Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-23
WOMAN POET FINDS
IDEAS ON ALL SIDES
Wife of Ohio Representative
Writes Verse That SiIences>
Arguing Son.
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.

BY GRETCHEN SMITH.
From humble holes in heroes socks to
the grandeur of the Cathedral gardens
like flashes they come, the inspirations
for the inimitable verses which have
come from the pen of one OF the most
gifted women in the congressional
group-Mrs. w. w. Chalmers, wife OF
the Representative from Ohio.
Replying to question as to how ana
where she usually wrote her poems,
Mrs. Chalmers with twinkling eyes told
a story of incompatible humor relative
to the above quoted poem.
'Mr. Chalmers and I were flying
with Indy at the time last year when
he was taking UP members of Congress
in his plane. I was thoroughly enjoy
ing the beautiful panorama Of WASH
ington which lay below us, when no.
ticed that Mr.. Chalmers was going
through all sorts of motions to attract
my attention.
She Thinks of Flying.
'He knocked and he nudged and he
frowned and he signaled with his eyes,
always toward Indy. was sitting
directly behind the pilots seat, all
strapped up in my parachute, and
couldn't see anything remarkable about
Lindy'S back, so continued admiring
the scenery and the fun of flying.
When we landed, asked Mr.. Chalmers
TO what in the world he was trying to
call my attention. He replied, Didn't
you see-the hole in Lindy's ssockl'"
Mrs. Chalmers has gathered together
her poems in a little volume entitled,
Washington-People, Places and Other
POEMS" but due to her unfailing mod
esty and busy life filled with i1num-
ivNfA Oh frtxto
wide publicity to her writings. There
is strong resemblance in her humorous
poems to those of another poet Of the
Middle WeSt-James Whitcomb Riley.
An appeal to all mothers of 16-year-
old sons will be found irresistible in
her poetic tale, Andy Chews the Rag"
ANDY" is the son of Representative
and Mrs. Chalmers, who now is digni-
fed married man, the father of three
children, and holding the responsible
position of manager of the Veterans
Andy was Is years DID," explained Mrs.
Chalmers, ''he had an unfailing method
of winning desired point by arguing.
If 1t happened to be the car which he
wanted to drive, or a neighboring town
which he wished to visit at time when
my wishes did not coincide With his, he
could always win his point. He would
talk until was worn out and gave in
through WEAKNESS. One day, in des-
peration resorted to the power of the
pen. The result, Any Chews the
Rag was placed before the young mans
place at the breakfast table.
But it amt no use to- worry,
And it amt no use to nag.
You might as well save your breath,
When Andy chews the rag
Peace I'm Family.
after reading che verses young Andy
had little to say" continued Mrs. Chal-
mers, but from that day, there was
peace in the family"
The lady from Ohio is not only a
writer Of humorous poems. Her versa
tility is of a wide range and serious
poems of unusual beauty have been in
spired by many of Washingtons historic
places. 1t has been Mrs. Chalmers GUS
tom for the past seven years to send to
her friends at Christmas time, attrac-
tive little calendars on which have been
printed poem written especially for
the occasion. One of the Capitals
shrines, invariably provides the subject.
This year, 1.-THE Cathedral Garden" is
the title which has been given to the
Christmas calendar.
Mrs Chalmers has been endowed with
more than one wonnan'S share of talents.
In addition to her poetic ability, she is
an accomplished needlewoman. At pres
ent, she is deeply occupied in teaching
several other women on Capitol Hill the
are of making appliqued bed quilts and
artistically designed bath mats. Color
full designs are cut from bright ginghamS
and appliqued by hand upon pieces of
mattress quilting which are finished
of with gay borders of colored ma
terial.
COmpOses While With Needle.
AS her fingers fly over the needle
work, Mrs. Chalmers often composes
many of her verses. while going about
my household duties" she said, II al
ways carry about pencil and piece
of paper. In that way, I jot down the
lines which frequently come to me in
unexpected ways"
Mrs. Chalmers feels that she has in
herited her sense of rhythm and poetry
from her mother, who frequently COM
posed little verses and impromptu
! jingles for the entertainment and
amusement of her five children. Born
in Cassapolis, Mich, Mrs. Chalmers re-
ceived her education in the schools OF
| her birthplace. 1t was there also that
her girlhood romance ripened into
happy fulfillment. Mrs. Chalmers was 9
| girl in the high school where heI
| husband then was the young Superln-
tendent. 1t was then they met AND
later, after they were married, moved tx
Grand Rapids. From that city, Mr.
Chalmers moved to Toledo, Ohio, where
for several years, he was superintendent
of schools 1t was after taking up hei
residence in Toledo that Mrs. Chalmer:
felt the first prompting of the poetic
muse. She has continued to delight
her friends and her family with poems
and humorous verse.
AS her latest poem, 1.-THE Cathedra
Garden" comes from Nthe press, Mrs
Chalmers Is completing the fourth of {
group of appliqued bed quilts which
will be sent as Christmas gifts to hel
four small granddaughter in Ohio. NJ
matter how busy she may be with he
numerous and diversified interests, Mrs
Chalmers never is too busy to lend (;
! helping hand or a sympathetic ear II
the interests of others. Much Of he
handwork is contributed to the interest
, of charity.
zone of my greatest DESIRES" re
. marked Mrs. Chalmers to recent Wis
! itor, "is to convince the public that tn