The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-14

welt are described in the fOllowin
 Naturally the First Lady's press sessions lack the importance which attaches to those of the Presi- dent. He is head of the National government and she is not. But although interest in her arises primarily from the fact that she is the Presidents wife, neverthe- less Mrs. Rooseyelt's vivid person. ality and broad humanitarianism, make her an outstanding rival.
 Unlike the Presidents gather-
 ings, which are open to all ac-
 credited correspondents, Mrs.
 Ro0seyeIt's are limited only to
 women. As result there are
 rarely more than thirty present,
 practically all of them adoring friends of the First Lady. These
 two factors, g small group plus
 personal ties, make for another
 major difference between the
 two conferences.
 MT. Roosevelt's meetings are un- precedented in their informality, but the atmosphere of Mrs. Roose- velt's is more than just informal. It is intimate in the sense of be- ing gathering of devoted friends.
 When the President faces the press, it is strictly a business proposition. The correspondents are there for news and nothing else. He knows that and acts accordingly. But when Mrs. Roosevelt meets the press, she is up against a far less hard-boiled professional environment. Her conferees are her friends first and reporters afterwards.
 Friendly Protectors
 The "girls" are always on the alert to protect her from 8 slip of the tongue or an incautious comment.
 Mrs. Roosevelt is an outspoken person and when she feels strong ly on a subject she is addicted to a frankness that would blaze headlines across the nation.
 "That is ridiculous" she will remark about some incident.
 Whereup0n her loyal devotees immediately caution: You mean 'fegrettable', don't you. Mrs. Roosevelt?"
 "Yes, thank you, I think that would be better," she replies, beaming gratefully.
 This loving protectiveness never fails. If the First Lady makes a statement about a controversial issue that mgiht cause embarrass- ing headlines, one of her feminine cohorts will break in meaningly: "Can we quote you on that, Mrs. Roosevelt"
 Since everything at her confer- ence is quotable unless otherwise specified, this inquiry is 8 warn- ing signal, always needed hastily by Mrs. Roosevelt.
 Monroe Room
 Mrs. Roosevelt's press conference takes place in the Monroe room on the second floor of the White House.
 A large, sunny chamber, it was used for Cabinet meetings by President Johnson, and the treaty of peace with Spain was signed there. On either side of the beau tiful fireplace hang portraits of President and Mrs. Monroe. Re- maining wall space is covered with many pictures of famous sailing vessels, while there is 6 glass-en- closed bookcase filled with the works of Lowell, Longfellow, Crane, Hawthorne, Melville, Mark Twain. In 8 corner stands mas- sive grand piano with 8 vase of cut flowers.
 Before being admitted to the conference room, the newsWomen assemble in the Green Room on the first floor. They are of all ages, and from newspapers of varying size and political faith. At a recent press conference attend ed by 27 women, 13 were married, five were wives of newspaper re- porters, seven had children and three had grandchildren.
 Among the most faithful of Mrs. RO0sevelt's newspaper friends are Winifred Mallon of the New York Times; Ruby Black of La Democracia Gin Puerto Rico) and a group of dailies in Winconsin, New York and Massachusetts; May Craig, representing several Maine pa pers; Martha Strayer of The Washington News; and Mary
 HOrnaday of The Christian Science Monitor.
 No TardineSS
 The Presidents press con- ferences frequently begin late, but not his wife's. Promptly at the appointed hour, a colored attend ant unhooks the plush rope sep- arating the residential part of the White House from that part which visitors may view, and the Ladies of the Press go up the nCp THE DECnDn