The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-11
MRS. UNDERWOOD
 IS|NTERWEWED Talks About Politics and
 Other Hobbies NOTES ABOUT PEOPLE Prominent Women to Attend D. A. R. Congress in Washifgton-Plans for European Travel-Rob-
 erts-Gillespie Wedding
NOTES ABOUT PEOPLE
By MYRTLE MILES

1 Mrs. Oscar Underwood, who, by the way, is as well known in her home city
 by her girlhood name, Bertha Wood
 ward, as by that of her distinguished
 husband, was the subject of delight
 full sketch a day or two ago from the
 pen of Selene Armstrong in the Wash
 ington Times. Those who know this big
 brained, broad-minded, tactful and gra-
 recognize heDin the pen picture which
 Mfs Armstrong has drawn and will
 admit that It is both comprehensive and
 accurate. Miss Armstrong, writes: l She Is not a club woman, nor yet a
 suffragette. She has quite Rooseveltian
 ideas on the subject of the American
 family, and admires Mme. Schumann-
 Heink more than any woman before the public today because the diva has both
 genius and children.
 And hobby? I have none. Pads
 I do not catch them any more easily
 than the average grown person catches
 measles,'' declares Mrs. Oscar Under
 wood of Alabama, wife of Representa-
 tive Underwood, chairman of the ways
 and means committee of the House
 Then she adds "So, you see, I am a
 quite colorless person and not at all fit
 when it comes to being interviewed"
 You have a sense of humor" I &C.,
 cused.
 l q deny It," she answered. solemnly.
 "Well, you are certainly a good demo-
 crat. One can tell that by the proud
 little way in which you carry yourself ' l
 proudly these days" laughed Mrs. Un- derwood Haven't you heard that
 Champ Clark Is elected speaker?"
 "Did you know" I asked, revenge fully, that one Oscar Underwood is
 chairman of the ways and means com
 mittee?"
 By the smile which rippled across
 Mrs. Underwood's face and ended in a
 peal of happy laughter. I knew that her hobby had been discovered. "I surrender" she said, helplessly. 'Then own up. Your hobby, or rather your hobbies, are your husband and poll 1 itics'
 Tn strictest confidence" she answer ed. q will tell you that they are.' | And the Gentle Reader, in turn, Is | hereby informed, in strictest confidence, that Mrs. Oscar Underwood, wife of tho new chairman of the ways and means committee of sthe House of Representa- l tives, is a wonder when it comes to pol 1 itics. No woman in the congressional
 set has kept her finger on the pulse of political movements as faithfully as has l Mrs Underwood since her marriage | nac congressional season in Washington and l is always a standpatter when 1t comes to enduring the summer heat of an ex
 tra session in order to remain here with her husband.
 "Since my earliest girlhood'' she ac-
 knowledges, 'I have had an unconquer-
 able zest for politics. But T. tell you this with the greatest timidity, for I
 never have had much moral courage
 when it came to talking of my interest in political affairs. This may be be- cause we are so conservative down
 south. At any rate, I think men and
 women rarely accept a woman In good
 faith when she declares that the con-
 suming interest in her life is national politics. She gets credit for being either silly or affected, and never for really comprehending national issues.
 "And cannot say that I agree with you that many women of the present day have clear grasp on politics. In the first place, the average woman doesn't like tn em, and not liking them, why should she bore herself with them?
 It isn't a question of the peculiar con struction of the feminine mind. You won't catch me saying that women can't understand whatever they choose to understand But when it comes to politics, the majority of them are in- different.
 Now, I am not indifferent. I have always had a mans love for anything that has political flavor. The tariff possesses tho same vital interest for
 me that a spring hat does, and think I may say that I love my husbands
 work as much as he loves it. My zeal for politics has enabled me to follow closely every step of his career and has added much to our happiness. The Underwoods have a charming home in Birmingham. Ala. where Mrs. Underwood is one of the most popular young matrons in the social life of that city
 q love politics. and I love books" she declared, "but people come first of all in my heart and life. Just people, I love to be among them, to know their joys and sorrows, to possess their friendship. There Is always something inspiring to me in throng of people.
 Take that great crowd at the capitol yesterday, when MT. Clark was elected Speaker Wasn't 1t enough to stir the patriotism and the enthusiasm of q wooden man?
 But that. of course. was one day in a lifetime"
 Mrs Oscar Underwood claims West Virginia as her native state. but has re- sided in Alabama since her childhood. She is widely travelled and has the cul- ture which we associate with the cos- mopolite, but she has retained the charms that are characteristic of the southern wEnan.
 There .9a a frankness and open heartedpse V about her, frendlines=, which ys,s~a her easily one of the most beloWs c$ .cS nen in congressional circles here. O.eS .Ssver leaves her without the impressioo .,f a personality that is vivid and bright and merry as a child's And yet she knows as<much politics as most men do, and is as familiar with the
 tariff as you and are with. the spring .ashions
 CAPTAIN ARCHIBALD BUTT
 The personal charm of Captain Archi-
 bald Butt who was with President Taft
 during his visit to Birmingham is res mem hered with much pleasant interest