The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1913-03-13
Chief SYLVESTER
JEERED BY WOMEN
Evidence Is Kissed at in SUI.
frage Quiz. .....
TELL OF LAX DISCIPLINE
Leaders Of Parade In Washington
Testify That Both Police and War
Department Ignored Pleas
for Protection.

Washington, March 10.-Leaders OF
the suffrage parade of March 8. which
was halted by disorder in the streets,
told the senate committee of investi-
cation how they tried to get protection
for the marchers.
Prior to their appearance on the
stand several witnesses testified in
defense of the police. When the testi-
mony OF the defenders OF the police
was at variance with statements made
by the suffragists numerous women
in the overcrowded committee room
jeered and Kissed the testimony.
At one point in the hearing the
chairman threatened TO clear the room
unless the Interruptions ceased.
Miss Alice Paul. chairman OF the
rade, testified that for more than
month she and her associates '*hom-
barded" Major Sylvester the chief of
police, and the war department in ef.
forts to insure protection for the pa
rade.
THE district authorities would refer
us TO the war department and the war
department would tell us that II there
was any trouble the fault would be
with the district authorities" she said
When the suffragists we're urging
Major Sylvester TO grant them per.
init to parade In Pennsylvania ave-
nue., Miss Paul declared, the superin-
tendent of police tried to dissuade
them. telling them he had too few men
10 afford propert protection.
"He told me the riff-ratf of the
south would be here for the Inaugural
ton when he opposed our marching
March ;, but after we got a permit
and we're, working to insure proper
protection he just said: oh, that will
be all right" Miss Paul said.
Chief Admits Police Laxity. r.' s.,
Chief Sylvester told the committee
that prior to the time Of the parade
he did not think the aid of troops was
necessary. ,... '..
Il believed the force I had placed
on the avenue sufficient" he said.
Then il the avenue was not prop
erly cleared by three O'Clock the day
of the parade, In your Judgment the
men and officers on duty did not do
their duty?" asked Chairman Jones.
Yes. sir. that is it," answered Ma
jor Sylvester. 81 was surprised and
shocked when 7 reached Pennsylvania
avenue, after escorting Mr.. Wilson to
his hotel, to find the crowd had over
flowed into the street all along the
line, instead Of only where the ropes
had broken" ....
Major Sylvester said he was at the
Union station to meet Mr.. Wilson
when he received word as to ccndi-
tons. He Immediately ordered cav
airy brought from Fort Myer.
The huge crowds, Major Sylvester
said. could hardly have been kept on
the sidewalks. but they could have
been held back far enough to allow the
parade to pass.
Called Men Henpeeked.
Maj. Gen. Arson Mills, retired, who
led one OF the divisions OF men in the
pdl duN, was lhuISIdhI pHdblC III
his characterization OF the unlocking
crowds and the police during the
march. .-.r,.
|. Crowds OF hoodlums," he said.
"sneered at my division in the parade
and made insulting remarks. The DO
lice made no effort to rebuke them.
They were rutfians whom | never had
seen and who seemed to be strangers.
I think they we're Baltimore hood
lums. ..
They charged US with being hen
pecked. They indicated their deter
miuation TO send us home by breaking
up the parade" go
Former Secretary OF War Stimson
detailed his conferences with police
officials and the suffragIst committee
on the request for regular troops to
aid the police. when the rumor that
the district police had said the pro-
lection OF the suffrage parade was up
to the war department" reached him,
Mr.. Stimson said, he ordered a troop
of cavalry held subject TO the order Of
Chief Sylvester. =, .Et . .-.s.'-
Even in allowing the use OF these
troops" said the former secretary,
the war department stretched its
powers under the law" H.
h. Women Say Preacher. Errs.
A defense OF the police was pre-.
sented by Rev. J. N. helms, who said
the crowd was good natured and the
police tried hard to keep back the
throngs aL. rr
Il have seen large crowds in every
European capital on all sorts OF impor-
tant occasions, but never saw a more
good.natured or better handled crowd"
said the preacher. -r@ " e,- t#
mo. That isn't true" came in
chorus from the crowd Of women In
the committee room.
I'VE are here TO investigate the dis
orders during the parade" said Chair
man Jones. "but II we cannot have or.
der we will have TO make an inyesti
CATION as to the causes OF disorder In
the antn M itfaa rf.nra