Evening star., 1937-01-20

= February, "is your inner conviction
that at least you are attempting to do what
you consider your job and outside OF that noth-
ing really counts"
With zest diplomacy, expedition discretion
and q marvellous sense of humor, the wife OF
the President of the United States has given
new meaning to the job of being mistress OF
the White House Not since the lovely ana
yivacio,is Dolly Madison ruled supreme over that
household and the hearts of Washington has
SO pronounced a personality taken hold 10
revitalize a position that, although unohcial,
Is one of the most important and far-reaching
in its influence of any outside OF the presidency
itself.
At the beginning OF Mr.. Roosevelts term OF
Office there was much speculation upon what
might be expected Of the new First Lady
lust how she would reconcile the activities of her
own very busy personal life with the demands
the White House would make upon her time,
her attention and her interests. Mrs. Roosevelt
answered that speculation by pursuing the even
tenor of her ways, continuing those personal
interests that in no way interfered with her
duty as she it in this new field, and ex-
panding those interests when such additional
activity would tighten in any way the innu-
merable burdens of Office that might otherwise
devolve upon her husband. In this, it is true.
she brought upon her radiant and vital sell
the criticism of those who asserted she had
usurped in some instances strictly presidential
prerogatives If sharing husbands burden
her-been guilty of the charge.
She has been the Presidents eyes and ears
in those places where personal observation was
most needed. She has been his alter ego on
such physically exhausting enterprises as recev.
ing delegations, placing wreaths on monuments.
presenting awards, extending congratulations
and attending dedications. And she has devil
ated the while no whit from the exacting social
demands that traditionally scheduled dinners,
receptions teas and at homes impose upon the
~f In shaken
hands carried friendly First Family smile into
all corners of the Nation and established
precedent that Is proof OF the fact that
Presidents wife may further her husbands
political career with undeniable grace and dis
tincton.
mute office has under her regime, become
articuate. The White House, because Of her
occupancy, has become symbol OF friendlineSS,
its routine marked by unconstraint and natural-
ness. Because of her unofficial jaunts into un-
expected places as a sort Of presidential deputy,
the President has been able to judge without
prejudice and from first-hand observation OF
conditions in important areas, and because OF
her shrewd and comprehensive reports has ex-
hbited a surprisingly complete grasp OF matters
he could not have investigated personally She
has been his helpmate in every sense Of that
word, at the same time relinquishing no iota OF
the dignity Of her position.
At the end Of three years in the White House.
Mrs Roosevelt told the same February press
ington has been the most educational period Of
my life. I have been forced to organize my life
better than ever before; have learned to econ
Omize time.
II think I have learned more about great
many different phases of life in this country
than ever before. knew my own State from
a great many different angles different kinds
of occupations and ways Of living; and did
know in q very sketchy way about other parts
of the country. But have learned much more
thoroughly about a greater variety Of actual
conditions and people than ever knew before"
Then it was that she added that the only thing
that really matters is the inner conviction that
one Is doing his job as he sees 1t.
"HLS sums up in q measure Mrs. ROOSe.
velt's attitude since moving into the Ex-
ecutive Mansion Obvious as great ma
lures must ever be, to the petty criticisms
that greeted certain Of her public activities just
she was oblivious of the praise that also re-
sounded, she set her course and followed 1t.
There was no arbitrary decision to add this
or dispense with that-rather. she pursued
her customary ways, eliminating in the full
ness of time such interests as made too heavy
demands upon her vitality or deprived her
of much needed time for activities she con-
sidered relevant to her position First Lady.
In this way her routine established and
once piqued and interested Nation had re-
covered from the first effects of seeing the name
of its First Lady on the front pages of the pub
lie press it settled down to enjoy and UNDER
stand something of the real contribution she
was making to the efficiency of an Office that
demands everything from an individual.
The Nation, as mater of fact, began to see
that there reason why we should not
have a national hostess who represented some-
thing more than social automaton They
recognized and appreciated a living example