The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-07-01
BY GERRY DICK

NEA Service Staff Correspondent
 Washington, D. C.-Woman at last has attained full stature as a legislator. Whatever condescension the masculine members of Congress may have felt heretofore toward women representatives has been dealt a death blow by graying Mrs. Mary Norton of New Jersey; for by accepting, instead of evading, the arduous post of chairman of the House of Representatives Labor Committee, she proved that women were on par with colleagues of the opposite sex.
 With gallantry that was little appreciated officials of the House very obviously made it easy for her to sideStep the post left vacant by the death of Representative William P. Connery, Jr.
 Instead of retiring to the par lor," safe from tine legislative strug- gles that loom on the CongreSSion- al horizon as a result of the grim labor unrest, strikes, riots, lockouts and capitals vigorous opposition. Mrs. Norton seized the chance to enhance the prestige of women leg iSlators.
 The task of guiding labor legis- lation through the House is the most important one that has yet fallen to a woman.
 Placidity Veils Vigor
 Congresswonlan Norton is plump, fortyish, with short hair just touch- ed with gray. She is outwardly pla- cid, but her vigorous assertion, T get my Irish up when I am face to face with injustices." is convinc- ing. She has penetrating dark brown eyes that must have made many political opponent squirm. Mrs. Norton would rather have peo- pie say of her that she is just, than hear any other compliment. she says.
 Ghe was the first woman selected as chairman of a state committee, when in 1884 she assumed the leadership of the Democratic party in New Jersey. Ten years before that she had the distinction of be- lIlR UIlC 4hoJ WOLAdAA oCAiO " SOAA~ gress from the eastern states. She still represents some 350,000 consti- tuents in the 18th District of New Jersey.
 She was selected in 1883 for the chairmanship of the District of Col umbia Committee. and was again the first woman to earn that dis tinction. Her ardent fight for leg islation to benefit the voteless resi- dents of the capital city has earned her the affectionate nickname, Lady Mayor of the Capital" She was also the first woman to come to Congress while her husband was living. He always insisted Con- gress spoiled good cook" she says.
 Hopes to Avoid Resentment
 Mrs. Norton keeps her home in Jersey City open, although she is seldom there more than two months out of a year. Tn Washington she has 6 housekeeping apartment in one of the larger hotels.
 The new labor chairman has a busy program here and is on the job from 9:30 every morning until or so in the evening. She gets some 300 letters and sees as many as fifty callers a day. AS many as 200 have tried to see her in one day.
 T haven't any hobbies" she says. "AW>v V from my work, am con- tent to rest. If I'm very tired go to bed with mystery story. never remember what they're about after I've finished them. Week-ends try to get out of town. My niece Marion drives me to the mountains usually. There's club called Sky Top Lodge in the Poconos I parti- cularly like"
 Asked if she felt at all timid about assuming so much responsi- bility in such stormy period for labor, Mrs. Norton said, No. only hope I shan't be resented by the men on the committee"