Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt spent a busy day at the University yesterday, lunching with Mrs. Conant and the Executive Board of the Society of Harvard Dames following a press conference, speaking at a tea for the Harvard and M.I.T. Dames, and dining with President Conant and the Nieman Fellows.

At the press conference and the tea in the afternoon Mrs. Roosevelt spoke on a variety of subjects, ranging from the problems facing youth today to the practicability of the Bachelors' Club.

Leeway for Youth

Questioned about the unfavorable publicity received by the Madison, Wis., convention of the American Student Union and the resolution made for its abolition by Representative Martin of the New York State legislature, she defended the organization. "Young people do not get favorable publicity," she said, "because they aren't as good as their elders in putting across their ideas.

"You have to try harder to get at the basis of their thinking," Mrs. Roosevelt continued, "for they are not very able at qualifying or clarifying their statements." The first lady opined that repression of the kind advocated by Martin tends toward dictatorships and having things done in an underhanded way.

Communists Over-Rated

Mrs. Roosevelt found that the Communist threat in the American Youth Congress is greatly exaggerated, for of the four and a half million members only about fifteen thousand are members of the YCL. "No vote has ever been dominated by the Communists," she added, "but at the July Congress the Christian Front tried to control the meeting and was stepped on."

Asked by Stanley Garms, faithful assistant to veteran "American" reporter Bernard Kamins '38, to air her views on the newly formed Bachelors' Club, Mrs. Roosevelt criticized it, saying, "I am a strong believer in normal living, and you might as well learn how to deal with difficulties. You have to learn some time."

Following the tea, Mrs. Roosevelt became the first person ever to be made an honorary member of the Harvard Dames. She spoke about women in the world of tomorrow, claiming that they must adapt themselves to ever-changing situations and use careful judgment in forming their opinions.

During the question period, the first lady expressed approval of the National Youth Administration. In her opinion, the scope and power of this organization should be greatly enlarged, since it is now only able to provide for less than one-sixth of the unemployed under 25 years of age.

Last night Mrs. Roosevelt dined at President Conant's with the Nieman Fellows and talked shop. She said that she would like to continue her column, "My Day," no matter who occupies the White House next year