L. Edwards, Chairman. Annual Report of Sub-Committee on a Department of Education Charl Williams, Chairman Since the campaign in behalf of the Education Bill during the last year has not been aggressive one but one of educating public opinion in and out of the profession as to the need for this legislation, few meetings of the sub-committee on a Department of Education were held. Hence the chairman cannot make a formal report of committee activities but asks to -9- have inserted in the minutes a report of some interesting developments in the work for the creation of a Department of Education. During the recent political campaign the reorganization of the executive departments of the government played a prominent part. Both presidential candidates made specific pledges to effect such a reorganization if elected. Their statements on this subject follow: Smith--"If the people commission me to do it, I shall with the aid of Congress effect a real reorganization and consolidation of governmental activities upon a business basis and institute the real economy which comes from prudent expenditure." Hoover--"Our Republican Presidents have repeatedly recommended to Congress....that a great reduction could be made in governmental expenditure and more consistent and continued national policies could be developed if we could secure the grouping of these agencies devoted to one major purpose under single responsibility and authority. I have had the good fortune to be able to carry out such reorganization in respect to the Department of Commerce. The results have amply justified its expansion to other departments, and I should consider it an obligation to enlist the support of Congress to effect it." In every scheme so far suggested for general reorganization of the executive departments creation of a Department of Education has been provided, even though it has seemed expedient to link the proposed new department up with some other interest, such as "science", "welfare", "health" or "relief." In view of the organizing and engineering ability of Mr. Hoover and in view of the fact that in his work as secretary of the Department of Commerce he has developed a rather new technic in carrying on this function of the federal government, there is ever reason to believe that Mr. Hoover will be in sympathy with a reorganization of the educational activities of the government. Both Representative Daniel Alden Reed and Dr. William M. Davidson, chairman of the Legislative Commission of the National Education Association, consulted with Mr. Hoover before the Republican Convention. They felt satisfied with his attitude toward a Department of Education. INCREASED APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF EDUCATION: An additional appropriation of $225,000 to the Bureau of Education for the purpose of carrying on a specific study of secondary schools now seems probable. A bill providing for such an appropriation was presented to the Committee on Education of the House of Representatives at the hearing on the Education Bill in April, 1928, by Dr. Charles R. Mann, director of the American Council on Education. At the same time a committee from the North Central Association of College and Secondary Schools headed by Dr. Charles H. Judd, director of the School of Education of the University of Chicago, testified regarding the need for research in secondary education. While the bill was not introduced in Congress, it gave the Committee on Education a definite illustration of the -10- type of educational research needed and its approximate cost. President Coolidge included in his annual message to Congress on December 4 a recommendation that an appropriation be made for this research. Such an appropriation is included in the Appropriations Bill for the Department of the Interior. It has been reported favorably to the House of Representatives and Congressman Louis C. Cramton, Michigan, who has the matter in charge assures me that it will pass that body. This appropriation will be a forward step looking toward the creation of a Department of Education for it will provide an outstanding example of what is needed in educational research. INCREASING PUBLICITY FOR THE EDUCATION BILL: Leading newspapers and magazines continue to support the creation of a Department of Education in their editorial and news columns. The Associated Press through their various papers has given publicity to the measure. The Successful Farming magazine, one of the leading farm papers of the country, carried in its September issue an editorial favoring the creation of a Department of Education. Inasmuch as farm papers have not heretofore given their support to this movement, the recognition thus accorded by this paper was particularly encouraging. The Food Housekeeping magazine for October carried a full page editorial on "National Education"Which urged the creation of a Department of Education. Many state teachers' associations and national organizations supporting the Education Bill have been generous in the space which they have given to articles and editorials on the measure in their official publications and in the time which they have given for the consideration of this measure on their convention programs. -11- Report on the Vocational Bill. The George-Reed Bill providing increased funds for vocational education in agriculture and home economics passed the Senate last spring and was reported favorably out of committee in the House. However, opposition to the bill on the part of the floor leader and the chairman of the rules committee prevented its being placed on the calendar. Friends of the bill are hoping that a more favorable attitude may be developed and that the bill may come to vote this winter. Alice L. Edwards. ----------------------------------- Annual Report of the Women's World Court Committee. The activity of the Women's World Court Committee during the past year has been centered upon the Gillett resolution (S. Zes. 139) which was introduced in the Senate February 6, 1928. The resolution is as follows: Whereas the Senate on January 27, 1926, by a vote of seventy-six to seventeen gave its advice and consent to the adherence of the United States to the Permanent Court of International Justice, upon certain conditions and with certain reservations; and Whereas the signatory States in transmitting their replies referred to "such further exchange of views as the Government of the United States may think useful": Therefore be it Resolved, That the Senate of the United States respectfully suggests to the President the advisability of a further exchange of views with the signatory States in order to establish whether the differences between the United States and the signatory States can be satisfactorily adjusted. No action was taken on the resolution by the Foreign Relations Committee, though it was considered during several sessions. Senator Gillett's illness in the spring may have had something to do with the lack of action by the Committee, but the principal reason probably was the desire of both parties to avoid discussion of the subject just before the election. Senator Gillett's position is that the State Department cannot reply to the notes of the signatory Powers without some expression of opinion by the Senate. The purpose of this resolution is to record that opinion. Though no action was taken on the resolution, two speeches were]made upon it on the floor of the Senate - one by Senator Reed of Pennsylvania in opposition and the reply by Senator Gillett. The latter believes that the discussion cleared the air and in some degree reflects the Senate attitude. However, until the President's announcement on Saturday, he intended to press for action upon his resolution during the coming session, and on May 23rd and the Foreign Relations Committee agreed to make the resolution -12- Annual Report of the Women's World Court Committee--Cont'd. the order of business at its first meeting after the opening of the session. The Women's World Court Committee supported the resolution and attempted to secure enough expressions of opinion from the organizations to convince the Foreign Relations Committee that the Women's organizations were still solidly behind United States' participation in the World Court. The Committee did not, however, believe that it was wise to make any very active campaign for a favorable report on the resolution. It took the position that the introduction of the resolution and the discussion on it had served the purpose and that a debate in the Senate just before election might result in more harm than good. An effort was also made to discover the attitude of the State Department. Unofficial assurances were given that the Department was eager to open negotiations when the situation justified it, but found the Gillett resolution unnecessary and rather embarrassing. Last Saturday, November 24, at a breakfast at the White House with a group of Republican Senators President Coolidge announced that he intended to reopen negotiations with the Signatory Powers with the hope of securing from them acceptance of the Senate reservations. It is believed in some quarters that informal negotiations have already begun and that there is a prospect of such a clarification of the reservations that the United States' participation may result. The President made it evident that he is anxious to have accomplished this before the end of his term. Under these circumstances, Senator Gillett will not press for immediate action upon his resolution. He will not withdraw it but will hold it in abeyance pending the outcome of these negotiations. Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Laura Puffer Morgan, Chairman. WOMEN'S JOINT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE To the Representatives on the Women's Joint Congressional Committee: In accordance with the decision of the Women's Joint Congressional Committee at its December meeting, the Committee appointed to outline a project for discovering how the constituent organizations function in regard to Federal legislation and to inquire into methods of influencing legislation in Congress, submits to the representatives on the W. J. C. C. the following questionnaire in the belief that the digest of answers from the national organizations forming the W. J. C. C. will provide data of interest to the organizations and perhaps serve as a basis for the formulation of sound principles for the guidance of organizations engaged in promoting legislative programs. The questionnaire is in two parts, the first on Practical Procedure in Federal Legislative Work which may be answered by the representative on the Committee, or if she prefers, filled in at the headquarters office; and the second, addressed especially to the representatives on the W. J. C. C., inquiring for their opinions. Please return the completed questionnaires to the secretary of the Committee, Miss Marguerite Owen, 17 & F Streets, Washington, D. C., in time to be digested before the January meeting. HELEN ATWATER ELIZABETH EASTMAN MARGUERITE OWEN HARLEAN JAMES, Chairman December 7, 1928. WOMEN'S JOINT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE QUESTIONNAIRE 1 PRACTICAL PROCEDURE IN FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE WORK Name of organization?__________________________________________________________ Official headquarters located?___________________________________________________ Number of members?___________________________________________________________ How many local organizations in cities and towns?_____________________________ in States?________________________________________________________________________ Does the Organization hold an annual Convention? _______Time of year?_______ biennial Convention? ______Time of year?________________________________________ Have all Members voting rights at conventions?_________________________________ If not, how are delegates chosen?________________________________________________ Are legislative policies determined at the Convention?___________________________ by small executive group?_________________________________________________________ Is there a chairman on legislation? ________How appointed?______________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Is there a committee on legislation? _______How appointed?_____________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Us there a member of the headquarters staff particularly active in legislation?__ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Is there a definite sum of money set aside for legislative work?__________________ How are the representative and alternate on the W. J. C. C. chosen?_____________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Is the representative usually Chairman of the Committee on Legislation?________ LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM Does the organization cover a special field?_______________________________________ If so, outline subjects covered?_____________________________________________________ Does the organization confine its legislation to its special field?___________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Does it endorse measures which clearly would not fall within the field of the organization? ________________________________________________________________________________________ Are all items of legislation in charge of the Committee on Legislation?______________ Or in charge of the Committee on the subject?_______________________________________ By what process is the legislative program made up?_________________________________ Initiated by whom?____________________________________________________________________ Approved by whom?___________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ Adopted by whom?_____________________________________________________________________ Is the proposed legislative program submitted to local bodies or legislative chairmen prior to the convention?________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Is it presented to the Convention for adoption?________________________________________ Is time for general consideration allowed before action is taken?______________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ QUESTIONNARE 1 page 2 PRACTICAL PROCEDURES IN FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE WORK METHODS OF LEGISLATIVE WORK Does the organization divide its legislative program into: 1. Measures in which it takes the initiative? 2. Measures which it approves but on which it takes no action except at the request of the organization in charge? For 1928-29 what measures would fall in Class 1? What measures would fall in Class 2? Is preliminary study of measures made before they are adopted? By special committees? By legislative committee? By officers? By Board? By study classes in general membership? What means are used to keep the membership informed concerning reasons for and against the measures on the program and their status in Congress? By official organ? By form letters to legislative chairmen? local presidents? members at large? By news releases? By pamphlets and other printed matter? By outlines for local programs? Other methods? Are general appeals issued to members asking them to communicate with Congress concerning measures on the legislative program? Are introducers of the bill specified? chairmen and members of committees holding hearing? local representatives in Congress? Are requests for telegrams sent out when bills are before committees? What precautions are taken to insure that communications from members are the result of: 1. Knowledge of history of the bill? 2. Contents of the bill? 3. Reasons for its passage? WOMEN'S JOINT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE QUESTIONNAIRE 2 ADDRESSED ESPECIALLY TO THE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE W.J.C.C: PROCEDURE IN W.J.C.C. MEETINGS Would you like to receive fuller accounts of content and surrounding circumstances of new measures introduced into Congress, through the medium of the Lookout Committee? Have you found service on legislatives committees of the W.J.C.C of practical benefit on the special measures which you are fostering? Can you think of any way in which the W. J. C.C. may be of more services to your organization? FOLLOW-UP Do you make reports to your organization concerning the service and progress of the W.J.C.C.? By articles in your Magazine? By report to your Board? In annual report to members? In other ways? WASHINGTON WORK In measures in which your organization takes the initiative: Do you keep in close touch with the introducers of the bill in Congress? Do you advise with them concerning legislative outlook? Concerning attitude of Members of Congress? Concerning time to ask aid of your members in the States? Concerning the character of the communications which would prove most helpful? Do you visit Members of Congress? Alone? With members of your committee? With members of other organizations? In your opinion is a visit to a Member of Congress more effective when made by: A single person? Two people? Small committee? Large delegation? When your organization is represented in hearings before Congress, do you ordinarily make an oral statement? Present a written statement? Lend your presence? Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.