Since 1944, in 14 national conventions, each of the platforms of the maj political parties has included an equal rights for women plank. Last year, the House of Representatives passed the equal rights amendment by 350 to 154 total of 83 Senators co-sponsored the resolution in this body, including seven the nine members of the Rules Committee. Only dilatory tactics prevented over whelming passage of the amendment in the Senate.

I well recall the almost unanimous support that was given on the floor of the Senate to the principle of equal employment opportunities for women.

Do we wish now to appear hypocritical? Do we want to tell the American pu lic that equality is sacred everywhere but on the Senate floor?

I certainly do not, and I am sure that a majority of the members of the Senat would agree.

Over the past two years, I have made an effort to determine the rationale fo discriminating against female pages. I have been told by the Sergeant at Aru that the policy-not the rule, but the policy-is based on what are termed "cer tain practical considerations."

Let us examine these "considerations," as they were outlined to me in a lette from Robert G. Dunphy, the Sergeant at Arms. I quote from Mr. Dunphy's letter "There is a great deal of heavy, bulky material to be carried between the Capitol and the office buildings, much walking and even running at times. I als think the hours would be too taxing on young girls-starting classes at 6:30 am and often remaining on duty until late in the evening. However, the physic facilities of the Senate Chamber and the Cloakrooms do not lend themselves: the adjustment which, in my opinion, would be necessary." Mr. Chairman, these arguments simply do not hold water.

I have been here four years and I have rarely seen a page carrying anything heavier than a message or a few Congressional Records. I have talked with se eral of the boy pages and have yet to find one who feels that the physical mands of the work should preclude the employment of girls. Moreover, as the father of a teen-age daughter, I believe I can state with some confidence th girls in this age group have no shortage of stamina.

I cannot speak for my Democratic colleagues, but I do know that women e ployees of the Senate have always had access to the Republican cloakroom, an that there has never been any problem.

When Mr. Dunphy speaks of the "physical facilities" of the Senate Chamber I assume he is making a euphemistic reference to the washrooms. It is certain true that girl pages would not be able to enter the men's washrooms in sear of Senators, but I do not regard this as a problem of any consequence. After a none of the boy pages has ever been permitted to enter the women's washroom and this has not prevented our distinguished colleague from Maine, Mrs. Smit from compiling one of the best voting records in the Senate.

Two other arguments, which were not raised by Mr. Dunphy in his letter: me, have more validity, but I believe that they have been solved in Miss MeCe nell's case, and I am sure they could be solved for other young women.

The first involves housing for girl pages. I am pleased to be able to report th we have been able to find pleasant and comfortable accommodations for Mi McConnell within a short distance of the Capitol. Her parents have inspected he quarters and have approved them.

The second-and by far the most serious-argument that could be raise against the appointment of girl pages is based on the very real crime probe that exists in the Capitol Hill area. I would be the last member of the Senate take the crime problem lightly, but I have discussed this question with Elle parents and I believe that mutually satisfactory arrangements have been mad Several of the boy pages have agreed to accompany Ellen to and from her quarte each morning and evening.

I might note, Mr. Chairman, that last week I read a newspaper story tellin of a crime being committed in a monastery. We know that many crimes occur the home. Crime is a fact of life-an unfortunate fact, but a fact nonetheless. certainly believe that we must take every reasonable precaution to insure t safety of our pages-as we have done in Ellen's case-but we cannot let ourselve be paralyzed by fear.

It requires no special perception to observe that the real issue here today tradition, something which means a great deal to those of us who are privile to serve in this institution. Without many of the inherited patterns of behavi

that are so characteristic of this body, we would not be able to function nearly so well as we do.

But there comes a time when it is apparent that we should break with certain traditions. Not all of our ancient practices are venerable-or even neutral. Simply because we have always had boy pages is not sufficient reason for retaining this discriminatory practice.

Mr. Chairman, I urge this subcommittee to recommend that young women, as well as young men, be given the right to observe the processes of democracy on the floor of the Senate. If our commitment to equality for women has substance, we can demonstrate that fact by allowing Ellen McConnell and the young women who will inevitably follow her to Washington to serve as girl pages.

If the Rules Committee is unwilling now to recommend a permanent break with tradition, let me ask that the Committee at least agree to a change in policy for a six-month trial period. If, for some reason that I cannot foresee, girl pages prove incapable of doing their assigned work adequately, the old policy could then be restored.

Mr. Chairman, in closing, I wish to urge that a decision on the question of girl pages be made as promptly as possible in order to spare Miss McConnell any additional uncertainty. I further request that Miss McConnell be allowed to enroll in the page school immediately, in order that she will not fall further behind in her studies while her appointment is being considered.

Thank you.

Senator CANNON. You stated that you have drawn up certain rules to assist in the security of the young lady if she is appointed. I wonder if you would make a copy of those rules available to us, because they might be very helpful to us in considering rules that we might decide to draw up for the benefit of all of these young people who are serving.

Senator PERCY. I would be very happy to do so. And I might say, Mr. Chairman, I have had Superintendent Powell in, not on this occasion, but a year or two ago, to talk to all of the women in my office to advise them of the rights and privileges they have, because many of my staff members work after dark, to see what security rights they have, and what courtesies can be extended by the Capitol police to women employees to help them to get to their cars, et cetera. And I will be happy to make those rules that we have worked out with Miss McConnell available to the committee.

Senator CANNON. Fine.

(The guidelines established by Senator Percy for the security of Miss Ellen McConnell, whom he wishes to appoint as a Senate page, are as follows:)

1. Do not walk alone outside the Senate Office Building or Capitol without an escort (a policeman, a Percy or Senate staff member or an adult escort) before sunup or after sundown.

2. Even during the daylight hours, do not stray beyond the area specifically under police jurisdiction alone.

3. In the event you need transportation, call for a taxi to pick you up, or arrange private transportation in advance.

4. Do not leave your residence, other than to attend school or work, without leaving indication of where you are, with whom, and at what hour you will return.

5. If you are ill, or experience any emergency situation, call one of the following at once: Senator Percy, Nadine Jacobsen, Joe Farrell, Claudia Bourne, Anne Duncan. Lucille Paaske, (Telephone numbers attached but deleted for record purposes.)

Senator CANNON. Do you feel that the Senate or a Senator should assume responsibility for the well-being and the security of the pages, personal responsibility?

Senator PERCY. I do.

Senator CANNON. And you are willing to assume that responsibility. I take it?

Senator PERCY. I fully assume that responsibility as if it were my own daughter. In fact, we almost look on her as a member of the family

now.

Senator CANNON. What duty do you think the Senate or a Senator should assume in providing proper housing for these young pages! Senator PERCY. I think it is their responsibility to see that there is adequate housing. This is not a responsibility much different from that when other young women come to Washington to work in my office. Some of the original employees in my office came from Illinois, and had worked in my campaign before. And I made certain they had adequate housing when they came here. And we have had no problem in that respect. I would assume full responsibility, particularly in the case of a young woman sixteen and a half years old, to make certain that her housing accommodations were proper and right.

Senator CANNON. What do you feel about the present age limit; the Senate has an age limit of 14 and the House has one of 16, and there have been suggestions that pages be college students?

Senator PERCY. I would prefer to see the 16 age level, not only because of the duties and responsibilities, but because I like to see young pages given increasing responsibilities. When I let the pages get someone on the telephone for me I tell the page who it is that I am calling and why it is important that they let me know immediately when they have placed the call, I have tried to expand their duties. I have always invited our young pages into our full staff meetings, they are always welcome to come over to the office whenever they do not have other duties. And Miss McConnell has read I don't know how many thousands of letters from Illinois constituents now in her training program. We try to work out a full program for pages as well as other employees. Senator CANNON. You heard my discussion with Senator Javits concerning the fact that the Reorganization Act provides for a Capito page dormitory and classroom. I take it that you would support that proposition and the attempt to have one provided by the Senate?

Senator PERCY. I would. Though not necessary or essential, I think that it would be desirable. There is a tradition of families who offer housing for pages. But I think it would probably be a justifiable expense considering the turnover, and particularly considering in my case that I insist on rotating. Every page I have ever had wanted to stay the whole year, and I simply felt that wasn't fair-we should have three a year. It is too great an experience to not allow as many as we can possibly have to share it.

Senator CANNON. Senator Allen?

Senator ALLEN. Senator Percy, I want to commend you and Senator Javits on your very persuasive presentation of your case. I am certain both of you have chosen excellent candidates in the event of the Senate electing to change the rule or departing from tradition.

I was wondering, since we are considering the whole matter of the page system, what you think of the compensation at the rate of $7,380 for pages for a year, which is much more than many millions of heads of families in this country make? What would be your recommendation about that salary?

Senator PERCY. I have had the feeling, Senator Allen, that some pages were overpaid, particularly early in the session, now, when we come in at noon and we go out at 3 or 4 in the afternoon. At such times it is a boring job, and I would not want to be a page right now. Later in the session, when these young people are up before 6, and many of them at 4:30 and 5, to study for class, and in school at 6:30, on the floor at 9:30 or 10, and leaving with us at 11 or 12 at night, I would like to see the wages per hour. I suspect it is well below the legal minimum at that particular stage. But I have never heard a page complain. They love to work. They like the extra duty. And this is why I have always said to my pages, the moment you are free from your work I want you to know you are welcome in my - office to work. And I have never had a young page not want to come in and say, what work can I do in that office.

I rotate pages three times a year. They pay their transportation from and to Illinois. That is a couple of hundred dollars. And they have their living expenses. And if I counted the cost of Dr. McConnell taking time away from his practice to be down here several times now paying his airline fare-but I have never heard anyone ever mention cost in this respect. And I do not think if we cut it in half we would ever have any fewer applications. This is one of the most. remarkable experiences a young person can have. I tend to think it is a little high, considering the overall balance. But it is low for some and high for others, considering the time of year they have

to serve.

Senator ALLEN. Would you mind telling us what you pay Miss McConnell for her duties there in your office at this time?

Senator PERCY. She is on at the rate that I said she would be compensated on as a page.

Senator ALLEN. I see.

Senator PERCY. And I would say, considering the salary levels in the office, considering the workload that she is carrying--she is doing the work of a 20- and 21-year-old efficiently, swiftly, competently, and cheerfully. And she is a joy to have around.

Senator ALLEN. Since you suggest that there is a principle involved here as to whether employment with the U.S. Senate, or with the Federal Government, shall be denied to ladies, what would you think about the other matters, other positions of patronage that Senators have? As a very junior Senator I have not had the privilege of naming any pages in the Senate, and I have not been confronted with the thought of whether I should name a girl page or not. But I was wondering if you would then extend it to elevator operators and the security force here at the Senate wing of the Capitol?

Senator PERCY. Without any question. And let us start with the most difficulty, security forces. I have no doubt, having been an old police boy for years myself, that women traffic police, women taking care of parking, could do an adequate job. In fact, I think sometimes a better job. Already certain types of security where it would be better. probably, for men. But elevator operators-I think the appearance of these two young women would spruce up our elevators a great deal, we might even find them in greater demand. There is no reason in the world that young women could not perform as elevator operators. And

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these are young men, essentially college students, graduate students. whom I see. This is an experience that women ought to have. There are women right now over at George Washington University that would like to come over and work here in the Capitol. And they should not be discriminated against.

But, Senator Allen, to let you know that I am a purist and back it up with my vote, when the amendment came on the floor of the Senate to amend or cripple the equal rights bill by exempting women from the draft, I voted against it. If they want equality, they had better have it all the way. And they should be drafted right along with the men. In fact, I have long advocated getting away from this cheap-conscripted labor that we have in our military forces and let the military pay adequate wages. There are tens of thousands of jobs in the military that women should have and could do more competently many times than men, and we would not have such a big draft call if we would permit more women to go into those jobs.

Senator ALLEN. Now, once that matter has been decided, and assuming that it is decided in favor of allowing young ladies to be em ployed as pages

Senator PERCY. I am encouraged, Senator Allen.

Senator ALLEN. Would you then move into the other areas that I have inquired about, to open those up for women?

Senator PERCY. Well, I made very clear at the outset, Senator Dirksen restricted my patronage responsibilities to one page. And I do not have the power of appointment of elevator operators, or security, or whatever it may be. But I believe in principle, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. I would say if any Senator wants to ap point a woman elevator operator he ought to have that privilege and right, and there ought to be no restrictions whatever.

Senator ALLEN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Senator CANNON. You have no patronage spots in the post office. or on the elevators, or the police, any of those areas, Senator?

Senator PERCY. No, sir, every year as I sit in the Senate I learn more things I do not have. But I have no other privileges of appointment. But certainly for those Senators who have the seniority, I would hope they would have the privilege of appointing whomever they felt would be qualified. And to restrict half the population cuts down the number of qualified applicants we could have for literally almost any job.

Senator ALLEN. One suggestion that you made as an alternate way of handling the matter would be to authorize this change for 6 months. And the Senator has in mind that that would be sort of like setting up some of those committees that we have set up on a temporary basis that seem to last on for year after year after year. That would be the Senator's thought on that, would it not?

Senator PERCY. Well, I will admit it is a way of sort of putting our foot in the door and then squeezing it open a little bit wider. But I believe in evolution rather than a revolution. And if the earth-shaking decision we are faced with is too difficult and we cannot bite the full bullet all the way on this one, then in the spirit of the legislative process I am willing to be a compromiser in this regard. I have an obligation to this young woman. I will just feel terrible if she goes