Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-21

AOu hAAOWg ~ dCblCdlly every
body with an ak to grind wants
the federation's support" Mrs.
Oscar Ahlgren, former CIVIC
president and now director Of
public relations, pointed out.
"Pressures also come from our
membership at times"
The policy Craftsmanship calls
for intelligence and diplomacy
both of which Edith Richie
possesses in abundance, her as
sociates agree.
And she can always see two
sides of a question:" Mrs. ALL
gren pointed out. I'm fact, she
seems to be cut out for the
job"
Brought up in a college town
Demorest. Ca, home of Pied
mont College,. Mrs. Ritchie
has lived for many years in
Athens, home of the University
of Georgia where her late hus-
band was a professor in edu-
cation.
Because of his association
with a State institution, she
never considered going into
politics-although she admits
she has been tempted.
The former Edith Adams,
she is a member of the John
Adams and John Quincy
Adams family Of New England.
MY people have always
been active in public affairs, Z"
she recalls. Its in my blood.
I suppose that's one reason I
have been so interested in the
federation's Policy Commit
tee"
Newspapers and the Con-
gressional Record have helped
her to keep up with public af-
fairs. Il read the Record
every day and keep copiouS
clippings" she reported dur
ing an interview recently.
Senator George, Adviser
In guiding federation policy
in the past, she also has had
the benefit of frequent con-
sultation with Georgia's Sen
ator Walter George, which she
will miss sorely now that he
Is in Paris as President Eisen-
hower's personal ambassador
to NATO.
Senator George has been
my constant adviser and ever
present help" Mrs. Ritchie
said. His interest in the
federation has never varied.
Sometimes he couldn't tell
me why he advised us not to
take a certain position. He
would just look over his glasses
and say, You know, I believe
I'd let that ride And pretty
soon we would know why he
had said what he did"
A thorough study of all the
questions involved has been her
approach to any resolution
presented to her committee.
I'VE have tried to make our
resolutions sane" she stressed
"They are prepared very care
fully, with all the help we can
get-from Congress and the
various Government depart
ments and agencies, if they
concern public affairs.
rs the subject matter
\ germane to the interests Of the
federation? That's the first
I question we ask.
/ IF we think the resolution
inadvisable, we call in the pro-
1 poser, explain our objections
and ask her to withdraw it. So
I far, they have agreed, and I'm
/ happy to say I've never had to
| read a resolution and report
that the committee recon-
mends that it do not pass"
Tribute From Gen. Marshall
After World War II, the
federation was in the forefront
of organizations which sup
ported aid to Europe and the
Point Four Program. Gen
George c. Marshall, then Sec
rotary of State, flew out to the
1948 convention in Portland
Greg. to personally thank
the women for their role ir
behalf of the Marshall Plan.)
The CIVIC Endorsed uni.
versal military training as fal
back as 1947. and later re.
iterated its support despite
vigorous minority opposition.
The late DR.. Harvey w
Wiley gave the organization
credit for passage of the Pure
Food and Drug Act, and it hal
continued to work over thu
years for legislation protecting
the consumer.
A department OF consumer
interests, headed by a cabinef
officer, is one of its goals TO b
pushed in the coming months
Everybody has SOMEBODY
looking out for his special in
terests except John @. Public,
Mrs. Richie noted.
In outlining plans for thu
year at the october hoarC
meeting here 10 days ago, Mrs
Richie said that two othel
federation detectives also ar
on the calendar for "activl
effort:
Creation Of a commission OF
labor, management and TIL
general public, to be appointed
by the President.
And establishment Of a ma
tional academy Of public af