Evening star., 1939-01-15
Miss Gertrude Warren Soon
To Be Decorated by Lotvio
Home Economist
To Be Rewarded
For 4-H Work
By HILMAR BAUKHAGE.

When. within the next few weeks.
q shining maltese cross, spangled
with three tiny stars, is proffered to
q Washington lady, one more thread
will be woven into the cord of SYM
pathy that links the United States
with the little-known nation Of
Latvia.
The lady is Gertrude Warren,
home economist in the All work of
the Extension Service Of the De-
partment of Agriculture. She won't
be able to accept the decoration un-
til Congress passes bill permitting
it, or until she retires, as the Con-
stitution forbids Government en-
ployes from accepting ANY valuable
thing" from foreign state or ruler.
However, eventually, along with the
King of England and other distin-
guished personages, she will be
allowed to wear the cross of the
Order of Three Stars, which is
Latvias highest civil order.
Presentation to Be Made.
Meanwhile, official presentation
will take place in advance at the
Latvian Legation soon, even though
the medal must rest in the safe of
the State Department where all
such gifts are kept until they can
legally be turned over to their re-
cipients.
Other Washingtonians have re-
ceived the cross, including Col. Will
liam Shipp, former military attache
In Riga, and Stanley Smith, Wash
ington lawyer and legal adviser to
the Legation here. Others are
scheduled to receive the decoration
when Miss Warren gets hers, in
cluding Representative Sol Bloom,
DR.. Richman Brooks and DR.. F.
Turosienski of the Department of
Interior. But Miss Warren is the
only woman ever to have been so
,honored.
Story Linked TO Award.
There is another thing, too, that
makes Miss Warren's award an in
teresting event-a story linked with
the rebirth of Latvia. Twenty years
ago the man who is now President
of Latvia, Carl Ulmanis, was already
well acquainted with America. AS
q leader in the movement for inde-
pendence, he had to flee the country
when it was under the rule Of the
Russian Car. He lived in Nebraska;
developed keen interest in Ameri-
can methods, especially those which
he felt might some day help his
country. Since Latvia is go per cent
agricultural. things pertaining to
agriculture interested him particu-
larly.
The World War resulted in Lat
Wan independence and finally the
election OF Mr. Ulmanis as President.
His interest in American agricul-
ture continuing, the success of the
All movement in this country was
noted. Ten years ago similar organ
tzations were formed among the
farm boys and girls in Latvia. The
movement has grown until in that
country OF less than 1000 900 popu-
iauon the organization has more
than 10000 members.
Teaching of Adults.
Miss Warren's work centered
chiefly about the programs for Young
farm people in this country between
,tne ages OF 10 and 81, also extended
% foreign countries; hence the rec
ognitloh from Latvia to one who
has been carrying. on All Club work
Two years longer than the present
LAVA has been a nation
Or. Alfred Bilmanis, the present
MlAlster, has been very active in
stlmulating a mutual interest among
All here.
Abroad the programs are adapted
70 the needs and the customs of the
various nations, but one principle
especially cultivated in Latvia ac-
cording to Mr.. Bilmanis, is the
teaching of the adults through the
children. a part of the function of
the 4-H clubs. besides making the