Evening star., 1950-02-12


the wife of John D. Battle. execu-
tive vice president of the National
Coal Association. She also is the
editorial supervisor of documents
and publications released by the
Practitioners Association, with its
present roster of $500 members,
who appear in behalf of shippers,
railroads, motor carriers, water
carriers and freight forwarders.
Since 1888, the date of it's first
publication, she has been the
managing editor of her associa-
tion's official publication. the
Interstate Commerce Commission
Practitioners Journal. The Su-
preme Court has recognized this
journal in several opinions deal
ing with transportation problems.
It's subscribers include constantly
increasing number of colleges and
universities in the United States.
Mrs. McDonough is one of two
women in the United States to
hold such a position. The other
is Mrs. Olive G.. Kicker, executive
secretary of the American Bar AS
sociation. Chicago.
Was First Secretary.
She was the Interstate Com
merce Commission Practitioners
Association first and only secre-
tarial employe. She took down in
shorthand and typed the first Of
fetal letter which it sent out. To-
day it's president is Roland Rice.
assistant general counsel of the
Association of American Railroads,
who heads an Executive Commit
tee of nine members. five Of
whom live in this city. Others are
John r. Turney, first vice presi-
dent; R. Granville Curry. Harry
c. Ames and Charles E. Bell,
treasurer.
Now that the association has
is active committees working
constantly. as we'll as Is regional
chapters located over the country.
one of her daily. self-imposed
''musts" is a perusal of the Con-
gressional Record while Congress
is in session. The result is that
when the Office door opens to
admit an association member from
Texas, California. Maine or Flor
ida, or anywhere else, she has at
her finger tips the necessary an
giles of information as to pending
legislation affecting them. She
is also a compendium of useful
knowledge on how to secure gov
ernmental reports dealing with
transportation from the various
agencies, as well as Congress.
Ten to one she will be able to
give a composite of what they
contain, such is the accuracy of
her Photographic memory. Care
full file and cross-file references,
however, are always available to
safeguard her oral digests with
their accuracy. Masterpieces in
their field are the charts which
she has prepared showing the or
ganization and current functions
of the major activities of the In
terstate Commerce Commission
with its ii bureaus and 2,143 en-
ployes, which has practicing be-
fore it today the Nations out
standing lawyers and traffic
officials.
Advice to Young Women.
OF the present scope of her
duties in comparison with her
initial job with the association
20 years ago, she humorously and
modestly says, Il am like Topsy,
suppose. just 'growed up along
with its fascinating and chal-
lenging horizons and responsible
ties. It takes all one has to give
in exacting detail, but on the
other hand it is of such absorbing
interest I take homework along
with me from the Office during
rush times"
If this successful woman career
ist in a secretarial post of far
reaching Importance and wide
ramifications has any advice for
young women starting out as be-
ginners in secretarial positions, it
/ is: Take an interest in your job
and its possibilities as we'll as how
you may make yourself valuable
and useful. both for your own
sake and your employers. Do not
be afraid of an extra hours work
if it is important and necessary.
Cultivate a sense of relative values
and learn how to differentiate be-
tween the tasks which should take
first place and precedence over all
/ r..