Evening star., 1947-06-24
Women S Federation
Hears Plea 10 Admit
Displaced Persons
By Frances Lide
s.or Stoff Correspondent


NEW YORK, June 24.-An appeal
in behalf of the Stratton bill for
admission of displaced persons to
this country on unused immigration
quotas was made before the General
Federation of Women's Clubs today
as the 56th biennial convention
paved the way for vote on a
controversial resolution supporting
the legislation which is scheduled
for tomorrow.
Mrs. La Fell Dickinson, fedora
ton president, announced that the
other side of the issue. would be
presented tomorrow so the fedora
tion would have an opportunity to
hear both sides before acting.
DR.. Ruth Gruber, author and
lecturer. told the delegates as
sembled at the Commodore Hotel
here ,"they could wake the hearts
of women all over Europe" If they
put their support behind the STRAIT
ton bill. you would become their
big sisters and prove that you are
good neighbors," she declared.
- Conferred With Stratton.
She also told the club women
that those seeking admission in
clude $4,000 domestic employees who
want to come to America to help
us lead better life-"that Is to
make us more comfortable.
DR.. Gruber said she conferred
with Representative Stratton, Re-
publican. Of Illinois sponsor Of the
bill, yesterday and his message to
the convention was plea for the
women to think of displaced per-
sons, not as numbers and figures,
but as human beings who, but for
the grace of God, might be living in
America today.
The convention also heard a
strong appeal in behalf of universal
military training today when Mrs
Dickinson said she has been con-
vinced for some time that universal
military training is the only way to
maintain an A america strong
enough. to discourage any possible
Would-be aggressor and strong
enough to live up to its commit
ments to the United Nations"
Praises Fort Knox Unit.
Praising the UNIT experimental
unit at Fort Knox, she expressed
the opinion a similar program oper-
ated on a national scale would be a
practical solution to the problem OF
juvenile delinquency.
There is a possibility that reso-
luton on universal military train
ing will be presented to the fedora
ton as an emergency measure. Al
its Chicago convention last year
the organization adopted resolu-
ton urging members to study all
proposals providing for adequate
defense of the country and for the
training of men, 50 that an intelli-
gent judgment opuld be made OF
specific measures.
Mrs. j. L. Blair Buck of Richmond
was assured of election as president
of the federation today when nc
additional candidates for the ofHce
as she was presented to the con-
| vention.
Active in Clubs for 21 Years.
Mrs. Buck, whose husband is direc-
tor of teacher training in the Vir-
ginia State Department of Educa-
ton, has two daughters and son
all of them married Active in Vir-
ginia clubwork for 81 years, she has
held top positions in the State Fed
Grafton and is completing a term as
first vice president of the Genera,
Federation.
The convention, which opened
with a dinner last night, is being
high lighted by appeals for members
to take an active part in politics anc
public affairs.
/ Mrs. Dickinson reiterated ar
earlier plea in her annual message
today when she urged the delegates
to work in their political parties
starting in the precinct to "see to il
that we have the kind of candidates
who will support the ideals tha
women stand for"
Mrs. Dickinson revealed yesterda.
that she plans to seek public ofac'
when she retires from the federation
presidency.
I'm going back home and run TO
|, anything I think I can be elected
to-" she told the Federation Junior
at luncheon celebrating their 25tl
! anniversary.
D. C. Representation Urged.
1 A plea for national representa-
!. tion for the District was made be
-Efore the Juniors yesterday by Mrs
j Harvey w. Wiley of Washington
national chairman of legislation.
4 Mrs. Wiley told the group sh
went to prison once to help ge
woman's suffrage. but that. as
resident of the District, she ha
!: never had the right to vote,
i Mrs. Wiley explained that sh
:, was one Of the women jailed fo
ptcketing the White House In l9l
10y