Evening star., 1938-01-09

Will not be difficult for her.
Senator Graves Sits
In the Enemy's Camp. ...
The junior Senator from Alabama
did not know when she came up to
the United States Senate last August
to be sworn in that she would be
seated right over in the enemy's camp
on the Republican side of the cham
Der, just a stones throw from the
Junior Senator from Massachusetts,
young Henry Cabot Lodge, grandson
OF the late Senator Lodge, and a bit
further over Senators Borah, Vanden-
berg and other stalwarts of the mi
nority party. That instead of the gay
little donkey the Topping ears of the
elephant, that mighty animal of
strength and subtlety, would be the
emblem in evidence. The South, how
ever, could not have sent q more en-
gaging diplomat into the enemy's
camp, for she straightway won the
respect and good will OF her Republic
can colleagues as well as the admira-
ton of the august body.
1t was front-page news when Sena-
Tor Graves came up, for it was the
first time that Governor Of a SOW
ereign State had appointed his wife
to 50 exalted a position. Everybody
wrote about her and everybody met
her. and while 1t was known that she
had been In public life since the day
when IN her teens she had married
her first cousin, who was then q mem
Der Of the State Legislature. and had
twice presided over the Governors
Mansion, it was quite an experience
to meet her for the first time after
she had ripened a bit in her job in
the Senate and get her reflex on her
senatorial experience and her feeling
In leaving the Congress.
Eyes and No"
Retirement Answer.
When asked if she would be glad to
retire and 60 home. she said, Yes
and no." She thinks it has been q
new and wonderful experience for
her and an insight into the workings
Of the Congress she considered would
be help to her better understanding
OF State and national problems. She
said it had been in a way a sort of
inspiration to her to be a part Of
great national working body-and she
laughed and added that, contrary to
public opinion just at this time, Sena-
tors really do work-and though she
knew her time would be limited as a
member of the. Senate. she entered
upon her duties with the same en-
thusiasm she would have felt If the
period had been for full term.
When it was remarked that she did
not lose any time in making her
maiden speech, she answered that she
knew that it was not according to
senatorial practice. but that out of
the heart the mouth speaketh and the
anti-lynching bill was . measure in
which she felt grave and serious in
terest. and one in which she felt
States rights was at stake. She spoke
and forcefully on the bill,
using but few notes to which she sell
dom referred. and when she had fln-
lshed it was pretty we'll agreed that it
was one of the best and most logical
speeches made on the subject
Alabama's Plan First
Accepted by Social Security.
Senator Graves said she would be
glad to return to Alabama and again
preside over the Governors Mansion
and take her club work with a less
viewpoint. She feels
that as the women Of the Democratic
party have been so signally honored
by President Roosevelt with his conf
dence in their ability as leaders in the
party. they are needed as much now
to help carry on as they were In 1879
and 1882. AS consistent advocate
Of the child labor amendment she has
for more than 20 years planned and
worked for problkms affecting the
welfare Of all classes in her State.
Mrs Graves is particularly proud of
the fact that Alabama had the first
plan accepted under the new Social
Security set-up relative to child vel
fare. The Department Of Public We'll
fare in her State has received her
constant help and advice.
The Woman Senator
Has an Austere Once.
Senator Graves has not the family
pictures and other personal gadgets
about in her private ONCE that most
OF the members of Congress have.
When We entered her office we found
m attractive brown ngure-brown
4 fal lzagsssasssssssasssslssa