ERA strikers eat again after defeat Illinois

Stunned by defeat in the Illinois House, seven women fasting for the Equal Rights Amendment Wednesday ended their hunger strike in their 37th day without food.

While they called their fast a success, they conceded Tuesday's defeat in the House proved the ERA is dead for now. Said group leader Sonia Johnson: ''Perhaps we have lost a battle, but we know we are going to win the war.''

In Washington, ERA supporters in Congress said they will start all over again by reintroducing the amendment July 14 after Congress returns from its Independence Day recess.