Evening star., 1937-01-20

WIFE is GENUINE HELPMATE
.1@9K

there Is no vacant space she drives around the
block looking for one like everybody else. II
she expects to stay even two minutes overtime
she asks permission"
In her first. second and third years in the
White House Mrs. Roosevelt travelled 115,000
miles; $4,000 miles the first year, $4,000 miles
the second and $4,000 miles the third. Wher-
ever she went she left friends behind her, won
completely without any consideration Of party,
by her wholesome fnendliness, her charm and
poise and unaSsumng franknesS of manner.
She has immeasurable patience with the most
insignificant of those who crowd about railroad
stations or in public halls to watch her arrive
or to hear her speak, and listens with gracious
ness to their ofttimes lengthy explanations of
what is wrong with the country She has a
very real and vital interest in people. born. no
doubt of the days when she elected to spend
hours in social service work in lieu of absorp-
ton in frivolous occupations Of q wealthy
debutante'S existence.
She has found time for the continuation OF
old friendships during her occupancy of the
White House, and her prediction is for whole
some simple people from whom she derives
much inspiration. In one year she found time
to attend the funerals Of several notables speak
at numerous college or school commencement
exercises, write daily feature for a newspaper
syndicate, begin and conclude q paid lecture
tour, speak at numerous public ceremonies as
diversified as Town Hall and conference Of
ESQ delegates for the discussion Of "The Cause
and Cure Of War;" She has made personal in
spection trips of her favorite resettlement prof.
ect in West Virginia, at Reedsville, and caused
something Of q sensation by donning miners
clothes and descending into q coal mine. A
many-paged chronology would be necessary to
list her activities even in q period Of q 1ew
months but 1t will suffice to say that they
would, when compiled, form cross-section Of
the times and speak eloquently Of her almost
incredible ability for keeping abreast Of those
things which occupy the public mind and con-
stitute matters Of public concern.
These represent her public expressions in that
"job" which has fallen to her lot Her life Is
mistress Of the stately white mansion on Penn
sylvania avenue has been marked by gracious
ness and charm that has imbued the white
House with new informality and friendlinees.
While adhering strictly to the traditions that
plot for her the social year ahead, Mrs. Roosevelt
has at the same time managed to minimise
the stiffness and constraint that rose like wall
between host and guests in the Executive Nam
sion and has invested her role as hostess with
q dignity that loses nothing by q genial chat
or personally directed inquiry. She has touched
the White House with the priceless touch OF
humannesS c-'
"Are you having a nice time?" she asks Of
. member Of the fourth estate, as she mingles
freely among her guests. smiling, chatting, nod
ding. And there radiates from her q warmth
Of personality. a geniality that wins the heart.
"Be sure to arrive at exactly 5:15." she tells
. friend whose music she enjoys, and though
he and his wife wonder why this time Is 50
exactly stated, they learn later when they ar
rive that 1t Is her kindlness and consideration
that has scheduled their arrival to coincide
with the appearance Of her husband. 30 that
they may be photographed together and the
musician aided In all ways possible by public
mention Of this fact on the part Of columnists
or other newspaper writer's there assembled. A
little thoughtful gesture-no more than giving
some one she appreciates an opportunity to be
publicly though silently sponsored by the
President-but how many in her position would
give time or thought to that?
w YHuE clothes occupy very sman por-
M ton Of her time or attention, Mrs.
" Roosevelt Is dressed unfailingly in the
simple. unaffected manner that shorn
OF the slightest appearance Of "fussiness," con-
stltute the very essence Of good taste. Last year.
at the Presidents Birthday Ball, her gown ol
beige antique brocade with its nchu Of real laca
was the most beautiful gown In the assembly
Of carefully and extensively gowned women.
The favorite flower Of the Presidents wife h
tho yellow rose. and . singularly beautiful
Continued on Eighteenth Page)