If You Ask Me
by Eleanor Roosevelt

No, I do not think the Bible is out-of-date. It still seems to me a remarkably wise book and very satisfying to read both as to form and content.

I do not think any third party has appeared of late. There are, of course, in New York State the American Labor Party and the Liberal Party, but neither of them showed great independent force in the recent elections. The two groups, the Political Citizens Association and the Americans for Democratic Action, which are groups of progressive citizens, do not aspire to be political parties, but they do aspire to represent thinking voters who may look at certain questions in a different way and who may organize differently and have different programs on which each of them will work very hard. They can, however, work together when their objectives coincide if they decide to do so.

I was married in New York City on St. Patrick's Day, 1905, in a double house which was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ludlow and their daughter, Mrs. Henry Parish, who was my mother's double first cousin and my godmother. I had the conventional wedding with a white satin wedding dress, old point lace veil which belonged to my grandmother, and I had bridesmaids and my husband had ushers. In fact, it was a completely old-fashioned wedding.

I have no idea what the rights of the United States Government are when they touch domestic affairs in a sovereign state. I imagine we will all know within a short time, as someone in Georgia is sure to appeal to the national Government. As chairman of the Human Rights Commission I represent the Government of the United States, and I take orders from the State Department and the President. I do not feel that Georgia represents the feeling of the majority of the people of the United States.

I am afraid you are wrong. OPA was established to keep prices down and to see that we get as much as we can in as fair a manner as possible for everyone concerned and to prevent inflation. I think the organization that you are really thinking about is the FEPC, which is supposed to see that no un-American discrimination takes place in employment. What you describe is the kind of thing that went on before the war. I think it goes on largely because certain people are afraid the civilian customers will not like to see soldiers about, and also some of the very young soldiers do not always behave as inconspicuously as they might. The only thing that would help in the type of special case you cite is for citizens to rise up and leave when they see such signs as you describe, and if they find a restaurant which will not serve a serviceman they should refuse to go there.

No. I do not think women could get together and have any such foolish program succeed. Neither do I think that wars are caused mainly because of overpopulation. Take a look at Russia, for instance—she certainly is not crowded; and there is plenty of untenanted land right in our own country, and yet we are tempted to take land for protective purposes or for trade development.

Fala is lying not far from me as I write. I am afraid we all spoil him, but he is the pet of the household. He tries to be reconciled with me as his mistress, but I am sure Scotties are one-man dogs.

There are different organizations in different places, but I think the best thing to do is to write to the Central Relief agency of the country from which you wish to adopt a child. Almost all countries seeking relief have headquarters in this country. Ask them how much it costs to adopt a child and also for any other information. I should think the need is greatest in Greece, Yugoslavia and Poland.

The United States Committee for the Care of European Children, 215 Fourth Avenue, New York City, also brings children here for adoption.

In my day there was a book written by Doctor Holt. I think I was more concerned with the part which dealt with feeding, and I remember very little about anything else, but I certainly found that book valuable.

My dear young lady, I think your mother is much better fitted to advise you than I am, but I assure you that modeling is not all "beer and skittles" and you might not find it half as pleasant as you think you would.