Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-09
By ISABELLE SHELTON

A soft-spoken Tennessean
with a reputation as a hard
headed politician set UP shop
at the Volunteers for Steven
son Kefauver headquarters
Friday to do her bit for the
Democratic ticket.
That "bit" could be consid-
cradle. The newcomer is Mrs.
Martha Ragland, who has just
been appointed vice chairman
of the National Volunteer Or
ganization. She did a whiz-
bang job organizing Tennessee
women to help put Estes Ke-
fauyer in the Senate in 1913,
and probably is more respon-
sible than anyone else for his
being the vice presidential
nominee today.
When Senator John Ken
nedy of Massachusetts, began
to forge ahead in the exciting
second ballot for the Demo-
cratic vice presidential spot,
it was Mrs. Ragland, many be-
lieve, who turned the tide for
Kefauver.
Entitled to the floor as Ten
neSsee National Committee
woman, she sought out her
States junior Senator, Albert
Gore, for whom Tennessee and
some other Southern States
were still voting.
She told the Senator bluntly
that Senator Kennedy was
about to get the nomination.
unless ne Senator Gore) acted
fast to withdraw in favor of
his fellow Tennessean. Senator
Kefauver. She added that
Senator Gore would be ruined
politically in his State if he
kept a native Tennessean from
winning.
The Turning Point
Others had been talking to
Senator Gore too, but those
closest to the scene say it was
Mrs. Ragland's words that de-
cided him. AS she finished
speaking he strobe to the
Tennessee delegation, waved
the banner for recognition, and
Withdrew. That was the turn
ing point. Tennessee shifted
its votes, other States followed.
Soon it was all over and Sena-
tor Kefauver was up on the
platform accepting the plau-
dts of the crowd.
Mrs. Ragland acknowledges
she urged Senator Gore to
withdraw. But other Tennes-
scans talked to him, too" she
adds. She thinks it was prob
ably the cumulative effect of
all the talks that did the trick.
First Job
Mrs. Ragland's first Job with
the Stevenson-K efauver or
ganization will be to help knit
together in ever State all the
organizations and individuals
who have expressed interest in
either man. After that she may
make some speeches. Were
still playing it pretty much
)y car" she said.
The Tennessean thinks the
Stevenson-Kefauver ticket will
carry the whole South, even
Florida, Virginia and Tennes-
see" which went Republican
n 1852.
There will be a considerable
'truggle in Florida and Vir-
'inia, she comedies.
Il think Tennessee will def
litely go Democratic" she de-
clared emphatically. Il think
1t would have in 1852 If it had
not been for Eisenhower's last
minute promise that IVA
would be maintained at maxi
mum efficiency - a promise
hat was straightaway for
often.
He began calling ii creep
ng socialism right away, and
appointed an unfriendly chair
man. Then there was Dixon
Yates. They even talked once
Of selling the whole IVA.
Don't think that the people in
the whole Tennessee Valley
comprising seven Statesl are
not aware of just what hap
pened. They are. We know
that IVA is one of the great
est examples Of dynamic de-
mocraey there is. It's been
Of benefit to the whole U.
S. AZ
Mrs. Ragland thinks that
much Of the big women's vote
that is supposed to have put
across President Eisenhower
in 1852 will 90 Democratic
this time.
Il believe a lot OF those peo-
pie who voted for Ike still
like Ike. But they are UNI
easy about his health. and they
are not willing to vote for
Nixon for President. They