Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-03-20
BY PAULINE A. FREDERICK.

BY PAULINE A. FREDERICK.
Time was when the ladies of the
land were content to devote themselves
| to the domestic arts alone and let the
''inen folks" rule the country. But an
enlightened self-interest" has been
stirring within their ranks in the past
few years and awakening them to the
| challenge in politics and government
This was especially evident three years
ago. 1t is scarcely unexpected, then
that with presidential year just
around the corner these same ladies
have begun to prepare themselves for
new sallies into the political arena
where spirited campaigns and cleo
| lions are the order of the day.
It was from the Vice Presidents
| hostess that these observations came
recently Mrs. Dolly Gam. half sister
of Charles Curtis, is intensely inter-
ested in the political phase of women's
activities. AS an enthusiastic advo-
cate of the influence she feels women
can and should exert In electing the
public servants of the Nation, she has
been inuuiring into the matter and
making note of her impressions. Not
long ago she made tours Of the Mid
west and West, meeting women and
talking with them about the issues Of
the day And her report, as she talked
of these trips recently. was radiant
with optimism
Not only are the women Of the
country interested in the Government
and its operations" Mrs. Gam de-
clared emphatically, "but they are also
doing a fine piece of work in spreading
this interest. Many Of them are or
ganizing into groups in order to have
a stronger influence in moiding public
opinion. They obtain information on
the important issues which are facing
the country, study them and get as
many people as possible IN their COM
nlunities interested, too.
II find that they are eager to have
speakers who will talk about these
things. The women OF the country
are. in the coming years. going to have
bigger place than ever in the de-
termination of the persons who win be
intrusted with the responsibilities of
public Office
When Mrs. Gam speaks like that
with all the enthusiasm and force Of
her being-on subject in which she
has vital interest. her clear blue eyes
and earnest countenance have way
Of helping her to emphasize the i'm
pm JdtdCE u Nlldk oIlC 10 Saying. 6Lle
Is attractive and interesttng-this half
sister of the Vice President-with a
friendliness that has drawn to her q
wide circle of acquaintance.
AS hostess for the Vice President of
the United States, Mrs Gam has been
accorded social prestige. In addition,
her keen interest in things which SAVIOR
of politics has made her a sought-f for
speaker at gatherings where party is
sues and support are being crystallized
Already she has ably filled place on
the speaking programs of several raj
lies. Nearly every day, now, some new
invitation to speak puts in its appear
ance. and Mrs. Gam intimates that
all of them will not be ignored Some
Of these days she will "steaI a bit Of
time from her official duties at the
Capitol and dash off to meet these
obligations that ere crowding in upon
her time.
For I love to do it," she confesses
amiably.
In fact, Mrs. Cams efforts In this
new field Of endeavor have already
been so successful that rumor has it
that friends are mentioning her for an
elective office-even the governorship
of Kansas. But to all these evidences
Of appreciation and friendship she re-
plies automatically that her aspira-
tons have only one goal in mind.
II am interested now in helping peo-
pie to realize the fine things that have
been accomplished by the administra-
ton here in Washington" she says.
That Mrs. Gam is a spokesman
trained up in the ways of politics and
armed with a wealth of experience
which she can readily call into play in
this new. role. Is made manifest by the
things that she has been doing through
out more than IS years of residence in
the National Capital.
1t was in 1893 that Charles Smith
Of Topeka, Kans., first came to Wash
ington. He had been elected a mem
Der Of the House Of Representatives
from the Sunfower State. Descended
from the Kaw Indians on his mothers
side and from New England stock
through his father, Representative
Curtis, was born and reared in Topeka.
He had entered the legal profession,
and when elected to Congress was serv-
ing as attorney for Shawnee County.
When Representative and Mrs. Curtis
came to the Capital they had with
them the formers half sister Dolly
Aunt Dolly" to the Curtis daughters
who had lived in the Curtis home since
the death of her parents in early child
hood. Her ancestry through her mother
dated back to John Jay and the
Livingstons Of New York.
X ~
Now. a very important person to q
Representative is his secretary. Thus,
the new member in looking about for
a capable person to assist him in this
capacity, decided upon the devoted
half sister Dolly. And she, thrilled ut
the responsibility intrusted to her, set
about her tasks with a zest and in
dustry that were Of considerable value
to her employer.
one thing which she insisted upon
almost religiously was that every letter
from a constituent should have a per-
sonal reply from the Representative.
Many night after returning from a
party she burned the midnight oil" in
preparing these letters for her half
brothers signature the next morning.
An observer looking back at this in
dustrous daughter of Kansas success
fully filing her first position in Wash
ington's official life as his secretary,
could have paraphrased the very words
she had Just used In describing the at
titude of her American sisters toward
politics-'Not only is she interested
in what she is doing, but she Is doing
a fine piece Of work"
~
AS Mrs. Gam reminiSced on this
start" of her career in Washington,
there was a note of adventure In her
words. She spoke Of days that were
filled with learning the routine Of new
new duties, when strange faces and
strange ways intruded themselves upon
her horizon But she had come from
the Nations geographic heart with
great supply of Western friendliness
and an assiduous interest in what she
had been assigned to do, and with
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