Evening star., 1933-04-05
BY DOLLY GAM.


On my return to Washington from
Kansas in 1915, after two years ab-
sence, found many changes in the
city had learned to know as a second
home since the lonely days Of my ear
iiest visit at the time of Brother
Charles election to Congress, more than
20 years before.
A Democratic administration, the
6rst since Grover Cleveland's last
term, was now IN control, with the re-
suit that many Of our friends had
Of newcomers were settled in Washing
ton. Never had met so many Demo-
Gratis! Among them I made good
friends.
War was the pervading topic, al
thOugh our country was out of the
fighting In the period Of neutrality"
knitted many woolen socks under the
directions of Mrs. Franklin D. Roose-
velt, whose husband, now President,
then was Assistant Secretary of the
Navy. had no opportunity to know
Mrs. Roosevelt intimately, but ! recall
her charming manners and endless
energy.
President Wilson'S first wife, Mrs.
Ellen Arson Wilson, had died August 6,
1914, as the cannon's roar started over
Europe. Whatever social life had cen
tered In the White House since the
Wilson administration began was only
hearsay for me, and I had been too
busy in Kansas, helping mend our po-
Gtical fences In anticipation Of .
~come- back" for brother, to keep pace
with the doings Of Warrington.
As the months passed and our en-
trance into the war seemed for q time
more remote, Washington shook of
and with Mr.. wilson's second marriage,
10 Mrs. Edith Boiling Gait, December
is, 1915, came renewal of White
House entertaining and an effort to
revive the gayety Of off1cialdom. Look
ing back on the year and q quarter
when the country teetered on the brink
Of war, remember that all Of us wore
the mask of pretended security, hoping
We should remain forever immune to
the distant terror, but with paralyz-
ing fear gripping our hearts.
The national campaign Of 1915, in
which woodrow Wilson was opposed by
Charles e. Hughes, aroused bitterness |
rarely witnessed before or since.
had no part, but am sure no, other
individual was more excited or de-
voured the daily news more eagerly. |
Was there man or woman who did
not argue over the famous slogan, HE |
kept us out Of war;" on which the |
Democrats based their appeal for Mr.. |
wilson's reelection, or failed to get a |
thrill over the ups and downs of the |
contest, finally decided by margin SO
close that the Republican defeat was |
due to some 1,500 votes in California?
Part Played by Women in War.
Washington in the war times of 1917 |
and 1918 was a strange city. 1t seems
to me, now, that I was in daZe, my |
whole mode of living suddenly trans /
formed. I, who had been continually |
occupied with affairs that appeared to |
be of the utmost importance-my work |
In Brother Charles Office, my growing |
interest in politics, my duties In his |
home and more recently in my own,
my social rounds, and my many pleas
ant diversions--found myself surround |
ed by uncertainty and seeking new |
The demand of Americas women to
do their share Of war work was evident
Immediately. AT my little house organ
lied a group of women, and we had a
knitting machine. I don't know how
the A. e. r.
The name Of Herbert Hoover became
known to every woman. His relief work
tn Europe had brought him fame, but |
be was only one Of many overseas ce-
lebrities until he came home to America |
rs head Of our new commission for the
conservation of food supplies. We learn |
I'd to "Hooverize," observing "meatless |
days" cutting down waste In our kitch- |
ems, studying bulletins on economy.
Everybody In Washington had some |
thing to do. The enthusiasm and in |
dustry Of the. women were limited only
by their opportunity. knew some who |
broke down under the strain. The |
situation developed leaders whose tai |
6nts were quickly recognized.
At the Red Cross Miss Mabel Board |
man maintained her lifelong connection !
with the organization under the direc- |
ton Of Henry p. Dawson. Another de-
partment chief was Mrs. August Bel
mont, New York, who had won fame on
the stage as Eleanor Robson. In many