both receptions, but at the less expensive one he emphasized that the GOP was not "a rich man's party," but a "broad, national one."

Earlier in the day, Ford told the New England Council that the recent shake-up in his administration should not be interpreted as a shift to a softer stand on national defense.

He called such speculation "political potshots" that he did not want "heard 'round the world."

"America in concert with our allies must maintain a defense capability second to none," he said, calling the Congressional proposals for $7.6-billion-dollar cuts in the defense budget "far too much."

The New England Council is a group of Massachusetts businessmen interested in conservation and Ford surprised the group by choosing to deliver his 20-minute address on national security instead of the economy or the regional fuel situation.

Ford visited Boston yesterday after Sen. Edward Brooke (R-Mass.) invited him here to raise funds for the local party. Aside from the two receptions open to the press, Ford also attended a closed $500-a-person cocktail party and conferred with local political leaders.

Security was tight for the visit and local police blocked off parts of Memorial and Storrow drives during the Friday rush hour to accommodate the motorcade.

The only incident of the day occurred when the President tripped over a wheelchair while shaking hands in a Springfield crowd. The president lurched forward into the point of an American flag held by a small boy and nicked his forehead.

Ford was in Springfield to address the New Editor Society of Editors. He told the journalists there that he will continue to mix with crowds despite recent assassination attempts and added that he enjoys getting bits and pieces of advice from people as they shake his hand.

"There is a risk in everything you do," he said, "but the way it is now being handled, I think the risks are greatly lessened."