Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-14
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
HINDERED PROTECTION
Display Of Greater Force to Curb
Crowds Declared Impossible. :.
JOHNSON ALSO A WITNESS
Representative Describes Scenes
During Pageant-Senate In
quiry Will Last Until Extra =
Session Of Congress.

Much testimony favorable to the 20.
lice and some criticism of them was
given this morning before the Senate SUBJ
committee Investigating conditions sur
rounding the suffrage procession March 3.
DR.. Thomas Nelson Page and Repre-
sentative Albert johnson of Washington
We're the principal witnesses and re-
lated many facts tending to show the
police had been overwhelmed by the
crowd and had done their utmost to pro-
tect the suffragists.
The large number Of women and chill
dren in the crowd was mentioned by
number of witnesses as reason why
the police could not use more force
Replying to this claim, several of the
women testified that there were few
women and children. They showed photo
graphs Of the crowds, saying they proved
how few women there were in the crowdA
1t was indicated by Senator Jones that
the inquiry will not be completed until
the extra session OF Congress convenes
in April.
The session today was the longest yet
held, lasting until after 1 O'Clock. No
session was held this afternoon, but the
hearing will be resumed tomorrow at ~
o oclock.
Pomerene Arrives Late.
Senator Pomerene was not present
when the hearing was opened. but Sena-
tors Jones and Dillingham; proceeded
without him. Representative Johnson Of
Washington attended the hearing. Sena-
tor Pomerene arrived later.
There were few people present when
the hearing opened. bu the room filled up
later
| George n. Lesse. a lawyer. was the
| first witness, and testified as to the gem
eral good character OF the Washington
police force. He said he did not see the
suffrage procession.
| C. C. Lancaster, the next witness, de-
ciared that the grandstands along
Pennsylvania avenue were well filled. and
/ and streets were packed
"The police were pushing the crowd
| back gently" said Mr.. Lancaster. There
was nothing approaching violence until nth
| the many women and children and L
| heard many screams. The crowd was
very orderly"
Mr.. Lancaster said he was sure there
were many women in the crowd because
he noticed their hats
He caused laughter by stating that the
crowd could not have been gotten back
even by Senator ones eloquence. Tho
senator smilingly declared that he would
not advocate such a method under any
circumstances.
If the police had used violence there
would have been a great calamity, he
said. Senator Jones declared nobody had
| intimated that violence should have been
used.
DR.. Page on Stand.
Dr. Thomas Nelson Page was the next
witness. He said the press called him
IMAM of letters" but that he called
himself an author and scribbler.'' He
was chairman of the committee which
received President Wilson. he explained.
He told of arranging with Maj. Syl-
vester about the safe conduct Of the
President from the Union station to the
Shoreham Hotel. He had asked the
said. More than sixty regular foot police
men had been put on duty at the station
in addition to specials and mounted and
bicycle policemen.
procession. The crowd was very good
natured, and the only remarks were
made by women. he declared.
1.-The men seemed too much impressed
to make any criticism, he continued
He declared that members OF his family
had great difficulty i'm the crowd, but that
they had seen no reason to criticise the
police.
Dr. Page declared that Maj. Sylvester
seemed very much taken up with his
responsibilities in connection with the suf-
frage procession. He denied that the
major had in any way displayed any feel
ing that the procession was joke.
'I did not hear a single offensive re-
mark" he continued.
Praise for Sylvester.
81 have seen the police force In season
and out Of season, and have always
found it good. AS for the chief, know
of none better. All that the force lacks
is numbers"
additional precautions he thought should
be taken to prevent recurrence OF such
an outbreak.
He answered that he thought the line
that more policemen should have
been sworn I'm, and that the crowd at
vital points should have been limited.
In answer to a question by Senator
Pomersne he said he thought the
Avenue should have been cleared earlier.
DR. Page declared that he had long be-
lieved that the police force here should
be largely increased.
Senator Pomerene asked DR.. Page as he
was leaving in what capital he could bo
found IL wanted several weeks later.
It was an indirect reference to rumors
that DR.. Page was to be given diplo-
matte post.
"In the capital Of Washington DIR.
Page replied with a smile.
.I hope you also will have an Euro
pean address" observed Senator Pomer-
enc.
DIR. Page shook his head and laughed.
Avenue Crowded at 8 Pm.
Benjamin 8. Graves. president of the
Hayenner Baking Company, was the
next witness. He said there were SO
many people on the Avenue at 3 O'Clock
that IT could not have been closed with
S,,t brute force During the passage df
the procession the police worked hard,
and many flourished their sticks, he
said.
He declared that more than half OF
the crowd was composed Of women and
that there were also many children.
John r. Wright, one of the members
Of the public order committee. who
helped, in automobiles, to try to clear
the Avenue, was the next witness, Ha
told of the efforts to get the people off
the Avenue. He said that practically all
the policemen were working hard. but