Milford chronicle., 1959-02-20
28O6 McAlister
Topeka, Kansas
February IA, 1855

FEBRUARY IA, 1903
Dear Friends:
I'm good Republican just like
ell the Townsends, but | still want
ed to attend Mrs. Eleanor Roose-
velt's lecture. She was here this
week and her speaking engagement
was scheduled for the 18th. We
had planned to go with another
couple. The very day before,
Hayes flying schedule was switch
ed and he would be taking of into
the blue about the time we should
be leaving for the Municipal Audi
torium. I was really disappoint-
ed.
/ decided maybe l could round
up some stray female and hear the
travelling lady" even minus my
SAC Major. When you have a
three and one-half month old little
one lin the house things aren't as
simple to organize as prior to the
little gals arrival had called
the local library days in advance
and reserved my tickets. 1t WASH
possible to pick up the tickets dur
ing the ensuing days and | called
the library once more to reassure
chem | wanted my engaged tickets.
rhe day of the lecture Hayes drove
me to the library and you know the
tickets were not there. Seats were
not reserved and to mot have tic
kets and be delayed getting into
the auditorium because we had TO
wait for the ticket Office to open
did not help my situation.
+ sent Hayes on his fight and
promised him | would try to make
the lecture. My friend and ! OF
course obtained our tickets with
little trouble and had the best
seats in the house. / did enjoy
nearing the topic for the evening,
delivered by the 74-year-old lady,
INT uppermost, / just enjoyed see
ing Mrs. FDR. / was not surprised
at her tall stature, not at her grey
| aair, held in place by nets ana
combs, nor was | surprised at the
blue velvet dress-it seemed the
exact attire I'd expect her to wear
| even the long sleeves to Keep ner
from being chilled on the colo au-
iitorium stage. l did expected too,
| % see che sparkle on both hands
where her rings reflected the lights,
mt above all / did not expect
| THOSE SHOES. This Travelled,
aighly entertaining lady ] expect
ed to be wearing tie shoes, oxfords.
Something with support SC tnat
she could stand hour after hans
md not cringe because her reet
hurt. She walked on the stage ad-
mist applause and my eyes focus
ed on her open toe. skinny, black
,andaI shoes. Perhaps she didn't
we 4r these all day, but for the next
fifty minutes she shifted from ner
eft foot to her right, and ! bet she
wished for those "old LADY OK
fords."
Most of her talk you all have
read in the. newspapers. ! was IN
.erested especially in her descrlp-
lion of children's life as Russians.
Eor instance the child's home
more than likely will be multiple
lwelling with several famiiles
sharing a few rooms, all sharing
he bath and kitchen. Every room
is a bedroom. 1t may be the living
room, but, too, is bedroom. IL
may be the dining room, but some
one will sleep there at night. Tne
mother may remain home from
work for three months following
the birth of her child, but she VIII
0nly be paid for two months. there
fore most women return to work
| the 57th day after delivery. That
lay is the day the state takes over
her child and begins his training.
The early part of their life is de-
voted to discipline and physical
training. The parents, after work,
take their children home, but the
days are spent in these nurser-
les.
At seven years they enter school
and their class room hours are
from $3.50 until 200 in the after
noon. All ten grades q believe
they go for twelve months OF the
vear) they study either German or
English in addition to their other
subjects. At two in the afternoon
they leave school and spend the
next two hours in shops. Here they
may play chess. spend time on
chemistry experiments, devote
time to music or art, but they just
aren't permitted to dawdle. There