Evening star., 1934-01-07
Tales of Well-Known Folk
In Art, Literature, Politics
Comment on Women in Congress-Presidents s
Former Law Partner Appointed to Hague.
Christy Posters for Presidents Ball.

One afternoon several years ago.
when the House had had particularly
hectic day. Representative Edith NourSe
Rogers. Representative Ruth Bryan
Owen and Representative Ruth Baker
floor of the chamber looking fresh,
the West turned to one of his COL
leagues and remarked. The Three
Graces." From that time on they were
known by that designation, and even
the galleries would make inquiry ask
ing to have them pointed out.
AT the brilliant opening of the first
regular session of the Seventy-third
Congress Wednesday last, only one of
the handsome trio was present. This
lone member, Mrs. Rogers of MaSsa-
chusetts, sat on the Republican side
with Mrs. Florence P. Kahn Of CALI
fornia, but her eXcellency, the, charm
service in Congress. had other ambi-
tions and other worlds to conquer. so
she sailed away as envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary to the
Court of Denmark. There at the New
Year reception at the palace she is
reported as looking positively regal in
black velvet embroidered in silver. with
a hat to correspond, setting just at the
right angle on her gray hair. Her
court dress was quite as diplomatique
as that of any of the men diplomats,
with their gold lace. braids and but
tons. The second of the graces, Mrs.
Pratt. was left at home in the Roose
welt avalanche of 1882. but every one
knows that she will not remain put"
for long. as rumor has it that she is
already staging a comeback, and those
familiar with her record in Congress
feel that her political career has just
begun.
Mrs Kahn, known as the wittiest
woman in the House. has been a help
full guide and friend to those women
who came after her. and is always
ready, regardless of politics. to drop a
little word of advice, which is grateful,
coming from one of her long expert
ence in political life and who has
genius for politics. AS she sits calmly
in the chamber, looking the personi-
fication Of repoSe, one would not dream
that she is thoroughly cognizant OF
everything that is going on around her.
until she suddenly rises to her feet and
flashes a quick question or telling re-
plv. The lady from California is
standpatter and on one occasion. when
she was following in line with the re-
dictionary Senator Moses on certain
proposition, she was chided by fellow
member for her adherence to the Sen
ator, when she quickly rose from her
seat and flared back: why shouldn't
l choose Moses as my leader? Haven't
nv people been following him for ages?"
Mrs Kahn has never INDUCED IN a
permanent wave" but wears her white
hair piled high on her head as they dlo
In the nineties. She is usually dressed
in black and looks the typical doWager.
After an election. when she got twice
as many votes as her late husband.
some one asked her how she managed
It? With a merry twinkle in her brown
eyes she answered, Sex appeal. When
she first came to Congress she was as
signed to the Indian Affairs Commit
tee-one of the minor committees. which
she resented feeling that during her
husbands service in Congress she had
been his close companion and frequent
adviser and that she was not altogether
a tender foot. So she said, Why the
only Indians in my district are in front
of the cigar stores. Why put me on
that committed"
An ardent believer in high tariff,
strong for national defense and one
Of the original 'wets" it is always
known how she is going to vote. but
some one has Willingly said, Only
God has anv idea of what she is going
to saw" She seems to like to heckle
Representative Sol Bloom. and if pos
sible disturb his dignifled equanlmlty.
1t is natural that Mrs Rogers and Mrs.
Kahn should be congenial friends Tor
aside from party Affiliations they are
both interested in the welfare of the
World War veteran. There is no one
In Congress who has had more practical
experience in all matters concerning
the men of the late war than the
woman member from Massachusetts
She was the personal agent OF botn
President Harding and President Cool
idge in work among the veterans and
was a familiar and pleasing picture
after the arrnistice in her Red Cross
uniform. which she constantly wore.
And it was she who guided through
Congress a Sl5000,0 900 bill for the
disqualification Of veterans-although
opposed by the chairman OF the COM
mittee.
Whether or not Mrs. Rogers wears
cotton stockings is not known but 1t Is
a fact that during the warm season she
is more frequently dressed in dainty
cotton frock, and 1t was she who was
said to have interested Mrs. Hoover in
cotton to the point Of wearing an
artistic cotton gown to one of the large
evening receptions at the White House.
She was reared in the town where her
father had his cotton mills and, except
when she was away at school In Paris,
took a great interest in the welfare
Of her fathers employees.
When President Roosevelt addressed
the Congress on January 3, there was
warm. personal atmosphere which
seemed to pervade the entire august
body from floor to gallery, and irrespec-
tive of party, the scene reflected con-
fldence and hope. 1t was an auSplclous
moment for a new member to make her
debut and especially so for Mrs. Isabella
Selmes Greenway. for was not there in
the Presidents gallery her girlhood
friend and chum. now the gracious
chatelaine Of the White House. smiling
down at her and waiting after the
Presidents message to see her sworn III.
Mrs. GreenWay sat with Representa-
tive Mary Teresa Norton OF New Jer-
sey, called the mayor of Washington. be-
cause she is chairman of the District
Committee. and the friend of its Vote
less inhabitants. Neither of these two
woman members are accidents, having
won their spurs through hard work in
n,anv campaign. Mrs. Norton is noted
for her political acumen and is the ell
der OF the two in service and experience,
rs her life both in and out of politics
= La>,, oiIrey1 largely IN nlIblic work