The Daily Alaska empire., 1941-04-21

with pride that sine has never been sick day since she entered Congress in 1925 to fill the pos left vacant by the death of hel husband, the wealthy John Jacot Rogers.
 T It isn't often gallant to discus: a lady's age. But, considering tht verve of this lady, it's very mucl point. She tells it herself, in tht 1 Congressional Director twhert plenty of men omit theirs). She was born in Maine in 1881. l She's quaintly dainty person Trim, slim and straight. A con- ! stant soft smile and fluff of l graying curls. Her dresses for the House floor are conservative, but when she goes home she pops on some engaging hat confection that s correctly, for her, feminine. Like one I remember: a doo-dad of red flowers and fly-away veil.
 "Pal' of A.E.F.
 So it's little confusing to talk to the lady. She has to be told purely feminine gossip. She's in- terested, but she hadn't noticed.
 Then she begins to chat. And it's usually about some Army or der she wants for textile factory in her district. Or maybe she's dogging the Navy for shoe or der for some home district fac- tory. Or it's veterans family. She's known as the Sweet heart of the AE.F." And that's not because she sang to them. In 1917 she worked in hospitals over there, sitting with dying boys, carrying icepacks to fever cases, holding the hands of boys being rolled into the operating room.
 Shes never forgotten that. She remains one of the most persis- tent battlers for veterans benefits. It was $l5,0O0,000 appropriation for veterans hospitals that was her first big bill here-and the first major bill put through by a woman.
 Roosevelt FOe--and Friend
 Mrs. Rogers is staunch Repub- lican and has done her share of criticizing the Roosevelt Adminis- tration. But she enjoys a "Littlest Rebel position at the White House Her late husband was in Harvard with the President. So the families are on a first-name, twitting basis.
 Last spring Mrs. Rogers had an appointment with the President to talk over her district affairs. AS she rose to leave she twinkled, Well, MT. President, i don't sup pose I'll see you here again."
 Why, Edith" he .chuckled at her trap, you're always welcome here anytime this spring or summer, come in"
 Fabulous stories get back to Washington about Mrs. Rogers position in her home district. She's business-adviser, mother con- lessor, and ace-in- the hole to thou sands. But she brought it on her. self by the manner in which she campaigns.
 No Wasted Motion
 She visits every hamlet. Sets up temporary headquarters in the post-office lobby and visits with all corners. There's even one Dem ocrat who comes to see her each I year and brings her an ice-cream 1 cone.
 Her business-like. mind is al- ways on the alert to put her dis trict's people to work. Recently she heard that a large building was going up in one of her towns so she flew home-she flies every where - to make sure that the contractor would use local labor.
 But her soft heart sometimes tricks her quick head. She's still twitted about the veteran who several years ago, told her a heartbreaking story about how he {, wanted to show his family where he fought in France She put the first $100 into the kitty, raised the rest, and the man went off to France with his family.
 Probes Housing Problem l Her job is her life. So says every one. But somehow she shows up at Washington's most interesting din ners. looking as dainty and unper- turbed as the gardenias she wears. She gives small dinners herself. And that brings up her latest l problem. She has lived in the same spacious apartment here for 26 years. She has had the same three servants for 20 years. Now the building is being converted to business use. Mrs. Rogers has to