Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-04


Spouse to President Clevelands call for
the Fifty-third Congress to meet in ex-
traordinary session. He was new
member elected to the House of Repre-
sentatives from the fourth district of
Kansas. and he was accompanied by
his wife, who had been Miss Anna E.
Baird of Topeka: his son, Harry King
Curtis; two daughters, Permilla, now
Mrs. Charles p. George. and Leona. Mrs.
Webster Knight, and his sister Dolly,
Mrs. Edward Everett Gam, who will be
his official hostess.
Except for an interim Of less than
two years from 1913-15, when tangle
IN the laws of Kansas prevented his
securing the nomination to the Senate,
which he had won by popular vote.
Senator Curtis has been resident OF
Washington and he and his family are
we'll intrenched In the affections OF Its
people Mrs Gam before coming to
the Capital had completed her educa-
ton in the schools of her home city,
Topeka, and had developed as pre-
dominating traits a fair for politics
and a sound sense of values in apprais-
ing men and their motives.
Charles Curtis, after an adventurous
youth and long before coming to
Washington, had settled into the quiet
dignity of law office and the routine
of family man. He had been married
some years and established in Topeka,
when, on the death of her mother. his
sister, Dolly, became an inmate Of his
home.
The tenderest affection always was
maintained between the orphan sister
and the brothers wife and she was
reared in a home where the strongest
bonds of family unity existed and
where, in her impressionable years, she
was In touch with public affairs and
the men who dominated them. She
was keenly interested in her brothers
political ambitions and has been an
acknowledged factor in his success. Her
nieces and nephew regarded her as a
kind and sympathetic elder sister and.
in later years, as a second mother who
could share their experiences. The best
description Of Mrs. Gam Is that she has
accepted the fact that different ideals
prevail in the world and that reluctance
to accept them would be both futile and
embarrassing She is the rare type of
the thoroughly modern woman. possess
ing in marked degree all the oid-fash-
toned virtues and those amiable quail
ties which were, as the phrase goes.
more abundant in the years when
mother was girl"
Political Acumen Admired.
From her earliest residence in the
Capital, the hostess of the Vice Presi-
dent was admired for her political
acumen, and it was frequent pleas
antry of Representative Curtis friends
to wish to take over the services of
his campaign manager and general
secretary, especially when doubtful
campaign was on hand She supervised
her brothers Office and personally saw
visitors when he was very busy and
wrote and dictated letters which proved
a valuable asset all the years when his
political fame was growing.
Mrs. Charles Curtis was an excellent
home-keeper, but she found her young
Sister-in-law a tremendous aid in the
amenities. knowing, as she did, not only
the names of the most distinguished
callers on official occasions but also
something in the personal sense which
made for their pleasure. Meantime she
was just as invaluable in the homelier
duties aiding in the family sewing and
taking hand when the always uncer-
the Capital was In rebellion.
Although always renting or owning
home in Washington, Senator Curtis
and his family returned to Topeka on
all possible occasions and to the roomy
home endeared to every member by
most sacred memories. This house Is
now occupied by the older sister of the
Vice President, Mrs. Jerome Colvin.
and she keeps 1t in readiness for his
visits. This house is on a corner OPP
posite from the home Of Senator Arthur
Capper and between the two families
there has existed for many years a
strongly entrenched friendship.
Kept Out Of Suffrage.
As Dolly Curtis, an astute politician
popular In Washington and Topeka.
Mrs. Gam had many opportunities to
attract public attention in her own
behalf. The-equal right for women
movements were gaining momentum
and their leaders singled for honcrs any
woman performing high-class work. To
attain the reputation of being the most
successful political manager in the Mid
die West was in this category and MOTH
ing Is more indicative of Mrs. Cams
poise and good judgment than that she
kept aloof from all the stormy episodes
which marked the progress Of woman
suffrage to its eventful triumph. Nor
did the idea of seeking political prefer
ment in the personal sense ever find
Judgement. She was content to share
and enjoy the honorS conferred on her
brother and to play her part for his
steady advancement.
During this period before her mar
riage to Edward Everett Gam of
Louisville, KY" young lawyer then
In the Department of Justice. she
found time to play conspicuous role
I'm the compact body of Kansans resi-
dent In Washington and to coordinate
them to their best interests and those
of the Sunfower State. She was a
ciety of Washington was founded, and
she has borne her share of RESPONSE
bility for the success Of its annual
meeting.
Mrs. Gam was among the first wom-
en- to obtain license to run her own
motor car. an electric, in 1915. when
this was deemed the most ladylike for
her sex and less dangerous than gaso-
line She was promoted from this class
many years ago and has since driven
the largest and heaviest Of cars for
the pleasure and convenience OF her
family. Her big car has long been ia
always taken her husband to his office
and no engagement in the afternoon
proved too fascinating to detain her
when 1t was time to call for him.
Since Senator Curtis has made his home
with the Cams his faithful sister has
included this morning and afternoon
duty for him also. Only In the past six
months. when duties of all descriptions
multiplied for every member OF the
family, have the Cams engaged
chauffeur.
Married In Topeka.
Mr.. and Mrs. Gam we're married in
the Topeka home June Is, 1915. and
came at once to Washington, where
they established their home
Permelia, the elder daughter of the
Vice President, and bearing the name
of her Grandmother Curtis, previously
had married Charles p George a West