Evening star., 1936-02-09
About Well-KnOwn Folk
In Books, Art, Politics
Mrs. Roosevelt Gives Retort Courteous-Por-
traiture at National Gallery.
BY ROBERT CRAWFORD.

BY ROBERT CRAWFORD.
The gentle frou-frou Of petticoats in
the United States Senate is becoming
more pronounced. The swishing OF
skirts thai is so delightfully."-, intrigu-
ingly feminine; the delicate French
perfume; the permanent waves, lip
stick. high-heel shoes and all those
dainty gadgets so dear to the Eearts
of the gentler sex, are now permeating
the august chamber that in years past
echoed to the classic oratory OF the
Henry Clays, Daniel Websters and
other great statesmen. But after all
Is said and done-and it's now done
there is still something to be thankful
for as one distinguished Senator whis-
pered: The ladies do not wear train
skirts, so one can clear the aisles for
action without stumbling over yards
OF goods.
Senator Hattie Caraway has con-
fessed that she has felt bit lonesome
in the beautiful old chamber and
longed for a kindred spirit of her own
kind. She says the men have been so
thoughtful and courteous to her. Since
it is settled, however, that Mrs. Huey
Long is to take her husbands seat in
the Senate, the junior Senator from
Arkansas has expressed herself as
being delighted. She may too, have
O feeling of gratitude for the services
rendered her by the late Mr.. Long
though unsolicited-in her campaign
for election to the seat to which she
was first appointed to fill the uneX-
pired term of her husband.
For 20 years Senator Caraway had
closely followed the policies of her
husband, and had long lived in an
atmosphere of politics, until 1t was
second nature to her to interest herself
In public policies and questions OF
public interest. When she took her
seat in the Senate she announced that
she intended to do lot of listening
until she decided what course she
wished to pursue. She Is short and
rather plump, so she called Tor a
footstool in order to keep her feet
firmly on the ground. and climbed into
the chair behind her desk.
It is not known whether the two fe-
male solons will sit side by side or
whether the feminine charms will be
distributed over larger space. Some
people achieve greatness and some
have greatness thrust upon them. But
Mrs. Long. who by the way is ex-
tremely good looking, extremely wom-
anly and dresses smartly, rose 10 great
ness, originally, by three teaspoonSful
of baking powder and one cup OF
shortening, which raised her a hus-
band and eventually Sc in the Sem
ate. While she did not take prom
inent part in the public life Of her late
husband, she was acquainted with his
policies and ambitions. and has been
q charming homemaker. AS a COM
panion to her children, with whom she
has spent much time and with whom
she joins in all their sports and school
life. she found little time to accom-
pany Mr. Long over the tountry.
Mrs. Long, who in her girlhood was
q school teacher, loves to tell about
the cake she made which took the blue
ribbon at the county fair and brought
a proposal from the young travelling
salesman who was agent for the shor-
tening that went into the prize cake.
In that lively Town Hall meeting
Mrs. Franklin Delano Roosevelt ad-
dressed last Sunday night, to a query
from the floor as to what would hap
pen to chivalry when women were so
universally holding jobs side by side
with men, she answered that she did
not think just because women and
men were working together they need
be rude to one another. This drew
down the house-Mrs. Roosevelt knows
Jolly we'll how to give the retort cour-
teous-and one was reminded of the
story of the darkey cook whose mis-
tress asked her how she lost the sight
of one of her eyes. Rosey answered:
'My husband done put it out. Want
he rude?" This was a case where the
controversy grew out of the mans lack
of chivalry in making his wife carry
the wash home after she had done all
the work.
The ladies of the Lower House are
LIGdUtu Will uIuCIl CluNdAy Wy IAlC
men. In fact some of the women
would much prefer to be taken little
more seriously. So far as is recalled
there have been no spirited debates
between the n4en and women since the
latter entered the halls of Congress.
1t is still very pertinent question
whether or not women have refining
and elevating influence on politics and
public life. In political meetings
where women largely predominant. in
vective and harsh methods often take
the place Of fair argument or discus
sion, and women being accorded a
sixth sense, called intuition, they are
a bit keener and cleverer with their
tongues.
Nancy Astor, the Virginia member
Of the British Parliament, is said to
have remarked on the eve of her elec-