https://hiddenhistoriesut.org/files/original/3924fa627b4ce3c763867ca36dda553b.JPG c045e4a95384f2910654b4e3d4d29c56 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Legality of Contraceptives in America in the 1930s Description An account of the resource Correspondence describing the legality of contraceptives in America between the 1930s-1940s, with a specific focus on the American Birth Control League. Subject The topic of the resource Birth Control--Attitudes Birth Control--Government Policy Birth Control--Political Aspects Birth Control--U.S. States Birth Control--Population Control Contraceptives--Marketing Obscenity (Laws)--U.S. States Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document File Am. Birth Control League LEGAL STATEMENT From a survey of the law as construed and administered today, it is evident that physicians may legally give contraceptives advice and treatment whenever they deem it medically indicted. As construed in recent decisions, the federal law do not prohibit the mailing of contraceptive supplies and information to physicians, or to other persons upon a physician’s direction, for medical use, [wherever such use is not forbidden by the state law.] The laws of 40 states do not interfere with the use of contraceptives in medical practice. And according to legal opinion, the restrictions which the other 8 states impose in their laws upon the distribution of contraceptive supplies and information do not apply to medical use by physicians. Administrators of the law evidently concur in this opinion, for they permit physicians to give contraceptives advice and treatment in office and clinic. (Version as dictated by Mr. McWilliams over telephone at 3:30 on May 7th and revised at 3:55. Final) May 13/1936 Mr. Ernst, I telephoned to your secretary about the above today, and would like to speak to you hopefully tomorrow morning about it Yours _____ W___ J McWilliams Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Correspondence on Mailing Contraceptives in America Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mr. McWilliam Subject The topic of the resource Birth Control--Attitudes Birth Control--Government Policy Birth Control--U.S. States Contraceptives--Marketing Obscenity (Laws)--U.S. States Description An account of the resource Legal statement outlining the legality of selling or mailing contraceptives in America by anyone other than a physician. Mr. McWilliams confirmed that it was illegal to do so if one is not a physician by state law, but federal law allows giving information about contraceptives to physicians. He also gives his legal opinion on the law and its future. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1936-05-07 1936-05-13 Language A language of the resource English Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Container 198.8, Item Title: Series II, Legal Cases and Causes, General Correspondence 1937-1938, American Birth Control League. Collection: Morris Leopold Ernst Papers, Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Paper correspondence with typed ink and pencil, 12X8 inches Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Harry Ransom Center Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This electronic resource is made available by the University of Texas Libraries solely for the purposes of research, teaching and private study. This material is made available for education and research purposes only. The creator of this exhibit does not own the rights for these items; it cannot grant or deny permission to use this material. Copyright law protects unpublished as well as published materials. It is your responsibility to determine the rights status and secure whatever permission may be needed for the use of any item. Due to the nature of archival collections, rights information may be incomplete or out of date. We welcome updates or corrections. Upon request, we'll remove material from public view while we address a rights issue.