Voices in Passing

Throughout the National Women's Conference, Houston hummed with talk--pithy and pompous, funny and infuriating, occasionally memorable. Samples:

> Margaret ("Midge") Costanza, public liaison aide to Jimmy Carter: "I felt more important being a woman than being an assistant to the President."

> Liz. Carpenter, former press secretary to Lady Bird Johnson, at a fund raiser for the Equal Rights Amendment, still three votes shy of passage: "If I die, don't send flowers. Just send three more states."

> Gloria Steinem, feminist fatale, at a press conference with black, Hispanic, Asian and native American (Indian and Alaskan) women: "I'm so glad to be here --a token."

> Jean King, chairwoman of Michigan's delegation: "When we got to the hotel the bellhop said, 'Hello, women.' I said, 'You have just doubled your tip.' "

> Karen DeCrow, ex-president, National Organization for Women: "Everybody was saying, 'Why do we have to go through Carter to the Congress? We could be the Congress.' "

> Velma Price, Nebraska delegate: "If I were asked to confine my comments to one sentence I would say: 'Wake up, America, to the forces at work to destroy your family life, the private enterprise system and everything you hold dear as a Christian.' "

> A male traveling salesman, crammed into an elevator with delegates: "What are all you girls doing in town? Shopping?"

> Bella Abzug, conference chairwoman, when asked why there were not more elderly women on hand: "Some of us are older than we look."

> Barbara Jordan, Texas Congresswoman and keynote speaker, after a glowing introduction by Lyndon Johnson's widow: "Thank you, all of you, and thank you, Lady Bird Johnson, for an introduction of which I am worthy."

> Houston cab driver: "I never seen so many women in one place in my life. How come their husbands let them come?"

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