Evening star., 1935-04-14
BY Sable v. H. PICKETT.

Perhaps no talk yet given by Mrs.
Roosevelt over the radio has held more
interest for the general public than
that of Friday night, when she told
of the open door at the Presidents
house. While thousands of mere
sightseeing groups have paraded the
halls and the east rooms of the man
sion this month, this week will break
all previous records. "The Nations
most hospitable home" she calls it,
and if 2,492 broke bread there last
year. more than 5000 are we'll on the
way to break the record in 1885. And
with it all, Mrs. Roosevelt has taught
the housewives of the country that
breaking bread is just that, and not
killing the fatted calf and serving it
on the finest of linen and the hand
soonest of china. 1t is giving simple
repast for hospitalities sake.
This week is Woman'S week in Wash
ington, with thousands of women in
conference, especially at the D. A. r.
annual conference, and it is almost
amusing the social contortions and
gyrations the official women are put
ting on to show their husbands con-
stituents how much they care for
them. Senators wives are giving teas
for the delegates from their husbands
States, State societies are putting on
special teas, dinners, luncheons and
entertainments for them. and both
the Women's Democratic Club and the
League of Republican Women have
out their latch strings to lend the re-
quired zest of politics. However, both
of the latter clubs will be glad to re-
ceive women from various States,
irrespective Of political affiliation.
The women In high offices are much
lr demand at all of the events planned
for visitors and that there are match
less speakers among them was shown
at the big Democratic dinner given at
the Hotel Washington a week ago
when the speeches scintillated with wit
and wisdom. Among the women who
bear special laurelS as fine eXtempora-
neous speakers is Mrs Lucille F. Nc
Millin, civil service commissioner, who
Is always putting something over for
her sex. To a group of members OF
VI
her maiden speech. 1t was when her
late husband. Benton McMillin was
Governor of Tennessee, and she almost
D bride IN the flower of youth. The
Governor insisted on having his
woman secretary follow him into Office,
and after considerable controversy the
politicians of the State granted it.
However, the little lady was to have a
much reduced salary, far less than
that paid to her man predecessor.
Very much reduced. Mrs. McMillin
asked leave to intercede for her sex
and finally was asked to speak before
the statesmen on the subject. She sat
in the Speakers chair and gave her
reasons lucidly, briefly and eloquently
and the lady secretary received the
She held the position through many
administrations.
Then, Mrs. McMillin has a special
method in speaking. She seeks out a
sympathetic listener in the audience
and receives her inspiration from that
source. When on one occasion she
looked into the tense eyes of one
woman of her audience she spoke with
unusual eloquence. After the meet
ing the women crowded in line to con-
gratulate her and while she was cor
dial, she waited and watched for her
signal light" to approach. At last
she came. There was that same
searching, tense gaze and while Mrs.
McMillin was waiting to hear some
thing besides the superlative COM
mendation already meted out to her,
her tense listener said: Il have been
watching that loose hairpin at the side
Of your head. Would you mind push
Ing it in?'
Representative Caroline O'Day,